Last week, my old friend Lisa rang to tell me how much she had enjoyed the August In My Kitchen posts. She’d been up early that morning, and had spent a couple of happy hours visiting kitchens from all over the world through the sidebar links. “Judy’s post even had a bear in it!”, she said.
A big thank you to everyone who opens up their kitchen and shares a little of it with us every month – it’s such a joy to see what’s happening in homes across the globe, and to realise that even though we all live in different countries, climates and cultures, kitchens everywhere are places filled with love and laughter. xx
. . . . .
In my kitchen…
…are colourful and delicious treats from Istanbul, gifts from our ever thoughtful neighbours PeteV and Nic…
In my kitchen…
…is a fresh batch of vanilla sugar, which I make regularly for Big Boy and Small Man – both like it in their English Breakfast tea…
In my kitchen…
…is a mountain of Italian pasta and remilled semolina flour (Semola Rimacinata di Grano Duro). The pasta was just a dollar a packet on special…
In my kitchen…
…are gift tags that my friend Margot brought back all the way from San Francisco for me…
In my kitchen…
…is a jar of Jimmy’s Saté Sauce – the secret ingredient behind many restaurants’ satay dishes, and one we’ve been cooking with for over twenty years. I’ll try and post a recipe in the near future…
In my kitchen…
…is five metres of muslin. I had so much trouble finding this a few years ago that darling Heidi sent me some from Ohio! Of course, I should have just asked at Chefs’ Warehouse, which is where I bought this roll…
In my kitchen…
…are two and a half jars of homemade quince paste. We actually prefer making quince jelly, as we never manage to get the paste completely grit-free…
In my kitchen…
…are Korean sweet potato noodles. I have no idea how to prepare them yet…
Finally, in my kitchen…
…there is always chocolate. These crunchy hazelnut feuilletine bars are bagged up ready for my lunch with the girls tomorrow !
. . . . .
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
GG @ Glamorous Glutton (first IMK post!)
Bernice @ Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
Liz @ Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things
Mimi @ Chef Mimi Blog (first IMK post!)
Fiona @ Tiffin – Bite Sized Food Adventures
Misky @ The Chalk Hills Kitchen
Jason @ Don’t Boil the Sauce (first IMK post!)
Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Wonderful round-up! And guess what? I will be joining your party, have a post scheduled to go on the 2nd….
the sweet potato noodles sound very interesting…. I look forward to finding out what you will do with them!
Sally, that’s great news! I’ve now cooked the sweet potato noodles, post coming soon! Hope you’re having fun in Brazil! xx
I use Jimmy’s sate sauce too! And I think I’ve had the Korean noodles in noodle salad and noodle soup, their texture is different from rice or wheat noodles, really tasty.
Jimmy’s is such a winner, although I’m sure it’s not all that healthy for us.. :)
You always have beautiful chocolate. I wish I lived closer. I have such food blogger envy. :)
Maureen, I think you’d enjoy tempering chocolate, hope you get a chance to try it one day. There are some fabulous moulds on the market! :)
Hi Celia, I am very interested in your Jimmy’s sate sauce. I used to buy Four Arrows but you can’t get it any more. I will look out for Jimmy’s. I am interested that you put your quince paste in a jar. How do you get it out? I usually put mine in a pan and then cut it into squares which I wrap in baking paper. Your chocolate looks fabulous, as always. I have 10 kgs of my own now :)
Here is a link to my post http://passionfruitgarden.com/2013/08/31/in-my-kitchen-september-2013/
Glenda, we don’t make quince paste very often, and when we do, we simply put the cooked quince pulp with sugar and lemon juice in a roasting tray and bake it in the oven. We take it out before it sets hard and stick it in jars, which we then hot water process – that was we know it will keep for ages. When you make yours, is it ever gritty? We’ve now tried two or three times, and each time there’s a bit of grit that we just can’t get out – don’t think we’ll bother trying again.
