This month’s IN MY KITCHEN is now closed!
Please join us again in January! ♥
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In my kitchen…
…are prunings from our very old hydrangea bush. It was here when we bought the house and has always produced an abundance of purple and white flowers…
In my kitchen…
…are large tins of peaches. They were on the clearance pallet at Southern Cross Supplies for just $10 per box of 12 tins. Carol and I bought a box each of the sliced and halved fruit, then divvied them between us…
In my kitchen…
…is Charlie Louie’s delicious glacé fruit cake. We’ve been nibbling thin slices of it every night after dinner…
In my kitchen…
…is a lazy susan cheese board from Coscto. It’s made of slate and cost about $25…
I thought it would make a good alternative to the $40 cake turntables I’d been considering and it did! It rotates smoothly and evenly, and made decorating my friend Ross’ cake a doddle…
In my kitchen…
…is a magnificent bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a gift from Tania…
And speaking of Tania, in my kitchen yesterday…
…was her fantastic Pizza Dip. I made it with cacciatore and ham offcuts instead of cabanossi and salami. It was a huge hit at our big family get together…
Also in my kitchen yesterday…
…was Nagi’s delicious Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread, made with a homemade sourdough loaf and Dorset cheddar…
Thanks for the pointer to the recipe, Maureen!
In my kitchen…
…are overnight no-knead sourdough loaves. I’ve taken to mixing up my dough last thing at night, leaving it on the bench, and then baking it in the morning…
Finally, in my kitchen…
…were 30 packets of our sourdough starter Priscilla to share with readers for Christmas. They’ve now all been sent out, and I hope everyone enjoys baking with them! Remember to tuck your dried starter in the fridge if you’re not going to use it straight away. And if you’re already baking with a Priscilla offspring, I’d love to hear about how your bread is going!
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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. Please upload your post by the 10th of each month.
. . . . .
Here are this month’s posts…
Moya @ Food and Tools (Bahrain)
Bernice @ Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen (Calgary, Canada)
Emily @ Cooking for Kishore (New Jersey, USA)
Emilie @ The Clever Carrot (New York, USA)
Claire @ Claire K Creations (Brisbane, QLD)
JJ @ 84th & 3rd (Sydney, NSW)
Sonja @ The Eleventh Hour (first IMK post! South Africa)
Selma @ Selma’s Table (London, UK)
Emma @ SurreyKitchen (Surrey, UK)
Fran @ The Food Marshall (Canberra, ACT)
Anne @ Anne Lawson (Melbourne, VIC)
Amanda @ Lambs’ Ears and Honey (Adelaide, South Australia)
Dee @ On The Move – In The Galley (first IMK post! Seattle, WA, USA)
Annie @ Annie Cholewa (first IMK post! Wales)
Shaheen @ Allotment2Kitchen (Wales)
Nancy @ Roving Lemon’s Big Adventure (first IMK post! Canberra, ACT)
Josephine @ Napoli Restaurant Alert (first IMK post! Sydney, NSW)
Tania @ The Cook’s Pyjamas (Perth, Western Australia)
Brydie @ CityHippyFarmGirl (Sydney, NSW)
Roni @ Food That Sings (first IMK post! Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Sally @ Bewitching Kitchen (Kansas, USA)
Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots (Essex, UK)
Diane @ Photographs and Recipes (Massachusetts, USA)
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe (Melbourne, VIC)
Lisa @ I’ll Be There With A Fork (Brisbane, QLD)
Marian @ Apricot Tart (Coffin Bay, South Australia)
Clara @ Heritage Recipe Box (Boston, MA, USA)
Liz @ Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (Gold Coast, QLD)
Sandy @ Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too! (Sydney, NSW)
Shari @ Good Food Week (first IMK post! Canberra, ACT)
Gretchen @ Feeding My 3 Sons (South Carolina, USA)
Jennifer @ Milk and Honey (Gippsland, VIC)
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Liz @ Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things (Canberra ACT)
Beck @ In Search of Golden Pudding (Canberra, ACT)
Nicole @ Miss Food Fairy (Melbourne, VIC)
Tandy @ Lavender and Lime (Gordons Bay, South Africa)
Ale @ Ligera de Equipaje (Argentina)
Tania @ My Kitchen Stories (Sydney, NSW)
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers (Sydney, NSW)
Kari @ Bite-Sized Thoughts (London, UK)
Nancy @ Plus Ate Six (Shanghai, China)
Maree @ Around The Mulberry Tree (Gippsland, VIC)
Fiona @ TIFFIN – Bite Sized Food Adventures (Brisbane, QLD)
Joanne @ What’s on the List? (Adelaide, South Australia)
Sherry @ Sherry’s Pickings (Brisbane, QLD)
Sandra @ Please Pass the Recipe (Melbourne, VIC)
Ardys @ Ardysez (Alice Springs, Northern Territory)
Debi @ My Kitchen Witch (Sheffield, UK)
Charlie Louie @ Hotly Spiced (Sydney, NSW)
Melissa @ The Glen House (Ireland)
Liz @ Spades, Spatulas & Spoons (Oakland, CA, USA)
Jane @ The Shady Baker (Broken Hill, NSW)
Becca @ The InTolerant Chef (Canberra, ACT)
Mandy @ The Complete Cookbook (Sundays River, South Africa)
Sarah @ Chantille-Fleur (North Queensland)
Kirsty @ Make it Bake it Snap it (Canberra, ACT)
Francesca @ Almost Italian (Melbourne, Victoria)
Glenda @ Passion Fruit Garden (Perth, Western Australia)
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Celia, loved everything, but almost lost my breath with the cake…. my stars in heaven, that is one gorgeous cake, my dear!
