In my kitchen…
…is a large bunch of lime basil, a new variety in our garden. I really like the slight acidic tang, but Pete isn’t convinced…
In my kitchen…
…are cakes of Linda’s loofah soap. She very kindly sent us some last Christmas, and we liked it so much that we traded her chocolate for some more. It’s lovely bartering with friends from afar! Each cake of soap has a slice of loofah embedded in it, which makes it perfect for post-gardening hand washes…
Linda also included a jar of her green mango pickle in the package – it’s very addictive, and I’ve been scoffing it on rice…
In my kitchen…
…is a bottle of Mrs Ball’s chutney. This South African treat was a gift from our neighbour Brett who, having grown up in Zimbabwe and South Africa, is quite addicted to the preserve. When I admired it recently, he opened his cupboard stash and presented me with a bottle…
In my kitchen…
…is a box of chocolate thins, made from Cacao Barry Tanzanie 75%, which we’re slowly eating our way through…
In my kitchen…
…is a massive sourdough bake from Saturday – over two dozen swirls and rosette rolls. Sixteen went to the neighbours, and the rest were eaten over the weekend…
In my kitchen…
…are new containers from Ikea. They’re perfect for storing Priscilla (our sourdough starter) in, as the little pop vent allows any gas build-up to escape…
In my kitchen today…
…is my attempt at Heidi’s bears and bunnies in sourdough. I used a low hydration dough, and gave it a solid five minute knead to strengthen the dough, then attempted to follow Heidi’s instructions on creating a gluten coat. I was pretty pleased with the end result – the dough held its shape (roughly) and didn’t burst in the oven…
In case it’s of interest, here’s the formula I used:
- 150g ripe sourdough starter (fed at a ratio of equal parts flour to water by volume)
- 250g water
- 500g bakers/bread flour
- 9g fine sea salt
I must confess to retrofitting the eyes and nose of the bunny, as I’d been a little overzealous in poking the dried blueberries into the dough. (Small Girl has already come to pick him up!)
Here are the dough weights used for the rabbit:
- Body 150g
- Head 75g
- Legs 50g x 2
- Arms 25g x 2
- Ears 33g x 2
- Cheeks 3g x 2
Finally, not quite in my kitchen…
…but rather on our new outdoor table, are the pickings from last Saturday. It was raining heavily all day, but the vegetable crisper in the fridge was bare. So we rugged up in wet weather gear and went into the garden – as I said to Pete, “if we don’t pick, we don’t eat”.
In the middle of the photo is one of our turnip-rooted Hamburg parsley – they haven’t been a huge success, but the small roots they’ve grown have been quite delicious…
. . . . .
Tell me, what’s happening in your kitchen this month?
If you’d like to do an In My Kitchen post on your own blog, please feel free to do so. We’d love to see what’s happening in your kitchen this month! Please link back to this blog, and let us know when your post is up, and we’ll add it to our monthly listing.
. . . . .
Here are this month’s posts…
Sandy @ Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too
Elizabeth @ Mrs Thomasina Tittlemouse
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Well I made a sour dough starter made a lovely coffee cake but forgot to take a photo of it their still some in the fridge and I made elderberry jam and elderberry marmalade and made some cakes and biscuits for church last Sunday all wend down a storm
Wow Linda, you have been busy! That all sounds lovely.. :)
Your bears and bunnies are adorable Celia. All proudly South African at the moment seeing a bottle Of Mrs Balls in your kitchen. Wondering if I should tell you it comes in a variety of flavours…
Have a super day Celia.
:-) Mandy xo
Mandy, it’s delicious! Don’t tell me (and more importantly, don’t tell Brett!) about the different flavours! :) Thank you – hope you’re enjoying the start to the weekend! xx
What a wonderful idea to barter with other bloggers. That bread bunny is darling.
Connie, thank you! I would happily barter with Linda any day of the week. We’ll probably make Australia Post rich in the process.. ;-)
Swaps with freinds are definitely fun – love the concept.
and Hamburg Parsley eh?! I must try it again, not sure it likes my heavy clay soil though…..
