In my kitchen…
…are hot cross buns. This year, I made both yeasted and sourdough versions…
In my kitchen…
…is Mrs M’s old salt holder, filled with Maldon Sea Salt Flakes…
In my kitchen…
…is also my latest discovery – Olsson’s Pure Sea Salt. Bread baking needs quite a lot of salt, and the brand I was using had been discontinued, so I was overjoyed when Pierre from Pepe Saya Butter put me onto Olsson’s. Not only is it made in Australia and completely additive-free, but it also costs under $2 a kilo!
For some reason, it’s not readily available in the large supermarkets, but it can be bought (somewhat surprisingly) in Chinese supermarkets and at Southern Cross Supplies…
The medium grained cooking salt is perfect for our kitchen, but there are rock and fine table salts available as well…
In my kitchen…
…are yet more tromboncinos, zucchini, chillies and snake beans from our garden…
In my kitchen…
…are recent purchases from Lario International, where my friend Tania works. The truffled anchovies (on the left) are quite nice and make a lovely addition to pizza.
Garum (on the right) is a fermented fish sauce which has been around for centuries – it was used as a condiment in Ancient Rome and Greece. It’s incredibly potent and salty – not for the faint-hearted, nor the hypertensive. Even I struggled with it (and I’m pretty good with fish guts), but Pete took one whiff and suggested we use it to chum the sea. Having said all that, I was absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to try it…
In my kitchen…
…was a large sourdough bake from a couple of weeks ago – the rolls were made with a mix of bakers and Type 00 flour, and the loaves with Italian Buratto flour (post to follow)…
The following week, I made these rolls by shaping sourdough into balls and dipping them into a bowl of poppy seeds, before stamping them firmly. They were delicious, but there are now little black seeds in every nook and cranny of my kitchen…
In my kitchen…
…is a batch of gluten-free chestnut brownies, baked for my young friend Anni. I met her at the bus stop to deliver them…
In my kitchen…
…is a gorgeous gift from Emilie at The Clever Carrot! I’ve been longing for a set of Anthropologie measuring spoons ever since reading about them on Smidge’s blog a couple of years ago, and let out a loud squeal of delight when I opened Em’s generous gift…
On Easter Sunday, I used the measuring spoons when I was making these tiger cakes…
In my kitchen…
…is my latest breakfast pick-me-up – a chocolate shot made with 70% dark chocolate and boiling water, whizzed together. It keeps me going all morning!
. . . . .
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…
Catherine @ Cate’s Cates (first IMK post!)
Vaishali @ Holy Cow Vegan (first IMK post!)
Sandy @ Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too!
Liz @ Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things
Nupur @ One Hot Stove (first IMK post!)
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
Ella @ Mulberry and Pomegranate
Judy @ Savoring Today (first IMK post!)
Misky @ Misk Cooks (she’s renovating her kitchen!)
Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots
Lisa @ Gourmet Wog (first IMK post!)
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Celia! I’m so glad that you like the spoons :) Looking at them again makes me want another pair! Your bread looks amaaaaazing. I’ve been wanting to test out rolls (sorry to hear about all of those seeds everywhere!) Looking forward to your next bread post :) xx
Emilie, I am SO enamored with them, I can’t tell you! They’re hanging up where I can see them while I cook. Thanks again! xx
What a happy happy Easter post to read this morning. (everyone is still asleep). I can just smell the bread baking! What a lovely gift from Em.. you’ll think of her every time you use them:) They’re happy making spoons! xx Happy Easter! xx
Smidge, when I first saw Anthropologie spoons on your Christmas post all those years ago, I nearly ordered them, but never got around to them. I was so touched when they arrived from Em! Hope you’ve had a lovely Easter break! xx
Your bread is fabulous, as always, and the seeded rolls made Mr Misk drool. His absolute favourite bread. I’m trying hard to think of what I can post for my In My Kitchen this month but it is a bit difficult! :). Happy Easter, Celia.