I am trying to gather something to join the party this month – with my trip to Brazil everything is a bit frantic, but I might be able to do it. If not, count me in for January
and you are sooooo generous with the sourdough distribution…. I am still hopeful for that position as your neighbor….. ;-)
Sally, the cake looked great because there was lots of piping, but the piping *itself* was a bit ordinary. Not that anyone cared though! :) Would love to see your pre-Chrissie kitchen, but as always, life comes first darling! xx
Awesome! So festive! Would love a Priscilla starter to give a try at baking with, but only if you have a spare. :D Best wishes Celia!
Padaek, of course! I’ll drop you an email.
I don’t know if I qualify, as I don’t have a ‘blog’ but I would love to try your Priscilla starter as mine has gone by the wayside. Have been nursing my husband for the past few months but we hope he is now on the mend so I would like to get back to sourdough bread again. If I qualify I will give you my address. Love all your recipes, I have used many of them over the time I have been clicking onto your blog. x
Jeannette, I’d love to send you some, I’ll send an email to get your details. I’m glad your husband is on the mend! x
Hi Jeannette, I sent you an email yesterday, not sure if you received it? :)
That garlic crack bread is a cert here but I w have to make sure I am ready to eat with the others or miss out!
Thanks for showing this Celia
Kim, it was so easy to make, such a clever recipe! Pete’s fam were all over it! :)
Awesome Sweetness!!!
Cheers Paul! But you are hardly Nobody.. :)
Lovely things Celia, we lost our hydrangea bush last winter in Oregon, I loved that thing. Anyway you must have a lot of self control to only nibble at the fruit cake, I would have demolished it in a day or two by myself.
Cheri, what a shame about your hydrangeas, they are such gorgeous flowers. Were yours pink or blue? We’ve never been able to grow pink ones..
Celia, I noticed Nagi’s Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread on Maureen’s post and thought it looked fab. Yours looks equally good. That pizza dip sounds interesting too, I might check that out.
Here is the link to my post. http://passionfruitgarden.com/2014/12/01/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
All the best to you and your family for the month and have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks lovely Glenda! Lots of love to you and Maus for the festive season as well! xx
Beautiful flowers! Your cake turned out perfect. Love the idea of the turntable. Delicious looking loaves.
I had started a rye sourdough starter but it wouldn’t “work” properly and smelled so horrible that I threw the mess out. Not sure what I did wrong. Maybe it was too cold in the kitchen, or the starter was too old? It had been in a freeze dried state in the fridge for over a year.
Manuela, I’ll send you some starter, will email you to get your address again. x
Hi Celia. Great post (as usual). Does the bargain on SPC fruit mean that it is the last of their canned fruit, as I know the company was having problems. Here in Canada their fruit has slowly disappeared from store shelves. Too bad. On a brighter note: will definitely be making that Pizza Dip duing the holidays, just perfect for apres-ski supper. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Joanne, I hope not, but I wondered the same thing. I’m planning to go back and get more, they were fabulous!
Great post, the hydrangeas are a beautiful colour.
Thank you! :)
I love your hydrangeas! I’ve been trying to work out what to plant in our yard. All of your dips and bread look decedant! I’ve also just posted off some dried Maggie to Queensland. What a wonderful gift you give Celia.
Hydrangeas are a bit of a messy looking bush (or maybe it’s just ours) but they’re stunning when they flower. How great that you’re sharing Maggie, thank you for doing that! xx
I have the greatest aspirations for baking with sourdough but that’s as far as it has gone. I made vinegar bricks with Herman (my homemade starter). He was very bolshie (in keeping with just about everything here on Serendipity Farm) and point blank REFUSED to produce anything edible. I still have him as I was loath to throw him away. He will remain in perpetuity on my pantry shelf in a vacuum sealed bag in dehydrated sourdough heaven to think about the consequences of his (lack of) actions. I have been given starters by many people. I have a lovely white starter from Ms Chica herself but I haven’t had the heart to start her up and get her going. I think you have to be in the right frame of mind to take on a sourdough routine. I am not quite there yet. You are very generous to give Priscilla babies away and one day I might beg one off you but for now, I will stick with my booch starter recipe from Ms CityHippyFarmgirl on the odd occasion that I bake. Your post is cram packed full of gorgeousness Celia and that olive oil! Yummo :). Have a great week and your cake looks amazing. You are getting really good at decorating :)
No worries at all Fran, you can’t go wrong with a starter from Tanya or a recipe from Brydie! How are the plans for the woodfired oven going? :)
We just sourced a stack of free bricks from a young family that pulled down a front fence and that don’t want them so it looks like our idea will be coming into fruition pretty soon…YAY! :)
Hi Celia. Great pick up on those peaches, can’t wait to see what you use them in. Your crack bread looks like fun! I have seen similar on Pinterest, called blooming cheese breads. I love that you have named your sourdough starter : )
Here is my IMK for this month; http://makeitbakeitsnapit.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Have yourself a wonderful Christmas. Kirsty xx
Kirsty, weren’t they a bargain!! We’ve already used three tins – the boys have been eating them for breakfast and I’ve made a peach and berry crumble! Might need to get more..hahaha
Your hydrangeas are stunning. That cheese and garlic crack bread looks incredible. Your cake decorating is impressive too. Thank you for sharing all the goodies in your kitchen this month. Emma xx
Thanks Emma! The cheese and garlic bread is easy to make and definitely a great party favourite! :)
I love your hydrangeas, they are such wonderful, blowsy flowers! Thanks for the offer of the starter, that is so generous of you. At the moment I am happy to drool over your baking. I can imagine the crunch and lightness of those loaves of yours. Enjoy your Christmas and all that comes with it.