Claire, I was told it should grow into a long carrot like root, but it’s just made little balls like mini celeriacs. They’re very flavoursome though, so I think we’ll keep planting them!
Ahh, my husband is also from South Africa and boy do I know that chutney well! How funny! He’s been trying to make it himself as it’s quite $$$ over here!
I’m intrigued by your lime basil- I’ve never heard of this variety before. I bet it would taste lovely in curries! And I love your bread bear and bunny. Too cute!
Fantastic kitchen as always Celia! :) xx
Seems that Mrs Ball’s is legendary, Em! And the lime basil is very nice indeed, although we probably won’t grow it again, as Pete wasn’t a huge fan. And regular basil grows brilliantly in our yard!
Hi Celia, your bear and rabbit are very cute. I am also a fan of Mrs Ball’s chutney, I have a bottle in the cupboard. Maus’ brother introduced us to it. He used to work in the mines and came accross it during one of his contracts.
Glenda, thank you, the bear and rabbit were fun, if a little nerve-wracking, to make. I kept thinking they’d explode in the oven, and I’d end up with bread roadkill.. ;-)
I love the bear and the rabbit, too. They’re super adorable :)
Thanks Tes! They were great fun to make! :)
I like the sound of lime basil. I have never heard of it…I will be on the lookout.
Deb, I hope you find some. You’ll definitely be able to find seed, if not seedlings.. xx
Loving the bread critters:) I need to get some chocolate in the house again, dark. Have a Great One!
Thanks Renee, you too! We’ve almost eaten our way through that box, so it’s time to temper more chocolate, I think!
What wonders you keep in your kitchen Celia!
Clare, thank you! Whereas yours is filled with gorgeous bread this month! :D
That turnip rooted parsley sounds really interesting, and I am definitely with you on lime basil — it’s the cat’s pajamas.
Siobhan, I wish Pete was with me too, but he isn’t, so I doubt we’ll grow it again. It was fun to experiment though! :)
You did so well with your bunny and your bear. They are gorgeous. I bet the little girl was really delighted. Those soaps look really good and I love how you are bartering – it’s a great way to live. Do you neighbours line up outside your kitchen window every Saturday for their fresh bread?
Charlie love, they don’t line up, we deliver. :) Hope the week has gone well – will give you a call.. xx
A Priscilla bunny is so much more me than a choccy bunny! I’d have eaten the jar of green mango pickle in a week or less :) The Universe delivered a gift to my kitchen via the G.O. this week. He went to the car park to get something from his ute and came back with a never used ceramic tagine that had been added to large rubbish items for collection pile. I’ve been wanting one but cupboard space is an issue… I made room :)
EllaDee!!! Please take a photo to show us!! I can’t imagine finding an unused tagine – is it decorated or plain? As you can tell, I’m quite excited for you.. ;-)
I would love a taste of that mango pickle – must be incredibly good! And your teddy bear is the cutest bread ever! Still tempted to try it…
Great round up, Celia! I am not too comfy in my new kitchen yet, so many things we need to change about it, but it all waits for the old home to sell (can you tell I’m getting a tiny bit anxious? ;-)
Oh, I hope it sells soon, Sally! I didn’t realise you were still waiting on it…
The mango pickle is divine – I have to stop myself eating it at every meal! :)
hello, and happy March…..Oh and welcome bunny. By Easter it will be perfect, you mark my words. ive never seen balls chutney although it seems I should as its so popular. This rain should spur on a bit of extra growth for your vegies. I will have to try that new basil you have, lime you say?.
Hello love, what gorgeous things you’ve been making in your kitchen this month! The Mrs Ball’s is very good indeed, and the rain has been great, but we’ve had just about enough now, thank you.. ;-)
LIME basil, how interesting, Celia! Love the bunny and the bear! Clever Celia and Heidi!
Heidi really is the star, Lizzy! She wrote a couple of very clear tutorials, which make the shaping doable – not a doddle, mind you – but achievable!
Celia, I do love your bunny and bear – especially their little belly-buttons. So cute!