Misky, surely you get to take a month off, since what’s in your kitchen at the moment is dust and debris? ;-) The poppy seed rolls are fun to make, but as I was pouring the seeds into a bowl, I thought, “gee, they flow like the sea..”. And they really do go everywhere! :)
I might just have a little something for you today! ;)
Misky, look forward to seeing it! :) But no dramas if you don’t get around to it, of course.. x
Right’o! :D
so beautiful and so delicious… Thank you dear Celia, have a nice April, love, nia
Thanks Nia! Hope you had a fabulous Easter!
In my kitchen in Vergemoli we finally have a telephone and Wifi….and the heating works…I have a warm house! I made a ricotta torte to celebrate and we entertained our first guests.
Deb, heating! That’s wonderful – you won’t see steam rising from the top of your head anymore!! :)
Good salt for under $2 and those measuring spoons! How cute are they. All your baking makes me want to head to the kitchen to get more practice.
Maureen, I’ve seen your cakes, you certainly don’t need practice, love. The salt is a really good find, I was very pleased…
Fantastic – I always love what emerges from your kitchen. Those hot cross buns in particular look scrummy!
Thanks Nick! How’s the sourdough baking going?
IT’s not quite – the starter is still alive and kicking an I’ve been making many pancakes, but simply haven’t the time to do a loaf at the mo, plus I want to get a couple of bread makers’ baskets!
LOL! It’s still March here! I was born about 10 miles from Maldon Sea Salt and, in my youth, canoed and sailed past there. Of course I didn’t know my salts then!
I love the poppy seeded rolls, though I’ve stopped using the seeds because of the awful mess they make!
Pat, I’m quite shortsighted, and the damn poppy seeds look like little ants rolling over the bench. They literally go everywhere – it takes weeks to finally get them out of the kitchen! :)
It’s still the 31st March here in darkest Africa! I am going to put an IMK together, first one for 2013….I’ve missed doing them. My most recent post features my take on your friend Genie’s Zucchini Slice, I’ve made it with cubed ham but have yet to try it with bacon. Such a versatile recipe, the day I did it I only had 4 eggs and it worked perfectly.
Sue, I’m so happy you tried Genie’s slice! She was a very dear friend, and it’s lovely to think her recipe is spreading around the globe! Thank you.. xx
So much baking. Is your oven ever allowed to go cold? You should get an Agar stove – they stay on permanently. I love your spoons – they look so cheerful. I’m certainly not coveting that fishy jar thingy – I can just imagine the smell as you lift the lid! Each to his own. Your hot cross buns look very special xx
Thanks Charlie. The oven does get a lot of use – we’ve replaced both fan elements twice, the fans once, and the seals once! Still haven’t been able to bring myself to do anything with the garum..
Beautiful bread and hot cross buns – I was lazy this year and made not-cross-buns without the piping! I must get round to blogging your amazing tiger cake recipe, I made it ages ago and still haven’t talked about it!
Caroline, your not cross buns looked fantastic! :)
What fabulous finds this month Celia! I didn’t think that the Garum would be that strong but it sounds like it’s the kind of ingredient that you use very, very sparingly! :D
Lorraine, it’s not often that something stymies me, as you know, but I made the mistake of tasting it straight off the spoon, and then felt refluxy for hours afterwards. I’m too scared to try again.. ;-)
Love those spoons Celia – they are gorgeous. Thanks for the tip about the salt too – will keep an eye out for it.
Amanda, surprisingly hard to find a reasonably priced salt here – the Saxa brand that all the supermarkets sell seem to have “anti-caking agents” added, which I try to avoid!
I am going to sound awfully rude [my apologies!] and admit I only really had eyes for the truffled anchovies and the garum. The first I would love myself. Garum: such a fabulously interesting sauce to have – if anyone has the slightest interest in food history, please, please > THE SILK ROAD GOURMET, one of the most interesting blogs to read and study. The story of garum is documented most wonderfully there by Laura Kelley: another extraordinary teacher like you!
Eha, the garum is REALLY interesting, and I loved trying it, I just didn’t really love the taste, if that makes sense. I might warm to it eventually, although unlikely Pete ever will! ;-)
The spoons are gorgeous! I bet Jo would love their woof plate………looks just like Zeb.