Anne, I was so happy to have the hydrangeas in my kitchen, usually I don’t cut them, but they actually lasted very well for a few days! Have a fabulous festive season! :)
Celia I would love a little bit of Priscilla. My husband likes making bread and we have discussed sourdough. It was through you I first heard of starters, but we havent got around to sourcing any yet. I am in my first forays into breadmaking, going mad making your foccacia all summer. Kay
I’d love to send you some, Kay! I’ll drop you an email shortly.
Thats so generous. Thank you Celia
I would love some as my 10 year old and I tried to make a starter last Christmas and failed. We did however make your yummy dumplings which were a big hit with my 10 year old and 8 year old. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
Kathy, I’ll email you for your address! :)
I love your hydrangeas. I keep trying to grow blue ones but they always turn pink. The savoury bread looks fab too- must put this on my list. Looks like your cake dec skills are pretty advanced now. This is something I don’t intend to learn. I can’t even squeeze out meringue from a piping bag.
My Celia the sourdough is busy wworking on the bench, behaving perfectly as usual, She never throws a tantrum. She is consistent and loyal.
See, I’ve never been able to grow pink ones! I know it’s something to do with the pH of the soil, but never quite understood whether it was acid or alkaline that produced blue or pink. I’m so glad your Celia is behaving for you! :)
Hi there Celia… your hydrangeas are so beautiful! My mother and father grew a bush successfully for many years… I inherited it when I bought the family home. I miss it, those flowers are stunning. So, onto your IMK… so many good things once again… with the Crack Bread, see, now you’re talking… you’ve made it with home baked bread, that’s the stuff! I’d been looking for recipes for pullapart bread when I saw that one, and others like it. Certainly looks delicious. The cakes look so good… love the little turntable… what a great idea. And what a bargain those peaches are. Happy December, love.
Hello darling woman, isn’t that crack bread a winner? I can see us making it a few times in December! :)
I bet! I have yet to try that Crack bread… been working on a good pullapart recipe… got the process down pat, now just have to nail the flavours! Good fun. Happy cooking xo
Hydrangeas are my favourite flowers! Aren’t they just beautiful? That chocolate cake looks delicious! Great idea showcasing it on a lazy Susan!!
Thank you! It wasn’t showcased on the lazy susan – I put it on there so I could rotate it while I was decorating (I saw the tip on Cake Boss!). :)
Oh even better! Clever idea :)
Love your hydrangers. Thnx for the crack bread & dip. If a pkt of s/dough starter is possible it would be great. Am following your bread adventures & learning as i go.
No problem, I’ll drop you an email to get your address!
I would love to nurture an offspring off Priscilla :) I’ve been reading for a long time but don’t often comment. We’ve made bread at least 5 days per week for the last 16 years and burnt out 5 bread machines and have never attempted to make sour dough but have read lots about it.
Wow, that’s a long bread baking history! Sounds like I should definitely send you some starter! :) My friend Tandy at http://www.tandysinclair.com has nailed a sourdough bread machine recipe using a Priscilla offspring!
I would love to cook with a little bit of Priscilla – my sour dough baking is becomming more adventurous – foccacias are definitely on my list to try. :) :)
I’ll drop you an email to get your address, Wendy!
Celia, those flowers look amazing and both the pizza dip and crack bread scream “eat me in copious amounts!”
I’d love a piece of Priscilla. Funny, just the other day I was wondering where I could get a good proven sourdough starter from :)
No problem at all Lisa, I’ll email you. :)
Thanks Celia. It arrived safely, I’m still pondering an appropriate name! x
My December IMK is up now too :)
http://withafork.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/whats-in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
The hydrangeas are stunning, i love them xx
Melissa, thank you – we love them too! :) xx
I’m jealous of your friend Ross. Really jealous.
My version of Priscilla is doing beautifully, thanks Celia. I squish the dough up at night, give it a super-quick knead in the morning, rise & bake. Couldn’t get any easier.
Amanda, I’m so happy to hear that! Have you given him or her a new name yet? :)
I´ld love a Priscilla starter.
I bake my own bread but never from a starter….may be this time ´ll be the beginning or Argentine is toooo far?????
As always lovely post and wonderful Hydrangeas, mine are nice but little.
Regards!!!!
Ale, I’d be honoured to send it to you in Argentina! :) I’ll email you to get your address! :)
What a you beaut collection! My Esmerelda is going well. I gave some offspring to a Dutch friend of mine who was over the moon and she’s got great ideas to put seeds in her bread. I told her she had to re-name it so it will be interesting. I also learned how to dry starter from the interwebs so I have a bag full of crumbs in the freezer. I have no idea if it freezes well but I read that I could do that. You’re the expert. I haven’t tried to revive it yet. :)
That olive oil looks amazing and so does Charlie’s cake and I’m dying to try Nagi’s bread.
