• Home
  • About
  • Birds
  • Bread
  • Cakes and Cookies
  • Chocolate Making
  • Chocolate Making II
  • Chooks
  • Christmas
  • Fabulous Food
  • Family & Friends
  • Frugal Living
  • Homemade
  • In My Kitchen
  • In Our Garden
  • Jams, Preserves & Sauces
  • Musings
  • My Cool Things
  • Savoury
  • Suppliers
  • Sydney
  • Waste Reduction Plan
  • Pandemic Posts 2020

Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Summer Garden
Living Within Our Means »

Miscellany

January 24, 2014 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

A few bits and pieces from January…

We spent last weekend at Nelson Bay celebrating Uncle Greg’s 70th birthday. The views were stunning…

The following night, we dined at Watercress in Nelson Bay. Formerly the restaurant Zest (winner of several Chefs’ Hat awards), it’s a bit more affordable in its new bistro incarnation.

Big Boy and I had scallops for entree…

…and I had the lamb and eggplant main…

. . . . .

From our oven…

…I baked a batch of yeasted bagels for the first time in ages (usually I make sourdough ones). They were hoovered up in no time at all…

I also baked black salt sourdough loaves…

..using my old lidded tins which kept the oven spring in check…

…resulting in perfectly square slices of bread…

. . . . .

Inspired by my faux laksa success, I made this simple soup for lunch using freezer leftovers from Christmas (prawns, prawn stock, poached chicken), basil and purslane from the garden…

…a spoonful of Tom Yum paste…

…and a handful of vermicelli noodles…

. . . . .

Chinese New Year is coming!

Here’s the lantern I’ve made for the occasion…

. . . . .

It doesn’t happen often, but at the moment, life is calm and mellow.

Hope all is well in your world! ♥

Share this:

  • Email
  • Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted in Food & Friends, Musings | 64 Comments

64 Responses

  1. on January 24, 2014 at 8:26 am dianeskitchentable

    Nelson Bay looks beautiful & it sounds like you had a great meal. I’ve never seen anything like that lidded tin but what an idea! I always wondered how you got square bread. And that Chinese lantern is gorgeous, very nice work.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Di! The lanterns have been great fun to make – both the fan and the lantern above are new designs this year for me. It’s all done with paper and a stapler!


      • on January 28, 2014 at 6:50 am dianeskitchentable

        And your talent Celia, don’t forget that. Give some people paper and a stapler and they end up with a pile of stapled paper.


  2. on January 24, 2014 at 8:26 am hotlyspiced

    I’m glad to hear your world is calm and mellow. Long may it last! I always think hatted restaurants next to casual beachside locations are a waste of space. When people are on holiday or going to the beach for the day, a casual eatery is usually what they’re looking for. That’s my main gripe with Palm Beach – it desperately needs so lively, fun, BYO type places to go xx


    • on January 25, 2014 at 7:22 am beverlyswin

      An American here (Texan no less)- pardon my ignorance but what is a “hatted” restaurant? Formal or dressy, perhaps?


      • on January 25, 2014 at 9:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

        Ah, sorry I wasn’t clear! Over here, restaurants are graded according to a “hat” system. One hat for very good ones, up to three hats for the few top ones in the city.

        http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/food-news/top-hats-smh-good-food-guide-2014-awards-20130902-2t0op.html


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:49 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Charlie, I think you’re right – the hatted restos seem wasted there, particularly when everyone wants to come in wearing tshirts and shorts! :)


  3. on January 24, 2014 at 8:31 am sallybr

    Black salt sourdough…. oh, one day you will kill me.

    I will die happy, but still..

    gotta go check that recipe from your site, I see that one used regular sea salt, for this you just used black at the same proportion?

    awesome round up, I am drooling over those scallops…


    • on January 24, 2014 at 8:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, I use regular fine sea salt in the dough, and scatter crushed black salt flakes over the oiled tin before the dough goes in. The boys love it! :)


      • on January 25, 2014 at 5:22 pm Le Petit Potager

        Celia I was wondering what to do with my excess black sea salt …….wonderful stuff!


        • on January 25, 2014 at 8:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

          Elaine, I seem to have a lot of it too, but it’s wonderful on the outside of the loaves – both in terms of looks and taste!


  4. on January 24, 2014 at 9:12 am ardysez

    I hope calm and mellow endures for all of the ‘year of the horse’ for you, with just enough pizzaz to make it interesting! Have to add Nelson Bay and Watercress to the ‘must do’ list. ;)


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Ardys, thank you! It never does last though – we just have to enjoy it while we have it! :)


  5. on January 24, 2014 at 9:36 am Danielle

    What a lovely weekend break in Nelson Bay and your lantern and fan look exquisite!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:51 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Danielle, thank you! It was lovely to catch up with all of Pete’s extended family – Uncle Greg is the youngest of eight siblings, so it’s a HUGE family!