Elaine, I try hard to refrain from browsing the Anthropologie catalogue – too many tempting things! :D
Now I know what my mornings need… a chocolate shot! I’m so in awe of your baking Celia. I only wish I had more people to feed so I could bake more regularly. Kevin came up to the beach with us for Easter and had his first go at entertaining. I’m also excited to tell you that he has a daughter Rosie and a son Fred!
Claire, that’s wonderful news!! Thanks for letting me know! :)
Your kitchen is wonderful Celia. I’ll go looking for the salt up here. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I’ve been introducing my Mum to the joy of your blog and recipes via her new iPad.
Jo, hope you find it – Maldon salt is lovely, but waaay too expensive for use in bread! Thanks for telling your mum about us! :)
At this point, if I didn’t see an assortment of freshly baked breads & rolls, not to mentions a few tromboncinos, I’d think I was in the wrong kitchen. Thanks for giving us another glimpse behind the magic curtain, Celia.
John, I know, I’m getting boring! :) But truly, that’s what’s in my kitchen – and the tromboncinos just keep going and going. Snake beans are nearly finished now.. :)
Boring? Heavens no! I think it wonderful that your garden is producing so well and that you have such mad baking skills.
I wish you lived closer so that I could share! :) x
The bread rolls look so tasty and how beautiful are those measuring spoones.
In my kitchen I have the sourdough starter which I received from Northwest sourdough a week ago I am just waiting to bake the first loaves. In my kitchen is a new attachment for my kitchen machine , a mincer I have wished one for a long time , but after buying some mince in the supermarket the other day and finding that it had a pink looking layer of meat at the top and a browner looking layer underneath the purchase was made.
Helle, I know how you feel – we make all our own mince as well, and when I pull it out of the freezer now, it’s always bright red! :)
lots of amazing things coming out of your kitchen Celia! Those little spoons are gorgeous :-)
Brydie, aren’t they just the cutest thing? I’m very taken with them.. :)
What an abundance this month. I love using our local sustainable salt :)
Tandy, I’m glad you have access to local salt too. Sometimes it takes a while, but it’s always so rewarding when we can find the right produce to suit our needs, isn’t it?
All of your rolls look absolutely fabulous. I’m good on hot cross buns but my plain rolls need some work. Do you use your regular white sourdough recipe? Do the seeded ones stay crispy? I don’t have a solution to the seed problem. After a big bake day I can skate on the seeds on my kitchen floor.
Liz, I use my shaping dough recipe:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2011/08/24/playing-with-bread/
The seeded rolls do stay crunchy, as do all of them, because I bake them for quite a long time – 20 minutes on 220C with fan, followed by an additional 15 – 20 minutes on 175C with fan to set the crust. Sometimes they’re a little too crunchy, but I really like them that way.
The poppy seeds are such a pain in the kitchen, but sometimes they’re worth the trouble. If only they didn’t look so much like small ants, and fit so well into the grout between the tiles! :D
Thanks for the link and the baking instructions. I’ve got some spare baking time tomorrow so will give them a go. Now to get to Sydney and get some of those cute cutters!
Liz, the stamps are really great – they’re not cheap, but they’re simple to use, and the rolls that we end up with make us look clever! ;-)
[…] things about joining in a global event like the ‘In My Kitchen’ series, hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial is that, not only do the seasons get muddled by the food available, but even the actual […]
Hi Celia, you have a wonderful friend there to send you those gorgeous measuring spoons! And $2 a kilo for quality pure sea salt?! A bargain!!
Celia, its is my first In My kitchen post and I (hope) ive correctly linked it back to you? I don’t know what I’m doing with this blogging business lol
here it is to be added to your blogroll :
http://gourmetwog.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/in-my-kitchen-april-2013/
Lisa, hooray, thanks for joining in! :)
[…] now and one of my favourite blogs is by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Every month she hosts a ‘Whats in my kitchen’ and its usually the post I look forward to the most. It’s pretty much a nice sticky beak into […]
Celia, those measuring spoons are gorgeous, what a lovely gift. Your bread is, as always, smashing.