Amanda, thank you! Heidi’s instructions were great, and the belly button was definitely prescribed! :)
You have such discipline to be eating your way slowly through that chocolate! I have either lemon or lime basil in the garden. It does add a delicious tang. Priscilla’s offspring is bubbling away in front of me – first bake tomorrow.
Jo, how exciting! Thank you for taking care of her – hope you have fun with your sourdough! Have you picked a name yet? ;-)
Interesting things in your kitchen, as always! Lovely veggies!
I am transplanting my tomatoes right now. The peppers are doing well. Then I have to start some more seeds! Spring is coming here!
Manuela, and so the world turns. We are overcast and gloomy and wet, given that we had our first day of Autumn yesterday. Your turn now! Enjoy! :)
Another wonderful tour of your garden Celia! I love the bunny bread – so cute. Lime basil is yet another herb I’ve never heard of but it sounds rather interesting. I might have to buy Kevin one of those containers.
Claire, the Ikea containers have been great – we used to have to release gas from Priscilla’s container all the time, but now we just leave the little vent popped open.
The chocolate is superb. Trouble with things like that is that they spoil you! I’m a lime basil addict. It goes really well in fish cakes (Very Herby Salmon Patties are a regular in our house), and in marinades for seafood. It’s great in Dolmades , and in most Asian style stir fries, and in anything Mexican, and in a favourite this time of year Sweet Corn, Chili and Lime pikelets. I love the idea of those containers too – My sourdough culture is in a container with the lid screwed on loosely so it can bubble, and it is always at risk of being spilt.
Linda, let me know if you’d like me to pick you up a container next time I’m at Ikea – I can’t imagine you’ve got one close by.. :) Thanks for the recipes, although we’ll have to try them with regular basil, as I’m not sure we’ll be growing the lime basil again (generally we need 50% of the family to like something before we make it a permanent fixture in the garden. Chard was the exception – we made everyone like that, as it’s too easy to grow!).. :)
Your bunny bread (or bear bread? :) ) is gorgeous! I am so impressed. It looks like another great month around your place – I will be linking in next week.
Kari, look forward to peeking into your kitchen this month! :)
‘Tis up :) http://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2013/03/in-my-kitchen-march-2013.html
Ok Celia, I’ve done it. First post in 10 weeks and it’s all about sour dough and linked to In My Kitchen. Better go have a lie down now. I’m exhausted! Lots of lovely gorgeous things in your kitchen…
Thanks love! Your sourdough loaves have been amazing!!
I’ve not heard of lime basil before, but it sounds wonderful! I’ve been processing heaps of our garden bounty into family meal sized bottles and bags, ready for winter- whew, hard work indeed Celia! xo
Becca, you’re so disciplined with that – we’re just counting on there being leafy greens in winter! Having said that, I do have several packets of grated zucchini in the freezer – thanks for the tip! :)
Can’t believe is the 1st of march! That mango pickle here in South Africa we call that atchaar,it is really nice,if you like spicy stuff,I’m so glad that you enjoy mrs balls’s chutney,
Love the bear and the rabbit. Thanx for letting us in your kitchen
Sponge, thank you! There is an Asian pickle called achar as well – they probably all have Indian roots… :)
Another interesting glimpse into your kitchen, Celia. Your Bunny & Teddy bread look great! They would be a hit at every holiday’s kiddie table. And thanks for the tip on the sourdough starter container. I’ve been wanting to go out to Ikea and now I actually have a good reason to go. :)
John, I have mixed emotions about Ikea. There is always something interesting and clever there to buy, but it’s such a big expedition, and if we spend longer than a couple of hours in there, I start to lose my will to live.. ;-)
Love your kitchen at the moment: the lime basil and the loofah soap head the parade and I love those Ikea containers [Eha, down, you have enough plain ones!].
Now, a wee bit of help, please, Celia! My Northwestern delivery in hand [thrilled] and have just bought a couple of kilos [let’s begin small, lady!] of ‘strong, protein enriched bread flour’. OK: a couple of very busy weeks ahead and I want to enjoy this – how do I keep the cultures alive until I can devote time – just dry indoors or store them in the fridge?