  6. on January 24, 2014 at 10:40 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

    Your lantern is just beautiful Celia!
    I can’t wait to get my hands on one of those tins to make some square loaves. So perfect.
    Isn’t Nelson Bay beautiful? A friend of mine used to live there and we visited the year before last. My kind of waves at the beach too… nice and flat.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, I believe they’re called Pullman tins if you’re looking for them, although the Pullmans I’ve seen have all been thinner and skinnier!


  7. on January 24, 2014 at 11:39 am Jane @ Shady Baker

    Hello Celia, what delightful water views! Your bread looks amazing as usual. I have not made bagels before. If I made your yeasted bagels with fresh yeast (as opposed to dry) how much yeast would I use? I just happen to have some fresh yeast in the fridge for once.

    Your lanterns are impressive! Enjoy the calm. It is relatively calm here too…something to do with the tail end of the school holidays I think x


    • on January 24, 2014 at 11:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, maybe 15g? I’m sorry, I don’t use fresh yeast, so I don’t really know. My fam actually prefer the sourdough ones, but I didn’t have any starter ready…

      https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/09/05/sourdough-bagels/

      Have a great end of school hols! xxx


  8. on January 24, 2014 at 11:40 am Eha

    Your Chinese lantern must be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen and I’m coming back after work to see your video on how to make that exquisite fan! No end to your talents!! Love the nearly ‘no cost’ faux laksa ~ nothing much faux about it :) ! Have a lovely weekend – hope a little bit of rain but present temperatures, at least what we have here!!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Eha, thank you – we’ve had a bit of rain this week, hope you have as well!


  9. on January 24, 2014 at 12:00 pm Liz Posmyk (Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things)

    Hi Celia… that lidded bread tin is interesting! I haven;t seen on of those before… even when I had the shop… love this post. Nelson Bay looks beautiful… such blue skies! And how about those scallops! Wow, that fan is so beautiful too, you are very clever!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:53 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Lizzy, it took me years to find! I’ve actually had the black steel bread tins for years, but found the lids quite by chance at Chefs’ Warehouse!


  10. on January 24, 2014 at 12:17 pm Debra Kolkka

    Nelson Bay looks gorgeous. I haven’t been there. I would have ordered exactly what you did.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:53 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Debra, food was great, you’d have loved it, and I bet you’d have taken wonderful photos too! I only managed a few.. :)


  11. on January 24, 2014 at 3:03 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    Just reading this and looking at the photos made me peaceful inside. I love the square tins.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:53 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks hon, I’m glad! xx


  12. on January 24, 2014 at 3:43 pm Manuela

    Nelson Bay looks beautiful! Never seen a lidded bread form. Very interesting! The lantern and fan look beautiful. The paper gives them a very pretty design. Enjoy the calm days!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:54 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Manuela, long may they last! Hope all is well on your side of the globe!


  13. on January 24, 2014 at 5:45 pm theintolerantchef

    Calm and mellow is a wonderful place to be Celia- especially with a drink in hand! Xox


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:54 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Becca, hope you’re enjoying some peace and calm too. Lots of love to you, darling xx


  14. on January 24, 2014 at 6:37 pm Stefanie

    Hello Celia, sounds like you had a lovely break. Nelson Bay looks lovely it’s been so long since we’ve been there we really should visit again. Your lantern looks gorgeous, very beautiful piece.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Stefanie, thank you! It’s such a clever lantern, I was really chuffed with how it turned out! The pattern I followed used 30 wrappers, so it ended up quite big!


  15. on January 24, 2014 at 6:40 pm Bethany

    Maybe we should visit….!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Ha! So you say, but we only got Will-I-Am today! :)


  16. on January 24, 2014 at 7:35 pm Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots

    Nelson Bay looks wonderful – I’m not surprised you’re calm and mellow. I have two questions – 1 What’s a hatted restaurant? and 2 If I put a baking sheet on top of an ordinary tin and weighted it down, would I get square loaves do you think?


    • on January 24, 2014 at 9:39 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      “Chef’s Hats” are our local equivalent of your Michelin Stars. And yes, a gerry-rigged tin and sheet would work – that’s what I was using until I found the lids – some photos here:

      https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2011/11/18/salt-crusted-bread/


  17. on January 24, 2014 at 9:55 pm Misky

    I need that covered tin for my rye bread! I’m going to check into what I can buy here in the UK. Your photos of the ocean are beautiful. I need some sun and warmth!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:56 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Misky, I think they’re called “Pullman tins”. I know Joanna has one, she might know where to buy them in the UK…


  18. on January 24, 2014 at 10:09 pm andreamynard

    Brilliant that everything is calm & mellow with you Celia – very productive still though I see. I love leftover noodle dishes & your laksa looks fab. Reminded that I must grow purslane this year too. Very handy as I’m currently planning planting so thank you!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:56 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Andrea, be warned, once you plant purslane, it will be there forever! Ours is colonising our driveway at the moment! :)


  19. on January 25, 2014 at 2:02 am Debby

    A Pullman loaf tin, I think….I shall have to pull mine out of the back cupboard and try out your recipe Celia–looks like fabulous bread! Love your pictures, as always! Your posts are so motivating!!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Debby, that’s very kind of you! I think proper Pullman tins are skinnier and longer – mine is a standard bread tin with a lid I found afterwards! I could be wrong though – I’ve never actually seen any for sale here called Pullman.. :)


  20. on January 25, 2014 at 2:41 am Platanos, Mangoes and Me!n

    You are incredibly talented….