Your Esmerelda is already a wild thing, Maureen! :) I think it’s all in the name. My Priscilla is a drag queen! Hahaha…
I’ve never had much luck with freezing starter, but I find the dried stuff keeps in the fridge for ages. Look forward to hearing how you go with freezing it!
See what I’d love is a #bakedate like the one I did when I baked the NY Cheesecake with Tina in Sydney… we baked together via Skype… I need you two to guide me through this sour dough process xoxox
Oh my – so much mouth watering goodness happening in your kitchen this month! That fruit cake is beautiful, as are those breads!
Sarah x
PS I’m joining in this month! Here’s my link: http://chantillefleur.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Sarah, how lovely to have you joining in again, thanks for playing! :)
While I am not a regular commenter, I am an every one of your blogs reader. I love sourdough and it has been years since I made my own. I think the crack bread looks amazingly good as do all of your breads. Do you think Priscilla would thrive in the Pacific Northwest USA?
Sally, my starter actually originated from Northwest USA, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to be completely happy with you! :)
Thanks so much for the lovely mention, Celia and the cake looks very pretty and I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Your hydrangeas are stunning – I just love those flowers and I think having a hydrangea bush in your front yard really makes a home. You certainly got a bargain with those peaches! That’s so good of you to be giving away Priscilla’s offspring. I won’t put my hand up but maybe around Easter next year I’ll be geared up to start baking my own bread xx
Charlie, any time you’d like some starter to play with, just let me know. It would be a good excuse to get together again! :)
so enticing all the colors and textures. compelling to my taste buds. thank you.
Thank you! :) The hydrangeas were a stunning sea of different blues and purples!
Oh I love IMK and that cake is gorgeous! I was discussing sourdough with a friend yesterday and pointed her towards FJALC. No sourdough baking happening at the moment, I’m experimenting with water kefir and sauerkraut. The cognac Irish cream turned out pretty good!
Jo, I’m so happy to hear that! The Cointreau version will be posted up in a few days time – it’s been a big hit here! :)
Love that olive oil: such a luxurious bottle . . . and the fruit was an absolute steal! The gorgeous hydrangeas are hardly ‘prunings’ – beautiful: wish I could be a genie and send over some of my white ‘oakleaf’ ones [those which look like a candle] just come into bloom! Almost put my hand up for a tiny bit of ‘Priscilla’ . . . but since you may remember I actually ordered from the States to run out of time again and again until the envelopes died an ‘unnatural’ death’ methinks I do not have the right for a second chance!!
Eha, we’ve occasionally had white hydrangeas but never pink ones! I think it’s to do with the pH of the soil. Not that it’s a problem, I adore the blues! :)
I love your blog but have only commented once or twice but would love to try your Pricilla if you have any spare as you bread always looks amazing.
Helle, it’s on its way to you. I hope you have fun with it! Make sure to use bakers or breads flour – the starter won’t really work if fed on plain flour! :)
Hi Celia! This is Nagi from RecipeTin Eats here – I just wanted to say I’m honoured that you not only made but also shared my Crack Bread! I’m so glad it was a hit! And I’m glad to have found your blog too – I’m adding you to my blog roll on Bloglovin so I can keep up with your kitchen adventures! I haven’t tried sourdough yet, I’m jealous! I’ve been really keen to try to no knead dough too, not sourdough though because I don’t have a starter kit (and being a new reader I don’t expect to get any, you definitely should give it to regulars). That sourdough looks so incredibly crusty!
Nagi, thank you for the recipe, it was the bomb! After we’d broken off bits from the top, there was a small scuffle for the crunchy garlicky base! :) I’ve promised to send the starter to regulars first, but I’ll drop you an email if I have any left over. Otherwise, next time for sure! :)
All fabulous and delicious too! esp the cheese thingy, pizza dip, it looks like something I would like to be eating right now..hope all is well darling.. c
Hello my gorgeous friend, it’s always so nice to see you face pop up smiling at me! I hope your starter gets to you soon! xxx
As always, your kitchen has the most awesome stuff!!! The crack bread looks as if it’s ready to get raided…by ME!!! And the hydrangea…so lovely!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Jules, thank you! Do try Nagi’s crack bread recipe, it’s wickedly good! Actually the crack bread combined with the dip were unbelievable! :)
I love your hydrangeas. They are one of my favourite flowers. Just beautiful. That pizza dip is something I must have a go at. So what’s happening in my kitchen? At this moment it is pulled to pieces and spread throughout the house and front veranda. I haven’t looked too closely but I think that is my kitchen drawers sitting on the front lawn! While I was away having hospital treatment in October a pipe burst under my kitchen sink, and flooded parts of the house. Today the cabinet makers are in fixing the kitchen which needed all new kick boards and repairs to the under sink cupboard. So it all had to be pulled apart and it should all be back together again by tomorrow afternoon.
Oh dear, that does sound like a lot of work – not the best thing to come back to after hospital! I hope they fix it so that it’s like new for you! :)
So many good things in your kitchen as always Celia. Your friend Ross’ cake looks amazing! So professional!