Eha, I would be inclined to keep it in the fridge until you have a chance to rehydrate it. It’s very exciting – can’t wait to see how you go with it! :)
Done and dusted, beautiful lady! Thanks and a hug :0 !
Enjoy the chutney, it’s amazing! Love the rabbit and I’ve never seen lime basil here :)
Tandy, thank you – I think the lime basil is something you’d find in seed form rather than seedling – it’s not that common!
That loofah soap looks really great! Nothing more annoying that left over tiny bits of soap. This would completely solve that problem. I simply must have some, or make some! I recently bought a lime verbena plant. Just subtly different to lemon verbena.
Indian basil/Tulsi is great in green juice. It has a slight floral taste and goes well with cucumber and celery juice giving it just a bit of sweetness. It does not work in Italian dishes like the regular basil. It took me a while to work out what to do with Tulsi. I was not keen on using it for tea.
Today I bought some gubinge powder. No idea what it is but it would be a shame to have lived and never tasted gubinge. It has an interesting aroma.
Frances, the loofah soap really is wonderful! And we planted a lemon verbena tree last year in a big pot, and it’s just started flowering! :)
I just love the shaped breads. And continue to be envious of the produce from your garden. I am now off to Ikea to get one of those containers for my nameless starter.
Tania, thank you – they were great fun to make! And the container is working well for my starter at the moment – I just leave the little button popped open. It’s actually there to let steam out when the container is used in the microwave…
Mrs Ball’s is an iconic South African brand! :) I can imagine that basil would make very nice pesto? My camera is ready for collection, hopefully I will get it next week and I’ll be back in action!
Looking forward to it, Sue! I was really excited when Brett gave me the Mrs Ball’s – we were at their place for brunch, and found ourselves slathering it all over our bacon and eggs…
Lovely post, your root parsley is bigger than ours was, a total fail here. Lying in bed thinking about attempting chocolate easter eggs, bit ambitious on my part, but visualising all your beautiful chocolate posts. Maybe I should try bread rabbits instead :) xx
The parsley root didn’t turn out as we thought it would either – it was supposed to make long carrot like roots. Ah well, it tasted very nice nonetheless! :)
Dear Celia,
I guess you’re not called the village baker for no good reason – I can imagine myself with slathering those awesome sourdough with butter. The harvest looks really fresh and I am a chilli fiend and the bird eyes caught my eye.
Thanks Chopinand! I’m not sure the chillies are actually bird eyes – they’re not nearly that hot! I can’t remember planting them, so they might be some mutant variety…
Just read an interesting South African recipe for that bottle of chutney. Thought you might be interested to check this out.
http://bamskitchen.com/mains/beef/south-african-bobotie/
Thanks Chopinand!
Was intrigued by Linda’s loofah soap, will pop over to her blog to check it out. Your parsley root looks like celeriac, did you use the whole root and what did it taste like?
Norma, it was quite a lot like celeriac, although much smaller! We don’t have a lot of luck with celeriac here, but these little parsley roots weren’t nearly as gnarly, so we didn’t have to peel much off. It was delicious, and tasted a lot like parsley! :)
I am surely going to pull up my parsley at the end of the season to see if I too have a root like yours.
Did you eat the parsley root? If so, how? I am a big fan of chutneys and pickles, esp. those from around the world. Lucky you!
Is it March already?!
Pamela, we peeled the little root and added it to soup – even though it was small, it had quite a strong parsley flavour. I think we’ll definitely be growing them again. And yes, it’s March already!! :)
Hi Celia, Here is the link to my post.
http://passionfruitgarden.com/2013/03/01/in-my-kitchen-march-2013/
Thanks love! xx
That lime basil sounds intriguing – might be an interesting addition to roast chicken. What have you been doing with the parsley roots? I had a delicious parsley root soup by mistake a few years ago (mistranslated menu said it was parsley soup), but unfortunately they are not a common sight in the vege section of our local supermarket so I’ve been unable to make my own.