Hi Celia, no it is not gritty. We make it by boiling the fruit, skin, cores and all. When soft, we sieve it. We then boil the pulp with sugar and lemon juice. As I remember it, the recipe calls for about 6 hours of boiling and stirring. The last time I did it over several days. When ready, you put it in a slice pan, then cut it into cubes (I cut mine into 5cm squares). You then dry the cubes in a dehydrator and finally wrap then in something pretty. The problem is, we made so much that even after giving it away to everyone we could think of, it still lasted years.
G, we sieved the first batch we made and it drove me bonkers, but now that you mention it, it wasn’t gritty that time. :) I think we’ll stick to jelly from now on – so much easier! x
All lovely things, Celia. Even if it is still August at the other end of the world!
I’ll catch you up some day. :-)
Pat, the one and only time I’ve been to the UK, I lost an entire day on the plane coming home. Not just any day either, but New Year’s Day – we left on 31 Dec and arrived in Sydney on 2 Jan! :)
Celia, I love our monthly IMK posts and as always you have such wonderful goodies to share with us. I especially love your foodie gift tags – such a lovely idea and your Turkish Delight and bowls are gorgeous too.
Have a lovely September.
:-) Mandy xo
Mandy, that foodie tags have been the hit of the post – everyone wants them! My friend Margot has a great eye for things like that! Can’t wait to see what’s in your kitchen this month! :)
Those gift tags are a brilliant idea! And your chocolate… I really need to give tempering a go.
Clare, make sure you have your kit first – thermometer and heat mat – and you’re set to go. How’re you feeling?
It’s an adventure wandering through your kitchen. Love the gift tags, always drooling over the chocolate and will be interested to see how the noodles end up.
Jo, the noodles were a hit, we cooked them for Father’s Day! Post coming soon! x
How clever are those gift tags! And your chocolate! I am waiting with great anticipation for my parcel from Candyland. Happy FD to Pete.
Oooh Rose, hope you’ll take photos so we can see what you’ve bought. NOT that I need any more chocolate moulds, though.. :)
Hi Celia darling, happy Spring!!! I love those goodies from Istanbul, what delightful neighbours you have. Isn’t muslin the best? We used to have a HUGE roll of it in the cooking shop. : )
Lizzy, happy Spring to you too! We have the best neighbours! And we used Heidi’s muslin until I wore holes in it, which is why we had to buy the new roll. But I can’t believe how many times we were able to wash and reuse it! It was surprisingly difficult to find a few years back – but I was looking in all the wrong places, like Spotlight, where the muslin had a funny smelling finish on it…
I would love some of those gift tags – what a great idea. And those gifts from Istanbul look very interesting and the bowl is gorgeous. I’m treasuring my chocolate gifts – they’re on display and haven’t been opened yet. Perhaps I’ll break them open tonight at our Father’s Day dinner. Thanks again xx
It was lovely to catch up, darling! Hope all is going well.. xx
Great In My Kitchen post. I love the look of the chocolate and the noodles look really interesting, full of experimenting potential. What kind neighbours you have, the bowl is lovely. GG
We have the very best of neighbours, and the bowls were just gorgeous. I’m going to use them for salt and pepper, I think!
[…] usual, Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial is sharing what’s in her kitchen (and it’s always awe inspiring, totally mouth watering […]
LoL cant believe you got muslin from Ohio!!! Chefs is in Surry Hills hahahaha. Loved my golden ticket ,.. Its on my hips now!! Will have to ask you about Jimmys sauce I dont know that. Not sure how all those gorgeous things get eaten that are in your kitchen . Big kisses to you. x
I know, I know. I said the same thing at Chefs’ – I was there one day and saw them rolling it up into 5m lengths, and I said, “you have muslin for sale? I’m using a piece that a friend sent from OHIO.” They were very polite and didn’t laugh at me quite as much as you have.. ;-)
Hi Celia, love those gorgeous bowls! I’ve seen that satay sauce in Madame Hoo’s and thought it could be really good…………obviously it is!
Happy spring.