Thank you for hosting our kitchens…my post is linked :) x
Jane, can’t wait to peek into your kitchen. Have a lovely December! xxx
I love the look of that crack bread. I think its definitely on the menu for this Christmas – i would love some Priscilla if there is some left. I would of course need to come up with an equally as glamorous name – I think I would name it after you!
Vita, the starter is on its way to you now! Hope you have a blast with it! :)
I so love a bargain Celia, great buy on those tins of fruit indeed! Gorgeous hydrangas too, my little bush died last year after flowering once :( So many yummies in your kitchen as usual, and how lovely to be spreading Priscilla Puppies around the world :) xox
I’ll have my post up later today and will send a link sweetie, thanks xox
Becca, I KNOW. And they were just so delicious, the fruit was perfect and firm. Ridiculous at under $1 for a 850g tin! Can’t wait to see your Christmas IMK post! :)
Up and running now thanks Celia :) xox
http://intolerantchef.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
The cheese board is a great idea, your cake looks incredible. It looks like your sour dough starter is very popular already, but if you have any left I’d love to give making my own sourdough a go! Merry Christmas.
It’ll be in the mail tomorrow, Danielle! Have fun with it! :)
Oh, I would love some Priscilla – I’ve been reading your bread recipes for ages but haven’t tried a sourdough as my only successful starter died when we moved across the country.
Imogen, I’ve promised to send them to regular commenters first, but I’ll drop you an email if I have any spare. Otherwise next time for sure! :)
Oh it’s another new month already? Wow times really flies! I can’t believe that Christmas is almost upon us!
It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? It’s been such a crazy busy year! :)
I am working on an overnight sourdough loaf as well! Your lazy Susan will give you lots of use I am sure – I use mine for cakes as well as in my kitchen to keep my jars of chillies, garlic etc and the vegetables that don’t go in the fridge :)
Tandy, I think it will make a very nice cheese board too (which is what it’s designed for)! :)
Celia, I absolutely love your IMK posts. Your hydrangea make me think of my nana – she had them lining the front of her home and I have taken slips from my mom to hopefully grow here. :-)
What a brilliant idea using a lazy susan cheese board – I would not be without the one Pete made for for icing, speaking of which you have become quite the pro with icing – well done!
I would love a starter!
Have a beautiful December Celia and my post is always live.
:-) Mandy xo
Mandy, it will be in the post tomorrow! Hope you have fun playing with it! :)
How did December happen so quickly? And where did 2014 disappear to? Sigh. It’s true time flies faster the older you get :)
I nearly bought a slate plate this morning from the kitchen market but glad I didn’t because yours is way cheaper – and it came in a box with a turn table and everything. Smart idea to use it for cake decorating.
Those hydrangeas are just glorious – do they last long once they are cut?
I’ll have my post up later today hopefully -the great fire wall is playing up today.
Nancy, it’s a crazy price for a piece of slate, isn’t it? But it doesn’t come off the base, so I’m not sure how I’m supposed to wash soft cheeses off it etc. Having said that, it’s a GREAT cake decorating turntable! :)
Hi Celia, those hydrangeas are beautiful! When my parents bought their house many years ago there were beautiful hydrangeas at the end of the garden in the backyard. We came home one day to find that dad had pulled them all out as he hated mowing around them! Mum and I were so cross with him and I still have a whinge to him now about it now. Would love to try my hand at baking sourdough over christmas so If you have some Priscilla to spare I’d love some but I see you have lots of requests so if not no worries at all. Thanks Celia.
Stef, I’d LOVE to send you some starter. I’ll email you to get an address! x
I think I’m too late but would love a starter if any left?
Paula, still some left, I’ll drop you an email! :)
Loving that burst of colour that the hydrangea bring to your kitchen and this blog post x
Thanks Claire! They made our kitchen so pretty for a few days! I was reluctant to move them out of the way to cook! :)
My next building project is a little (well, quite big actually) hidey hole in your kitchen for me to sit in then creep out at night while you are asleep and pretend that your kitchen is mine ;)
Now what would be the fun in that? :) Much better for us to knock off a bottle of red and then trash the kitchen together – could you imagine how much mess we’d make? ;-)
Then we’d get Pete, Big Man, Big Boy and Small Man to tidy up for us! Hahahaha
I like the way you think :)
[…] to kick off the 1st of December, I’m bringing you a post as part of Celia’s series In My Kitchen for her blog Fig jam and Lime […]
What a good idea – a cheese slate that doubles as a cake turntable and I bet it’s more solid than some of the turntables I’ve seen. Makes me wonder what else could be doubled up so I could get rid of some of the stuff in my cupboards.
Love your hydrangea flowers.
Anne, it worked surprisingly well, but I need to have a round cake board on it or the slate is too bumpy. Not sure how I’m meant to wash it either! :)
What a wonderful Kitchen as always Celia :) that pizza dip certainly looks like it would go down well at my gathering as well! I miss Hydrangeas… You just can’t grow them here on the Gold Coast as it is way too hot and they just get all burnt :( so it is lovely to see them again… Thanks for sharing as always and I will send you the link when my post is ready on Thursdays :) Thanks again! Liz x
Look forward to it, Liz! What a shame you can’t grow them up north – I’ll try to remember to take a photo of the bush in bloom for you next time!
[…] you Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting the “In My Kitchen” monthly event. This is a facinating peak into kitchens around the world. There are some […]
The IMK posts are fascinating, such a wonderful group of creative bloggers! Thank you for hosting and including me.