Here is the link to my IMK post: http://passionfruitgarden.com/2013/04/01/in-my-kitchen-april-2013/
lots of love G
Thanks darling! I’m almost a little scared to look at your post, because I always wonder what I’m going to be tempted to buy next.. hehehe.. xx
Oh…your beautiful breads! I would love to be in your kitchen when you had them baking.
Karen, come anytime! Bring scallops! :D
I now pronounce you, “Angel of the Kitchen” What lovely, delicious things!
I’ve been puttering around with Pinterest recipes for the crock pot. So far the best has been rice pudding = all the Noms!
We made a Pinterest recipe white chocolate popcorn treat for the hub to take to work. It was horrible and soggy. :-( We have a big leftover bag of it in the fridge that I will most likely toss.
Most of the veg and herbs are in. The first tiny artichoke is just peeping out. Spring is in full force. Hugs from California, Maz
Maz, that’s lovely, look forward to seeing all the edible treasures your garden produces! And can I just say… Wondercon! How exciting would that have been!!
Wondercon was great fun… not as manic crazy as the San Diego ComicCon. It was more relaxed and less Hollywood. Looking forward to tomatoes! Maz.
Thoroughly enjoyed your post. Is there a difference in taste and texture between the yeasted and sourdough versions of the hot cross buns?
Norma, thank you – the SD ones are richer and more complex in flavour, and definitely the preferred option here. They take longer to make though! :)
I love all the contents of your kitchen, especially the tiger loaf! Happy Easter, past.
Thanks Oz! Hope you had a wonderful Easter as well!
I just love those breads and the hot cross buns!! I will post my IMK tomorrow!
Look forward to it, Zirkie! :)
Always some surprises in store with an IMK Celia :) That salt sounds like a real find, how frustrating that it’s not so easy to find. I have some of that garum as well and use tiny amounts in stews and casseroles as seasoning base the way I would use anchovies. Yummo! Thanks for the tour sweetie xox
Becca, it’s one of those things, isn’t it? You read about garum, and then get the chance to try it – how could I (or you) pass it up? The truffled anchovies are yum too! When are you coming up to play? :)
Maybe for the food and wine show at the end of June- if I’m lucky!
I loved your tromboncinos they were fantastic yummy delicious. Yews Olssons salt is great. You dont see it much strangely but I think you can buy it easy enough commercially. Love all of your bread!!!!. Don’t be such a pussy with that garum
Pussy is such a hard word.. ;-)
Chestnut brownies! What a brilliant notion. That hot chocolate drink looks rather brilliant too, as do your hot cross buns and various rolls. Sounds delicious at your end :)
My post will come later this month – I’m pondering what will go in it!
Thanks Kari! The chestnut brownies are always a big hit, and the hardest part of making them is tracking down the chestnut flour! Look forward to peeking in your kitchen! :)
I’ve just posted my April peek :) http://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2013/04/in-my-kitchen-april-2013.html
So delighted to find your blog! In My Kitchen is such a fun idea too, I would love to join in — inviting someone into my kitchen (my favorite place) is personal and I love seeing what is in everyone else’s kitchens too. Thanks for being so open to invite. :)
Judy, we would love to see what’s in your kitchen! There’s no fixed format, it’s completely up to you! Please just let us know when you write it and we’ll add it to the list – oh, and please link back so your readers can see what’s in everyone else’s kitchen too! :)
Hi Celia, here it is: http://savoringtoday.com/2013/04/03/in-my-kitchen-april-2013/ What a ton of fun putting it together too! Thanks for letting me play along. :)
Judy, that’s fantastic, thanks for joining in!
[…] join the group fun, just pop over the Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for info on “In My […]
Here’s mine for April. http://miskcooks.com/2013/04/02/in-my-kitchen-april-home-improvements/
Thanks Misky! :)
Celia, those poppy seeds buns… oh my! And the chestnut brownie… *drooling*
Lizzy, you must use poppy seeds all the time in Hungarian cooking! Any secrets on managing them? :) xx
Love poppy seeds, but haven’t used them as much as mum did.
Beautiful spoons, what a way to go with breakfast-pick me ups, snake beans – something I’ve always wanted to grow. So much to see and do !
Claire, this is our first year growing snake beans, and we’re absolutely in love with them!