Elaine, happy Spring! The bowls are the perfect size for putting salt and pepper on the table, which is what I think I’ll use them for!
Aren’t those gift tags gorgeous. Can’t wait to see more about Jimmy’s sauce – never heard of it before but love a good satay. I’m pretty sure those Korean noodles are just like glass noodles – just soak in hot water. I’ve had noodles that colour served in a spicy soup here I’m sure. You always have so much going on in your kitchen!
Nancy, thanks for the tip – I’ll try the noodles in soup next time! They are very like glass noodles, but much stronger!
I love those bowls. What fabulous neighbours you have. Those gift tags are awesome. I am always scratching for nice bits of paper to attach to food gifts. Would be great to have some on hand. I’m looking forward to the satay post. Will have to go on a hunt for the sauce.
Tania, the gift tags are going to be really useful, but at the moment, they’re almost too pretty to use! I love them! :)
[…] First of all, again a big thanks to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for inviting me to participate in her fun monthly series In My Kitchen. […]
G’day! Love what’s in your kitchen again this month Celia, TRUE!
The Turkish delight and bowls, LOVE the Foodie Gift Tags and Poh has a GREAT recipe using Sweet Potato Noodles; have made many times and won’t disappoint you!
My In The Kitchen September 2013 went live today too!
Cheers! Joanne
Joanne, thanks for playing! And I’ll check out Poh’s recipe as well, thanks for the headsup! :)
Intrigued by the secret sate ingredient. You cook with such interesting things. Thanks for popping my ‘in my kitchen’ post on the list. It’s been too long since I last joined in.
Sally, I was excited to see your post! Heading over soon to see what you’ve been up to! :)
Goodness, Celia! It’s September!!! I realize that time is flying but seeing your IMK post each month is something I cannot ignore. It’s official recognition that a new month has begun. At least the blow is softened seeing so many nice things in your kitchen. Love that pasta for buck sale. I’d love to see one like that here. I must admit, though, I miss the tromboncino. ;)
John darling, it’s actually been a trombie-silent few weeks, and the tribe is a little relieved, I think. :) And the pasta has been great – we should have bought more, but it was a new brand, so we wanted to try it out first. Mind you, we’ve never been disappointed with any Italian made pasta – I think it’s the durum wheat over there that makes a difference!
Those gift tags are amazing and I must get myself some muslin Celia :)
Tandy, muslin is surprisingly versatile – we use it to strain all sorts of things!
What a fun post idea! love the foodie gift tags :)
Laila, please feel free to join in if you’re so inclined, we’d all love to peek into your Finnish kitchen! :)
Hello Celia :) I have to agree with your friend Lisa. I love posts like this one.There is always something new to learn or explore but the best part is that posts like these make you realize that even if we are worlds apart, we share more similarities than differences and simple things like a good bar of chocolate or a mountain of pasta are enough to make you smile no matter where you are
Sawsan, thank you! Kitchens everywhere are places filled with happiness, aren’t they? :)
In your kitchen, a lot is happening, my friend! I love those special food gift tags! I am always on the look out for new ones, to add to my collection! Home-made vanilla sugar is the best thing, I always make it the same way like you did! Those chocolate bars look so inviting too!
Thanks Sophie! Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend!
Mmm now I wish I was one of the girls you were referring to!
Love the look of your pressies and what a perfect gift those tags are for you. Delicious tour yet again!
Claire, thank you! I wish you’d been at lunch with us as well! x
I love IMK posts too, there’s always so many interesting things out there!
We use Jimmy’s all the time it’s so good, and love the chew of the noodles- they’re similar to cellophane noodles. BigJ would fight you for the Turkish delight, it’s his favourite and I live the rose best. Xox
Becca, the Turkish delight was just divine – best I’ve ever had! Sorry BigJ, it’s all gone now! :)
Another Lisa here who adores this series Celia!
Thanks for the tip about muslin cloth, I too have been looking around for a while now.