I can almost feel the crunch on the crust of that sourdough!
Here is my post for the month of December:https://spadesspatulasandspoons.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/december-in-my-kitchen/
Liz, so happy you’ve joined in, your kitchen filled with the treasures from your garden is a joy to visit! :)
Love those hydrangea flowers. So beautiful and blue – so, I suppose you have low pH (acid) soil? I would love a packet of Pricilla, but I’m not sure I can – customs regulations are such downers. You also made me smile as I also mix up my no-knead sourdough in the evening and bake in the morning. Great minds think alike – or at least I’d like to think so.
Deb, I’ve sent sourdough starter to the UK before and it’s been completely fine. Email me your address and I’ll put some in the mail – and if it DOES go astray, it’s no big deal! :)
Will do!
I was just talking to my sister yesterday about sourdough bread, so if I was lucky enough to win some I would share it with her. She is just learning bread baking now, and loves sourdough. I enjoy your blog Celia, the diversity of your posts, your frugal cooking, and your recipes for pretty well everything are all great. Especially your cookie recipes and romertopf instructions! Thanks.
Anne, it’s not a contest, I’m happy to share with those of you who’ve been reading and commenting on our blog! I’ll email you for your address! :)
[…] to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for inviting me to join her In My Kitchen monthly […]
hi celia
loving the things in your kitchen. that choc cake looks fab, as does charlie’s fruit cake. merry xmas too.
here is my link:
http://sherryspickings.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Sherry, Charlie’s cake was divine! Happy Christmas to you too! :)
G’day! Love hydrangeas and great fruit cake! It is always fun peeking in your kitchen and thanks for hosting each month Celia! My blog post is live now too!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks Joanne! It’s been lovely spending the year in your kitchen! :)
[…] Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial generously hosts the wonderful monthly In My Kitchen forum where bloggers from around the world share what’s happening currently in their kitchens. I highly recommend you take a look. […]
I was 10yrs old when I started piping buttercream onto cakes, a Saturday arvo pastime. I was pretty good then, but I’m rubbish at it now, perhaps I should take inspiration from your enthusiasm. I’m always in awe of you bread skills Celia. The only flours worth bread making with are all playing havoc with my gut, so bread is off my diet. I’ll be content to drool….Hydrangeas make me think of my Grandma! Here’s my contribution, and as always I appreciate the effort you put into IMK, it’s brought some great new friends to my blog. Have a happy Christmas.
http://wp.me/p2frs2-1L3
Sandra, I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried sourdough, but some artisan bakers insist that a lot of gut problems are related to bakers yeast rather than the flours, and that sourdough is far more digestible. I believe you already have a starter, but you’re always welcome to some of mine if you’d like it, just let me know. :) Our best to you and Leah and your families for a fabulous festive season!
Thanks for the sourdough offer Celia. Francesca had already offered me some “daughter of Celia,” I have given up on the bread front. Many years ago I blamed yeast for the bread related gut reactions and from that time only ate sourdough, but then the issues returned, now I have full blown fructose malabsorption. It’s bloody annoying, but I have recently begun to react to spelt too so I recently binned my spelt starter Good dense sourdough with a thick crisp/chewy crust is now a very fond memory. I do give in occasionally, it’s worth the belly ache!
PS Have a happy Christmas Celia
I love your hydrangea’s Celia – they always make me think of Australian summer. Your cakes look excellent too, and it seems that you are set for the lead up to Christmas festivities!
I have just done my IMK post, at http://www.bitesizedthoughts.com/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Kari, a cold Christmas for you! How different that will be! Hope it’s wonderful! :)
What beautiful hydrangeas! We have blue and white and I just love them, my favorites for cutting. Your cake is also wonderful. And as for the cheesy bread, I must stay away or I may inhale it!
Gretchen, there was a fight for the cheesy bread – it was THAT popular! Definitely one to make for a family celebration (and a good one for small fingers to help with!) :)
I can imagine my boys inhaling it instantly! I just got my post up here, http://feedingmy3sons.com/2014/12/03/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/.
It’s on the list, Gretchen! :) Have a great one! x
Wow so much yumminess in your kitchen as usual. I love that cake and the cheese and garlic crack bread looks delicious. I have only once tried sour dough but didn’t “feed” the starter properly. I’m definitely going to be making your pizza dip with left over Christmas ham though.
Here is my IMK contribution for the month. Thanks so much for hosting.
http://www.boiledeggsandsoldiers.com/2014/12/december-in-my-kitchen/
Vicki, thanks for playing! Let me know if you’d like me to send you some starter!
Hope I’m not to late, I’d really love the opportunity to try your sourdough starter, Shirley ‘The Making of Paradise’ blog
It’s in the mail to you now, Shirley! :)
Your breads (both kinds) look amazing. I’m on a real sourdough kick at the moment and I’ve just refreshed my sourdough in preparation for some Christmas baking. And your (and Charlies) are on my list of goodies to try.
Here’s my IMK contribution for December. Thanks for hosting Celia. It’s always a lot of fun poking around other peoples kitchens.
http://milk-and.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Jennifer, thanks for playing! Christmas sounds like a busy time in your kitchen!
Here is my IMK. Not too much about my kitchen, but about my “gift”!!!