Finally got around to doing another IMK post myself! http://fullheartedlife.com/?p=130
Kate, thanks for playing! We used our parsley roots in soup as well.. :)
I really need to get one of those containers now that I’ve committed to my sourdough starter! :D
Just let me know whenever you’re ready to pick it up, and I’ll feed some up for you! :)
I so wish I was your neighbor…perhaps I could have a cup of tea with a taste of one of your wonderful breads that are “in your kitchen”.
Karen, that would be great fun! We could dismember bread creatures and dip them in roasted pumpkin oil! :)
[…] us at Celia’s blog, for a list of kitchens around the […]
Celia- Your kitchen is always a delight- basil, bread, chocolate, soap, jars of goodies from afar- but I have to say- MY favorite are your sculpted breads!
You did such a great job- I love the ruffly look of the sourdough bear and rabbit!
Thanks so much for trying them- I’m glad the tutorial was helpful!
I put up an IMK post, as well!
Heidi, you wrote wonderful instructions, thank you! I knew they wouldn’t be quite as good in sourdough, but I really wanted to practice shaping the gluten coat as you’d instructed!
I love the look of Linda’s loofah soap, how lovely!
Lots of great things happening in your kitchen lately Celia…actually I think it’s always lovely :-)
(IMK post up soon.)
Brydie, hooray! Thanks for joining in, I love peeking in your kitchen! xx
[…] a look at the lovely Celia’s kitchen for other kitchen […]
I love that Mrs Balls Chutney – it is simply the best!! My post is up: http://www.pinkpolkadotfood.com/in-my-kitchen-in-march-2013/
Zirkie, lovely things in your kitchen this month! :)
That loofah soap is such a good idea for a keen gardener! I do love your teddies and bunnies, just such perfect shapes!
Thanks Caroline! I’ve been having fun with Heidi’s bread shapes! :)
Hi Celia, I have been wondering why you called your blog ‘Fig Jam and Lime Cordial’?
Here you are, Granny.. :)
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/09/07/fig-jam/
You know I’ve never even heard of the colloquialism for FIG before now. I just assumed (and rightly so) you had made a batch of fig jam and lime cordial and it was of course the most obvious choice. Thank you Celia :-)
Another month has flown by. Here is my March In My Kitchen… http://annashortcakes.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/in-my-kitchen-march-2013/
Thanks Anna! :)
What a truly wonderful collection – I can’t let my kids see the teddy bear loaf, or I’ll be up making it all night! Lots of love X X X
Oz, your kids would love them! And Heidi’s instructions make them all quite easy! :)
Celia can you please tell me how long you can save home made pectin ……made from your recipe in the freezer and in jars ???? I used crab apples mostly & added 4 unripe granny smiths to it and got 1600ml saving it in 100ml containers 150ml containers & 300ml containers,have frozen all this time but next year may do both…xo thanks
Marilyn, I left you a reply yesterday to the comment you left on the Anish Kapoor post. Thanks!
PS. More details about keeping times can actually be found in the first paragraph of our Homemade Pectin post:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/03/09/homemade-pectin/
I wanna play too, please Celia! xox
Yaaay!!! :)
Ooops, http://intolerantchef.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/in-my-kitchen-march-edition.html
[…] again I’m joining in with Celia’s In My Kitchen where bloggers around the world link to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial to give a peek into their […]
Goodness Celia, after scrolling though all those comments I must be very late. March always arrives unexpectedly!
More delicious things in your kitchen as ever; I love the bread and chocolate. In fact I’ve drooled over so many of your chocolate photos that I’ve just signed up to go on a Chocolate making course in May.
Does the turnip-rooted hamburg parsley taste of parsley or turnips? Or both?