Lisa, it’s pretty cheap at Chefs – from memory the roll only cost me $8.50. I’ve also seen it (now!) in small bags at Herbie’s Spices…
Vanilla sugar in tea — yes please! I have some vanilla beans that my mother brought me and they are going straight into a jar of sugar. Our quince season is not too far off, and I always just make jam in the pressure cooker but perhaps this year it is time for a change — I am going to look at your jelly now…
I am working on my IMK post now. Hope to have it up soon!
Siobhan, we’re so enjoying our quince jelly – we’ve already eaten our way through several jars of it! And hooray for your IMK post! It’s on the list! :)
What an enticing an intriguing selection of goodies you have in your kitchen as usual Celia! I like it that there’s always chocolate, in fact you have me heading for the treat drawer.
Andrea, thank you! Everyone in the house has a favourite – Pete likes Sao Thome origin, I like a 75% dark, and the boys prefer milk feuilletine, so there is ALWAYS chocolate in the house somewhere! :)
I love the IMK posts too and have found inspiring new blogs to follow, and in turned been inspired in the kitchen myself… it may one day transpire to an IMK post but for now I’m just building confidence… last night’s dinner was 2 Thirlmere Duck Marylands made into Ragu :)
Aren’t Thirlmere ducks just the best? And ragu is one of the best things ever to do with them, I reckon! :)
turkish delight straight from Istanbul, now that is rather special :-) As luck would have it my mum is in Istanbul in another day or two…wonder if she’ll get me any.
Always lots of lovely things happening in your kitchen Celia.
Yes, Turkish Delight not just from Turkey, but bought in Turkey as well! You might need to drop your mum a hint, Brydie! :)
I did a my kitchen post too Celia :-)
http://cityhippyfarmgirl.com/2013/09/08/full-bellies-and-kitchen-light/
Wonderful Brydie! I’ve added it to the list! :)
Hi Celia, what a fantastic buy these pastas were! I’ve just uploaded my In My Kitchen post with a link back. Thanks!
Sandra, I’m thinking I need to go and get some more, but I’m not sure where to store them. Thanks for playing again this month! :)
Glad there’s so many people who enjoy “in my kitchen”! I must admit that I enjoy visiting other people’s kitchens too!
Love those food tags – very good idea :-)
Sandy, it’s the nicest way to have people in our kitchens, isn’t it? They’re not underfoot, and we’re always showing the tidy bits.. ;-)
How great is Jimmy’s!?! Might have to cook with it tonight. And I love those tags – I saw some when we were in the US recently but didn’t buy any – next time. I love those little Turkish bowls too. So pretty.
Mel, you wouldn’t have been able to squeeze those tags into your bag! I still can’t believe all the stuff you brought back! :)
hehe – we actually had a bit of space for more stuff. And I could have also bought another bag (which we have done before). I guess I’ll just have to plan another trip over :)
The gift tags are lovely and the vanilla sugar sounds so good. :-) In my kitchen I have a box full of rhubarb and radicchio – they were on sale at the markets this week. :-)
How fabulous to have a box full of rhubarb – that’s like getting treasure! Our rhubarb hasn’t done very well in the garden this year. Thanks for stopping by! :)
Great round up Celia. Lots of new products I’ve never seen before.
Here’s my post for IMK September – http://www.gustoso.com.au/blog/challenge/in-my-kitchen-september-2013/
Emma, thanks for joining in! I’ve added you to the list! :)
I don’t think anyone will ever beat Judy’s post with the bear! Your chocolate also beats the chocolate that’s in my kitchen at the moment, hands down. Mmmmmm… Hazelnut………..
My September post is up and running at http://absolutelyjas.com.au/post/2013/09/02/my-kitchen-september ! Now to go and peek into all the other kitchens….!!