Thanks!!!
http://ale-ligeradeequipaje.blogspot.com.ar/
Fingers crossed she arrives soon Ale, she was mailed yesterday! xxx
[…] love being a part of In My Kitchen, which is hosted by Celia at Fig Jam & Lime Cordial. The wonderful people I’ve met and become friends with from all over Australia & the world, […]
December is here and there’s so many beautiful people joining IMK this month – already! Loving seeing what’s in everyone’s kitchens and I love meeting so many inspirational foodies. Thanks again Celia for hosting this wonderful party x
http://missfoodfairy.com/2014/12/03/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
Hooray! Have a fabulous December, Nic! :)
Hydrangeas are so beautiful – beautiful to have and beautiful to look at. I can remember making something similar the the crack bread in the early 90s – I think the recipe I had was a Women’s Weekly one, but I do remember that it disappeared in record time with lots of yum-yumming. If anyone is in doubt about reactivating your sourdough starter I can vouch for the bubble and life in it. My Princess Patsy is absolutely fabulous and I love everything about making the dough and bread. The zest for life in the starter matches your own Celia, maybe that’s the secret.
Jan, I’m SO happy that Princess Patsy has been such a good girl for you! Isn’t bread making just the best thing? :) Have a wonderful December darling friend, hope we get to catch up in the new year!
As an avid reader for I think at least three (four?) years now but nearly non existent commenter I will endeavour to comment more! I’m sure it makes the blogging process more enjoyable and less of a one way street. I would love to have a sourdough starter going but living on my own and not eating a huge amount of bread has meant mine have all died in the past due to infrequent use. Poor things! Thanks for a great blog as always Celia!
I still have a few bags of starter left, would you like one to play with? I have a suggestion – you could revive the starter, then when it’s really active, spread a little bit of it out on a plastic plate and let it dry completely. Crumble the dried flakes and and stash them in an airtight container in the fridge, then you’ve got backup starter if you ever need it. I have a friend who only bakes during school holidays and this is what she does! :)
That’s a particularly nice hydrangea Celia, I love the colour variation! Lots of lovely baking as usual, and I love the lazy susan used as a cake turntable – very clever!
Thanks for hosting as usual, and my IMK post is up – http://insearchofgoldenpudding.com/2014/12/03/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
Beck, thank you, aren’t the hydrangea colours pretty? I’m actually glad we can’t grow pink – I think I like the blues and purples much more!
[…] So that sums up what has been happening in our kitchen and lives this past month. It was so hectic many of this month’s photos were taken with my iPhone or iPad, also in the dark hours of the morning or night so I apologize now for the quality. December the madness continues with Christmas preparations. The boys and I are working on our list of cookies we want to bake, along with all the other goodies. We have Christmas brunch and dinner figured out too. What is happening in your kitchen? To see what everyone else is up to check out the list at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. […]
What a lovely pre-festive season IMK post, and generous Priscilla offer from you :) She is certainly popular, and sadly (predictably) I have yet to do anything with mine :(
ED, not to worry, it’s really a very small deal – it literally cost me a 70c stamp. So if you’d ever like a fresh batch, just give me a shout! :)
[…] sure you head over to FIG JAM AND LIME CORDIAL and the wonderful Celia and check out what all the fuss is […]
Hi Celia… just letting you know that my IMK for this month is up :) Thanks http://www.themotherhubbardscupboard.com/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
Liz, Penelope looks perfect!!! Pete’s sister Penny will be pleased too.. :)
Hi Celia. Been thing about Priscilla for days but felt I couldn’t ask as I’m a lousy (just once) commenter! Those loaves keep calling me back however, so I’m just wondering if there might just be any of her left? I’ve been making my own rye bread with my starter, but crave some wheat loaves from time to time. Regardless want to thank you for your always welcome, always fabulous blog.
Jackie, it should be with you soon! Thanks for reading our blog! :)
Love these posts – I’ve created my own this month: http://goodfoodweek.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/life-what-in-my-kitchen-this-month.html
Thanks for joining in!
I’ve just discovered your blog and love it. Those hydrangeas are just gorgeous. I’m still waiting for mine to bloom. Oh and that pizza dip looks seriously yummy xxx
Thank you! Pizza dip was invented by my friend Tania, and it’s ridiculously good! :)
You’re the mother of ingenuity Celia. I always have something to learn from you. This time it’s the lazy Susan as a rotating cake stand. I have one and it sits in the cupboard unloved and unused but now, a new life for it! The picture of that crack bread had be dashing straight to the recipe. Thanks for a wonderful year of hosting IMK and, for being you. Many happy day, words and ideas I can steal. love Fiona xx
Can’t tell you how nice it is to be peeking back into your kitchen, Fi! We missed you! Yes, dig out the lazy Susan, it’s surprising how much easier it is to decorate a cake on it! Now if there was only some way I could send you a hundred or so cake boards..hahaha
Hi Celia! My IMK … in December post is up – here! http://apricottart.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-in-december.html
How beautiful is your decorated Chocolate Cake! Costco has just opened in Adelaide – I can’t wait to visit and check out the bargains!
The postie has just been – and you probably heard the squeals of delight from there – a wonderful little package of your dried ‘Priscilla’ sourdough starter has arrived! Thank you sooo much! I didn’t realise I would need to name that baby! I can feel the pressure already!!! Will let you know how it all goes!
Celia, you and your blog are a constant source of inspiration. I feel so privileged to particpate in the In My Kitchen series each month.