My IMK post is up.Thanks for letting us all join in. Anne x
Anne, they taste like parsley! They’re celeriac like in texture too. I love them, but they seem to take ages and grow small bulbs – must look at how we can do better with them. Love what’s in your kitchen this month, but then again, I always do! :)
I am in love with that bear. When I finally have a kitchen again, I shall try my hand at making one. :)
Misky, I’m sure your bears will be gorgeous, and your grandkids will love them! :)
Hello Celia. It looks like another tasty, interesting and productive month in your kitchen. I have not seen lime basil, it sounds beautiful. Your bread swirls and animals are amazing…my children loved the look of the bear bread in the photo! I am impressed with your garden harvest too, so much colour and freshness, it doesn’t get any better does it?
Better late than never with my post this month, it is linked. Thank you once again for allowing us all to share our kitchens with the world x
Jane, I REALLY like the lime basil, but Pete didn’t like it in pesto very much. I’m going to try them in Asian dishes as Linda suggested. Your kitchen is looking sparkling this month! :)
So many delicious items but the ” bread teddy” has stolen my heart ;)
Thank you – he’s very cute! I have a couple more small friends to make him for…
That teddy bear bread is sooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could anyone ever eat him!!!!
Oh Sandy, maybe that’s how we grown-ups feel, but the littlies just pulled him apart limb from limb.. ;-)
hahahaha that’s too funny! I’m glad they enjoyed it! :-)
A delicious feast of goodies in your kitchen as always, Celia. You always do amazing things with dough and I’d love to hear more about the Hamburg parsley – I’ve not encountered that before.
Thanks Chris! I bought the Hamburg parsley seeds from New Gippsland Seeds – https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2011/09/26/new-seeds/
They’ve been a moderate success – very tasty, but I certainly didn’t get the long carrots I thought we were going to end up with! :)
All your bartering and sharing food with neighbours sounds like you have built a wonderful community around you and that food is part of the community – sadly my neighbours that I spend most time with aren’t keen on sharing my food for allergies and dietary reasons. Love the bear and bunny – and if I get motivated to make sourdough I must remember the little pop tubs tip!
I have done an In My Kitchen post at http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/in-my-kitchen-march-2013.html
Your kitchen is always exciting Celia! I love the sound of the lime basil. And presents for one’s kitchen from other kitchen-lovers are always just the best! Sorry, I am a bit late to the party with my IMK post again but have posted it today! E x
[…] at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial hosts a sharing of posts each month title ‘In My Kitchen’ and I like to join in and also read […]
Such fun things again! Those soaps are fabulous :)
Thanks JJ! Linda is very clever!
Hello Celia
I’d like to give sourdough spelt a try and was wondering if I just follow your recipe for sourdough starter but substitute spelt flour instead. And, do I then follow your recipe for sourdough bread substituting spelt flour? Many thanks, Bronwen
Bronwen, spelt can be a very different kettle of fish to deal with, and varies enormously from batch to batch. I’ve made spelt loaves that have risen beautifully, and others than have been as heavy as rocks, because the flour has been quite low protein. The only thing you can do is experiment. Do you have a sourdough starter already or are you planning to buy one or make one?
I’ve never tried feeding a starter with spelt, so have no idea how it would go – even when I was making spelt breads (I don’t anymore as I can’t source spelt I’m happy with), I would always use a bakers flour fed starter.
The only thing I’ve heard which might be of help is that spelt doesn’t like to be too wet.
Good luck, sorry I can’t be of more help!
Celia
Thank you for your wonderfully prompt response. No, I’ve not got a sourdough starter and thought I would follow your recipe. I might do a bit of experimenting – trying both a spelt starter and a bakers’ flour starter and see what happens! I’ve been eating a spelt grain bread from a bakery in SA and thought I’d have a go at making myself. Recently I’ve found that wheat breads have not been agreeing with me…
thank you again, for your help.
cheers
Bronwen
Bronwen, sorry for the confusion, I don’t have a recipe for making a sourdough starter, I bought mine. I’ll drop you an email.
Have just done March for in my Kitchen!
http://sandysveganblogsandblahs.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/in-my-kitchen-march-favourites.html
Thanks :-)
[…] up with Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial who started the In My Kitchen series. Click on through to see what other bloggers have in their kitchens this […]