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2013/02/10/celebrating-the-year-of-the-snake/
Celia, you always have such beautiful things in your kitchen. It’s good to see some good old Essex sea salt and amazing that your tromboncinos are still going strong. I wonder if any of your errant poppy seeds will germinate. You never know, if one has rolled into a dark corner you may be able to show us your poppy crop in a future IMK post!
Anne, the REAL problem with poppy seeds is that I’m short-sighted, so I keep thinking they’re ants! :) We adore your Essex salt – isn’t it amazing how it’s become a staple all over the world! x
[…] to embrace the “retreat” lifestyle permanently, and invisibly accompanies me… in my: kitchen; garden; weather; insects; wildlife; nature; ideas, food; thoughts, words, goals and walks […]
so much wonderful baking in your kitchen – I love your hot cross buns and the poppyseed buns. That salt sounds interesting – I am constantly looking for a good basic salt to have around the kitchen. I also love your anthropologies cups and spoons – wish we had an anthropologie shop near us. But I am curious about how well they work because they actually look impractical with the scalloped edges
And I have posted my In My Kitchen post for the month – http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/in-my-kitchen-april-2013.html
Johanna, the salt is worth searching out – bread baking seems to use so much of it, and I try to avoid the salts with additives (I know we need iodine, so we all take a multivitamin occasionally). However, good salt has always been expensive, so finding the Olsson’s was a treat. Look forward to peeking in your kitchen this month! :)
Your chocolate shot definitely sounds like a great pick me up!
Your baking skills are fantastic! And how very wonderful to be able to grow some produce! :D
Thanks Sandy! Growing food has been a joy we discovered late, but we’re so happy every time we bring something in from the garden!
Very late, I know! My IMK post is up at last!
Up on the list now, Zirkie, my apologies for the delay! x
What a fun post! I was introduced to you by Judy at Savoring Today. I love this theme idea and can’t wait to peruse your blog further. Those breads are all breathtaking!
Geni, thanks for stopping by! :)
Hello Celia, another month has disappeared! Your hot cross buns look so good, I am keen to try the sourdough version at some stage…next Easter maybe? Your vegetables look so vibrant as usual, those trombons are amazing aren’t they? I love the photos of your bread and baking…I bet that was a satisfying moment. I have not seen such pretty measuring spoons before, love them!
Thank you for this tour once again. My post is a little late but it is linked!
Jane, the SD hot cross buns are a family favourite, but the yeast ones are so much easier and quicker! The trombies are amazing, they just keep coming and coming. Even the neighbours are getting sick of them now! :)
I just wrote my very first In The Kitchen post here:
http://www.onehotstove.blogspot.com/2013/04/in-my-kitchen-april-2013.html
This is such a neat idea- thanks for hosting it! Your breads look beautiful and those might be the prettiest measuring spoons in the whole world.
Thanks for playing Nupur! :)
oh my goodness, look at those spoons!! Loving all your bread :)
There is those tromboncino. Those look like nice young fresh ones. That takes me back to when they first appeared in my garden – I had no idea what they were. One of them grew in a complete circle and I named him Mr zucchini.
[…] I’m not sure what happened to March but all of a sudden it was April so I figured I’d just do a big’ol combined post to link up with Celia’s April ‘In My Kitchen’… […]
Just done my April one!
Thanks Celia :-)
http://sandysveganblogsandblahs.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/in-my-kitchen-april.html
Thanks Sandy, it’s up! :)
I just put up my first In My Kitchen– what a great idea, and it was so much fun doing this. Thank you!
http://www.holycowvegan.net/2013/04/in-my-kitchen-april-2013.html.
[…] am linking this post to Celia’s monthly In My Kitchen event at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, because in my kitchen this weekend, the theme is re-organising […]
What a gorgeous idea! I’ve been seeing these all over my reading list, and have just put up my first of these (right here: http://www.catescates.com.au/in-my-kitchen-april-2013/). Thank you for hosting this!
Cool! Thanks for joining in, Catherine! Since it’s so late in the month, I’ll carry over your post onto next month’s list as well!
Thank you so much! I’ll try to be more timely in future (I rather like the idea of going around and randomly photographing things for a blog post…).