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, you’re so nice, thank you! :) How are your eagles?


  21. on January 25, 2014 at 3:02 am marilynscottwaters

    You are living the beautiful life! I’m inspired to get down to the beach.

    I made my first sponge cake yesterday… came out a treat. Your fan is a treasure, off to watch the video. Hugs, Maz


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Maz, I think you’d love the fan! Hope you can find some red envelopes to make some with! xx


  22. on January 25, 2014 at 6:20 am The Life of Clare

    Looks like you’ve had a lovely summer! I love your square loaves, and bagels. I’d love if could share your sourdough bagel recipe.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 6:22 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Clare, of course! Here it is:

      https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/09/05/sourdough-bagels/


    • on January 25, 2014 at 6:23 am The Life of Clare

      Scratch that Celia, I just found your recipe, going to give them a go ASAP!


  23. on January 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm Rosemary Abetz-Rouse

    Hi Celia, I saw this and thought of you – how to make your own chocolate moulds! I have to give this a try. http://www.thekitchn.com/3-kitchen-staples-to-mold-your-own-chocolate-in-176353
    cheers, Rosemary


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:58 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks for thinking of me, Rosemary! It looks very interesting – clever too! :)


  24. on January 25, 2014 at 3:47 pm thefoodsage

    Nothing wrong with square bread – when it’s made from scratch like yours. Looks lovely. Also love your lantern. Happy Chinese NY.


    • on January 25, 2014 at 8:59 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Rachel! Have a wonderful Year of the Horse!


  25. on January 25, 2014 at 5:40 pm Three Well Beings

    I love the look of those bagels! I think the bread looks fantastic, too. But I wanted to comment on how much I admire the lantern and the fan. They are just beautiful. There is a very large Chinese community here in my city (near Los Angeles) and preparations are being made for the New Year. The school children participate in many arts and crafts, but I’ve seen nothing as beautiful as your lantern!


    • on January 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thank you so much! Some years I get right into the lantern making, other years it’s all too much work, but this year it’s been great fun! I found a couple of new patterns as well this year, which always makes it more interesting! :)


  26. on January 25, 2014 at 7:32 pm Fiona

    Great post and i love the photos, however just a small correction …. Nelson Bay is in Port Stephens about 1hr north of Newcastle whereas the Central Coast is defined as the area between Sydney and Newcastle (includes Gosford, Woy Woy, The Entrance etc) …


    • on January 25, 2014 at 7:35 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Ooh, thanks Fiona. I’ll fix it. :)


  27. on January 25, 2014 at 11:14 pm Emilie@TheCleverCarrot

    Hi Celia! You can’t show me pictures like this of sunny, drop dead gorgeous AU! I’m so jealous… looks like you are having an absolutely wonderful summer (that scallop dish looks to die for by the way…) Good for you :)
    And while I’m here- I wanted to congratulate both you and Pete on your anniversary! What a sweet post that was to read. Love your wedding picture too. (I’m playing a bit of catch up with my reading)
    Now about that chocolate cake… I think that’s going to be my weekend baking project over here. Thanks for sharing the recipe! xx


  28. on January 26, 2014 at 12:19 am Glenda

    Hi Celia, Of course my eyes are drawn to your wonderful bread and pullman tin. That is one kitchen thingy i don’t have. Sounds like your life is good at the moment. I hope it lasts just a little longer. I always say after 21 life is full of issues. Before 21 it is bliss.


  29. on January 26, 2014 at 7:15 am saucygander

    Black salt! I bought some but haven’t done anything special with it. Do you use it in other recipes?
    Love the baking and craft from your house!


  30. on January 29, 2014 at 11:28 pm Ayesha (Miss Spicy Hat n' Sugar Socks)

    The craft is so creative….P.s the bread is one of the most perfectly baked ones I’ve seen! Love the texture :)


    • on January 30, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thank you! The house is full of fans and lanterns – I’ve been asked to stop! :D


      • on January 30, 2014 at 11:19 pm Ayesha (Miss Spicy Hat n' Sugar Socks)

        ;) Happens all the time with me as well, I can’t just adorn the house enough!



Comments are closed.

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Follow @celiafigjam
  • Recent Posts

    • Making Zokin
    • Curry Puff Pastry
    • Hiatus
    • The Glass Lid
    • Denim Revisited
    • Vegan World Peace Cookies
    • Here Be Chickens!
    • A Tale of Two $2 Quilts
    • Daily Quaft Therapy
    • A Repaired Tea Bowl
  • Categories

  • Archives

  • © All text and photos are copyright 2009 - 2023 Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. All rights reserved. Please ask first.

    Protected by Copyscape

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
    • Join 14,063 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

  • Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • %d bloggers like this: