Kitchen Experiments

July 14, 2014 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

We’ve been experimenting in the kitchen!

When I read out the recipe for garlic soup in David Tanis’ One Good Dish, Pete was instantly intrigued – so much so that he hotfooted it down the road for some Aussie garlic and sage leaves. It’s a really interesting dish – a stock is made from simmering two whole heads’ worth of garlic cloves with sage and a little salt for just fifteen minutes. Then an egg is poached in the liquid and it’s served with a submerged slice of sourdough toast.

The end result was surprisingly mild in garlic flavour, but tasty nonetheless – the boys were happy to drink the straight stock with their dinner. I’m sure it was very good for them…

I tried Tessa Kiros’ traditional Greek taramasolata recipe from Falling Cloudberries. I’m sure I’d love her books more, but the print in the two that I own is so faint that I have trouble reading them without a bright light.

This tarama recipe is very nice but quite salty (which might have just been the roe I was using). It’s also quite interesting in that it uses the juice of half an onion rather than the pulp. I made it with leftover sourdough bread…

After chatting to Cate at Black Forest Smokehouse, I thought I’d try making chorizo rice.

The sliced chorizos were fried until they gave off their fat and colour, then lifted out of the pan. Chopped onions were cooked in the oil until translucent, and finally raw rice was added and tossed briefly to coat. Everything then went into our baby Romy (unsoaked) with added water, and the dish was finished in the microwave…

Beth from Burrawong Gaian posted a photo of her roast chook on Twitter, which inspired me to try her method at home. The bird roasted to perfection in the big Romy (presoaked this time), but our backyard lemons are huge, and I couldn’t manage to get a whole one into the cavity. My friend Anne told me I’d made a half-arsed attempt…hehe…

As we’d served the chook with the chorizo rice, there was a portion of the breast meat leftover. A couple of days later, I made chicken rice congee for breakfast…

Finally, I tried my twisty bread again, this time using the Portuguese lard and pimenton. This batch was even more popular than the duck fat version!

I hope you’ve all been having fun in your kitchens too!

My sister and her girls arrive for a visit tomorrow, so I’m taking a week off the blog to spend time with them. Take care and talk soon! ♥

Posted in Recipes | 68 Comments

68 Responses

on July 14, 2014 at 12:11 pm Manuela

The garlic soup looks very interesting! Might have to try it. Looks fairly simple. Tasty looking rice and chicken.
Lots of tasty, interesting foods in your kitchen!
Have a nice visit!
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  The garlic soup was a treat, and it was interesting how unstinky we all were the next day. Or maybe we were ALL stinky, so none of us noticed! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 12:18 pm sallybr

Enjoy the visit! I am sure you will have a wonderful time, and whatever you want to share with your readers, I will be paying attention! ;-)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks darling. It was a fabulous week, and I’m quite sad now that they’ve gone..
on July 14, 2014 at 12:23 pm Glenda

There is always something going on IYK Celia. Have fun with your family.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks G! We had a wonderful time!
on July 14, 2014 at 12:29 pm Danielle L

So inventive and inspiring!
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 12:44 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

Oh my! Look at the size of your lemons! :o And that garlic broth sounds amazingly good especially for someone that is sick with a cold or flu.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  They’re enormous! I’ll bring some for you next time, the tree is laden!
on July 14, 2014 at 12:50 pm dianalesaux

What baby Romy???!!!
- on July 14, 2014 at 12:54 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m not telling you. I’m in enough trouble with your hubby as it is! ;-)
on July 14, 2014 at 12:50 pm Eha

Yes, am interested in that garlic broth also and have not made taramasalata for ages: now to get some roe!! Love the stuff! And I do hope you have a wonderfully warm family togetherness period coming up: all the best!!
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Eha! We had a wonderful week with them!
on July 14, 2014 at 1:01 pm Jody

Keep experimenting Celia. Whatever you cook always looks good. Have a wonderful time with your family and enjoy the week;-)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jody, thank you – nothing I enjoy more than messing about in the kitchen! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 1:50 pm Tandy | Lavender and Lime

Taramasalata is on my list of things to make. I love lemon stuffed chicken. Have a super visit with your family :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Tandy, I usually make a potato version, but this was a good way to use up leftover sourdough! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 2:04 pm EllaDee

Yum :) I’ve done an onion stuffed chicken but not lemon… hmmmm.
I finely chopped one of your wonderful chorizo, added it to sauteed onion, chopped tomatoes & a bulls horn pepper and basil, and simmered it for almost 2 hours, serving with [bought] goats cheese ravioli for an easy Saturday night dinner from ingredients to hand.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  ED, I’m so glad you enjoyed the chorizo! We’re hooked on them! :) Your dinner sounds divine… xx
on July 14, 2014 at 2:42 pm Liz Posmyk of Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things

Enjoy the time with your sister and family, love xox
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks darling, we really did! xxx
on July 14, 2014 at 3:51 pm thevillagehomestead

You are a constant source of inspiration! I am the proud new owner of a brand new oven and gas cooktop… so I will be looking at your archives for ideas for cooking all manner of things in it! The oven was ‘christened’ with a lamb roast, delish! Only one casualty so far, and that was a loaf of sourdough…. will have to revise my cooking times and temps I think!
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Yaay! I think a new oven needs christening like a ship – with champagne! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 4:19 pm Francesca

Dear Celia, I hope you have a good time with your sister and family but I suspect that you will still be producing some fabulous food from the kitchen and we are in for a treat or ten when you return.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Francesca, you’re very kind, but not a huge amount of time spent in the kitchen over the past week. Well, except to madly confit everything in sight – post is coming! :) Are you home yet? Should I mail you some sourdough?
  - on July 23, 2014 at 10:21 am Francesca
    
    I’m home! Its a mixed blessing. I have the little ones visiting and new art on my Fridge! Daisy just brought three eggs in from the chookhouse and was so excited. So it is good being back, despite all the housework building up.
    And, YES please, I would love some sourdough starter. Time to get cracking on the bread.
on July 14, 2014 at 6:08 pm Misky

That soup looks wonderful!

>
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Misky! Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine over there! xxx
  - on July 23, 2014 at 8:24 am Misky
    
    It’s glorious. Spent the day in France buying cheese and wine with John who’s visiting us right now.
on July 14, 2014 at 7:51 pm Chica Andaluza

Lots of exciting experiments – love the congee :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Tanya! It’s quite cold here now and I want congee all the time! :)
on July 14, 2014 at 8:06 pm My Kitchen Stories

It all looks fantastic. i sure you will be cooking all week with your sister. I love tessa kiros
- on July 14, 2014 at 8:45 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Not cooking at all, actually. :) My sister doesn’t cook!
on July 14, 2014 at 8:15 pm Elizabeth

Can’t wait to try the garlic soup! Must purchase another cook book first (what a shame) Thanks for sharing! Liz x
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I think the David Tanis cookbooks are a treat!
on July 14, 2014 at 9:02 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

How lucky to have your sister and her family visiting! I have a teensy bit of envy. :)

You’ve really done some outstanding experimenting in your kitchen. That garlic soup is something special.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I hadn’t seen her for a couple of years, so this really WAS a huge treat for me. Skype and FaceTime just aren’t the same…
on July 14, 2014 at 11:44 pm Judy @Savoring Today

Lots of deliciousness in your kitchen, nothing half-arsed going on there. (That made me laugh.) :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Hehehe…Anne’s a wicked one.. :)
on July 15, 2014 at 2:24 am dianeskitchentable

My goodness Celia, you have been busy but you really rocked all of these! I really want to try that garlic soup…but then I also want to try that chorizo dish also. I abused chickens myself – both with the lemon stuffed inside (I think I probably cut mine) and then with the beer can. I really didn’t think the beer can chicken would be all that great, but it really was very moist & tasty.
Enjoy your visit.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  See, I haven’t tried the beer can yet, but everyone says it’s a wonderful way to cook chicken! Will have to give it a go – thanks for the inspiration! :)
on July 15, 2014 at 6:53 am dishnthekitchen

mmm, what a neat idea, that garlic stock. I may have to try that in the autumn when we get some nice fresh local garlic.
And the chorizo rice…I know that would be a hit here. I thought you always had to soak the Romy?
I had a good giggle at your poor little chook stuffed with that large lemon..thanks!
- on July 15, 2014 at 6:22 pm fergie51
  
  I so wish I hadn’t read that bit about the lemon! Have trouble looking at the photo now! :)
  - on July 23, 2014 at 5:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
    
    Ha! Getting the lemon IN was one thing. Getting it OUT was like popping a champagne cork..hahaha
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Bernie, I always soak the Romy before it goes into the oven, but it doesn’t seem to need it before use in the microwave.
on July 15, 2014 at 8:42 am teawithhazel

it all looks good celia..but i’d love that congee now for breakfast..x
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, me too! :)
on July 15, 2014 at 9:15 am theintolerantchef

Always such deliciousness Celia! That poor chicken- it looks painful :) I’d really like some of your congee, perfect for our minus 4 degree mornings xox
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, there’s nothing better than congee – my mother made it for breakfast all the time when we were growing up!
on July 15, 2014 at 6:20 pm fergie51

I remember making garlic custard quite a few years ago and it was lovely. The roasting of the bulbs before adding left it mellow and subtle. This reminded me of that.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maree, I love the idea of garlic custard! Sounds wonderful and mellow…
on July 15, 2014 at 10:40 pm GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway)

Awesome, Celia! Your chook was so plump! Your boys are so into the kitchen too, very nice :)

Julie
Gourmet Getaways
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Julie, thank you – they’re so into EATING in my kitchen. They don’t do a lot of cooking.. :)
on July 16, 2014 at 2:27 am Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots

You make me laugh Celia when you start your post with “We’ve been experimenting in the kitchen” as if it’s something unusual! Have fun. x
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks love! We had the best week ever – back to the grind this week though! :)
on July 16, 2014 at 5:52 am MamaD1xx4xy

What yummy looking experiments! Swim is almost over, I am looking forward to having more time to prepare dinners and not have to pack them and eat at a swim meet!
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Gretchen, you’re a swim mom? I have friends who seem to spend all their time at the pool – good on you, but it’s hard work! :)
  - on July 23, 2014 at 9:50 pm MamaD1xx4xy
    
    This was our first summer with the two older boys on swim team. Luckily they practice at the same gym where I workout so it wasn’t too inconvenient!
on July 16, 2014 at 9:04 pm Nagi

That garlic stock is an awesome idea! I am definitely giving it a go :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! It was delicious!
on July 17, 2014 at 11:05 pm thelady8home

I am in love with the garlic soup with eggs. I can imagine how delicious and light it is. I am so trying this.
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I think it will be even better with new season garlic!
on July 19, 2014 at 5:02 am narf77

Gorgeous gustatory experimentation Ms Celia and I hope you have a wonderful time with your family. Here’s to excellent experimentation in the kitchen for all :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Fran! We had just the best time! :)
  - on July 23, 2014 at 5:57 am narf77
    
    :)
on July 20, 2014 at 6:31 am Sally

I have a mild garlic addiction so loved that first idea. Bravo to the boys :)
- on July 23, 2014 at 5:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m very lucky – my boys are always happy to try anything I make. They don’t always like it, but they’re always game to give it a go! :)