Jas, I’m still in awe of Judy’s bear. A BEAR! :) Thanks for playing! x
[…] post is for Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, who hosts an In My Kitchen series each month, where bloggers from all over the world share a few […]
Lovely loot Celia. Next to chocolate in my chubby little fist, I like Turkish Delight, I love it. There is something really compelling about that lovely, white, soft roll of muslin, it seems full of possibilities – a bit like a lovely notebook, waiting to be written in. Strange aren’t I :)
Jan, we can be strange together – I keep looking at that roll and thinking, “oooh, you’re so lovely and pristine” and feel reluctant to do anything with it. I shall have to cut it into pieces so I can use it easily! :)
mmm, I love Turkish Delight too though strangely we only eat it at Christmas time. The muslin looks good; I’ve only come across expensive muslin squares and so use J-cloths instead. I must do a better search to find a roll of muslin.
Anne, until Heidi sent me some, I was using Chux wipes, which are (Google tells me) the same thing as your J cloths. :) I was astonished how much better the jellies we were making drained through a double layer of muslin instead. Plus I could wash and reuse them. Hope you track some down!
Lovely round up Celia. I really love the intro about your friend browsing through kitchens – I really love visiting other kitchens from your IMK sidebar – they are always full of surprises and wonder and I wish I had more time to visit.
Love the chocolate and the gift tags and the quince paste (great with cheese). I am surprised you had problems finding muslin – I went into somewhere like lindcraft or spotlight and when I asked for it they produced some – but it wasn’t as pretty as your bundle.
http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/in-my-kitchen-sept-2013-vegan-mofo-and.html
Johanna, the muslin at our local Spotlight had a funny finish on it, and I didn’t want to use it for cooking. Thanks for playing, I’ll add your post to the list! :)
I always enjoy “In my kitchen”…love all!
Thanks Norma darling! xx
[…] is my September addition to the In My Kitchen series, hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime […]
Sweet potato noodles! What a great product. I also love the look of those Turkish delight boxes…and your quince pasta…and of course your chocolates :)
I’ve just done my September post – http://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2013/09/in-my-kitchen-september-2013-featuring.html
What? It’s September already?! Where did our summer go? :(
Kids are off to school today and it’s awfully quiet in here. I’m gearing up for a Calgary food bloggers bakesale on Friday. I sure could use those tags! I wonder where she found them?
Bernice, San Francisco – I wish I could narrow it down a bit for you, but I don’t know any more.. ;-)
Hi Bernice, I saw those tags in the US recently – I think it was at Williams-Sonoma.
[…] like to join in, please visit Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Each month, she hosts In My Kitchen (thank […]
Celia, my September IMK post is finally up and runnin’. LOVED your vanilla sugar and chocolate and pasta (oh my!) I’m looking forward to peeking into everyone’s kitchens this month… a pleasant break from “every day” to see “every day” elsewhere. Thanks much (again) for being the hostess with the most-est! ;) xo
Kim, what a lovely IMK post you’ve shared with us this month! Loved your great grandmother’s spoon!
Celia, I’m just now commenting on everyone’s posts (due to a recent bout with a virus), but what a pleasure it’s been peeking into everyone’s kitchens — a balm for my foodie soul. Just wanted to stop by again and tell you what a wonder you are — not only as a chocolate-maker (drool), but a bread baker and highly respected source of information. It’s obvious how much you care about your foodie community, going beyond the call of duty to provide answers and links. (And I’m certain I’m neglecting the other 400 hats you wear… apologies.) I’m so glad we “met” and I’m already looking forward to October’s edition of IMK. Thank you for being such a gracious hostess!
P.S. Glad you liked my great-grandma’s spoon… I love kitchen treasures with history behind them!
Kim, such a kind comment, thank you so much! I’m glad we met too – the IMK family keeps growing, and it’s a wonderful thing! And your great grandmother’s spoon is truly such a treasure, I’m glad you found a way to keep using it even though it’s now quite fragile! x
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Hello, Celia- I’m a little late- but I did two kitchens this month so it took a little longer. Your kitchenis always so warm and inspiring- thanks again for opening your kitchen and encouraging us to share ours!
Hardly late darling, it’s only the 4th of September! :) Love your two kitchens this month! xx
[…] you would like to see what is happening in other bloggers kitchen’s this month, pop over to Fig and Lime Cordial to check them […]
Hi Celia, Loving the muslin cloth – I have been on a hunt for a white chux like disposable one that I saw on masterchef recently but can’t find it anywhere. May have to settle for the real muslin kind, so thanks, will check out Chefs Warehouse.
PS..I posted an IMK this month for the first time this year… it includes some purchases I bought in Hawaii in January … yikes where has the year gone !?
Karen, how fabulous to peek into your kitchen again! Thanks for joining in! The muslin was pretty cheap at Chefs – from memory the 5m roll cost me just $8.50. It might actually prove to be cheaper than the disposable kind, AND you can wash and reuse it… x
New fan here! Found you via Sally at My Custard Pie – love this whole concept and will try and join in sometime if you will have me! Jenny
Hi Jenny! We’d love to see what’s in your kitchen! :) If you do a post, please link back here, and we’ll add you to the list. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Celia, Many of these ingredients are new to me and I totally want to try all, especially the quince paste and the sweet potato noodles.
Just posted my IMK post for September this morning. Thanks for this wonderful meme– this was my second time doing it and it is so much fun! http://www.holycowvegan.net/2013/09/in-my-kitchen-september-2013.html
Thanks for playing Vaishali! You always have such interesting things in your kitchen! :)
Hello Celia. Another lovely tour of your kitchen. I love that pile of pasta and those gift tags will be so useful! That piece of muslin looks so clean and soft. Your quince paste is a beautiful, vibrant colour. That chocolate looks familiar too…yum!
My post is linked, thanks again for hosting my kitchen. Have a lovely weekend x
Jane, thank you! I haven’t used the gift tags yet, but I suspect I will this Christmas! :)
I do love your ‘in my kitchen’ posts and always look forward to reading yours as well as the others – it’s such a fun and interesting idea.
What treasures you have and thoughtful friends to find such unique gifts for you. Goodness, if I had only known that you needed muslin…you see I sew and as a result I have an entire closet stash of fabric and since muslin’s so useful, I’ve got a huge supply. And I’m good at sharing.
Diane, you’re very kind, thank you. I USED to sew, so I completely understand the “closet stash”. :) You know that we’d all LOVE to peek into your kitchen one day if you were ever inclined to do a post, don’t you? :)
And I keep planning to join in and then ‘wham’ a new month sneaks up on me. How does that happen anyway?
[…] in with the lovely Celia this […]
Add me onto the list too please Celia! :) x
Already done, darling! :)
A bit late, but here’s mine, Celia. http://miskcooks.com/2013/09/10/in-my-kitchen-september-2013/
Just scheduled my kitchen post for tuesday morning :-)
Thanks for hosting Celia.
I always love to spend a few hours working my way down the side bar and finally, I have arrived at you! Someone else recommended the Jimmy’s sauce but I was a little dubious. After your excellent recommendation last month with the coconut cream, I think I’m on to a winner so I’ll give it a go. Thanks for hosting!
Fiona, we’ve been using Jimmy’s for years, but I need to tweak our recipe a little – it’s pretty heavy going the way we make it. The Jimmy’s has a wonderful flavour though, it’s a great starting point.
[…] Thanks to Celia again who, every month provides the opportunity for us to share our kitchens. Check out other kitchens at her blog. […]
Thanks again for another lovely month of peeking into everyone’s kitchen.
I could have used those baking tags for the Calgary Food Bloggers bake sale. I searched for quite a while and ended up making my own in the end. And, I am NOT crafty..
I would love to find a nice roll of that cheese cloth..we just have really poor quality cloth that they sell at the supermarket. Next time I’m at the fabric store I’ll see if they sell it there.
And finally, Dish ‘n’ the kitchen September IMK is up!
http://dishnthekitchen.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/in-my-kitchen-september-edition/
Have a great break Celia!