From my family to yours, and to all your readers, I send Christmas wishes! Merry Christmas!
Marian, you don’t have to name him or her, only if you want to. :) I hope you have great fun with your starter and thank you for sharing your kitchen with us! :)
[…] did December sneak up on us? If it weren’t for Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, I don’t think I’d know what month it is. Please stop by to say hi to Celia and take […]
as always your kitchen is a generous place with lots of lovely food – I love your breads and all the presents – I am a little jealous of your lazy susan – I love the idea of them though our kitchen is too small for them to be practical (I tried one in the pantry for a while but it didn’t work so it went to live in my mum’s pantry). That is lovely to offer your starter to readers – I am only just keeping up with my starter so will not avail myself but am curious to know how you dry it out.
And I have done my IMK post
http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Johanna, it’s easy to do, I wrote about it here:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2013/02/22/priscillas-family-tree/
It’s a great way to always keep some backup of your starter in case anything happens to the one you’re currently feeding. I have a friend who only bakes during school holidays and so she just keeps a little bit of dried starter to restart each time. Also good for when you go on holidays! :)
Oh I love purple hydrangea’s. I have a pink, blue, and many whites but it’s only the past year or 2 that I’ve seen purple in this area. I do have to put a special solution in the ground to get the blue ones to stay blue.
I am going to have to check out that pizza dip but oh my…that cheese and garlic crack bread looks amazing. I think you may have just given me another gift idea for my daughter with that lovely cheese board – how cute is that for someone who is a cheese-a-holic?
I’m guessing you’re all sold out of the sourdough starters but if you have any to spare I would love to give it a try (would it make it halfway around the world?). If not no problem my dear…I will live vicariously drooling over your bread photos.
And I do have an IMK post all set & ready to roll…
http://dianeskitchentable.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/in-my-december-kitchen-2014/
I’ve emailed you, hon. x
You always keep an interesting assortment of homemade food as well as ingredients and even flowers! The fruit cake, usually the target of jokes around here, even looks tempting. We all appreciate your willingness to host such a fun, international peek inside everyone’s kitchens. Here’s my December post from chilly Boston, MA.
http://heritagerecipebox.com/2014/12/04/in-my-december-kitchen/
Clara, it’s been lovely to have you joining in! Do keep warm! xx
Sigh, I’ll say it again, your hydrangeas are so divine.
Thanks Fran! :)
Some awesome kitchen finds there including the lazy susan, huge tins and Christmad cake!!! Thanks for sharing with us
Thanks Rebecca! It’s been a fun month! :)
Here’s what’s In My Kitchen, love this segment, first time I’ve joined. Josephine http://napolirestaurantalert.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
Thanks for playing Josephine! :)
So thrilled to finally have a post ready in time for In My Kitchen! My first one here: http://therovinglemon.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-1214.html
Hooray! How fabulous Nancy! :)
Beautiful Hydrangeas, remind me my Mums garden as she has them during the summer months. What lovely blogging friends you have and some delicious food to enjoy. The sourdough bread looks quite delicious and love a nice homemade bread. Hope you and your family have a wonderful christmas and no doubt it will be filled with lots of fabulous food. :)
Moya, I hope so! Thank you and all the best to you and your family as well, I hope December is festive and joyous! xxx
Ah thank you so much for your kind offer for the sourdough starter, would have accepted but posting to UK :( I love hydrangeas and often call them butterfly flowers, because the petals look like flutter bys :) my IMK post is up, hope you approve Making the most of my #Zaytoun @Zaytoun_CIC http://allotment2kitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/zaytoun-in-my-kitchen.html
Shaheen, not a problem re the postage, I’ll send you an email. Look forward to reading your post! :)
Hello Celia. I found your blog via Anne at Life in Mud Spattered Boots and have been reading along with In My Kitchen for a while. I’ve finally joined in myself and my post is here http://www.anniecholewa.com/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december.html
That crackbread looks divine!
Thanks for joining in! :)
Hi Celia, just to let you know that I have made you ricotta slice twice now, and loved it both times! Deliciously yummy! It is going to become a staple if my Fella has anything to do about it. I blogged about it in my In My Kitchen post. Thanks, and have a wonderful Christmas.
https://annelawson.wordpress.com
Anne, I’m so happy to hear that! It’s pretty easy, isn’t it? :) Look forward to peeking into your kitchen! x
Celia, I just found your IMK post and have spent ages visiting this month’s bloggers. I enjoyed the event so much I joined in, though my first post is far too wordy.
http://otm-inthegalley.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
Thanks for playing, Dee! :)
Your hydrangeas are just so pretty, Celia! They’ve always reminded me of swimming caps that I used to covet when I was young – I could never get the pretty ones because my hair was too long and thick to fit under one properly. That cake does look spectacular as does the fruit loaf. And that pizza dip – wow – I can see why there was none left! I get my glasses this week and look forward to not only reading everyone else’s entries but just reading in general. And I am eagerly awaiting Pricilla – thank you so much, you are so generous! Here is my post http://selmastable.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/ Happy December!
Yaay! I’ve been missing your IMK posts! :) xx
Good Lord! 197 comments, you need a Bex and a good lie down after responding to all of these. (I don’t really know what a Bex is, I’m too young to know, but I like the saying :) ) Here is my IMK for December. Did someone say Christmas?
http://thefoodmarshall.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
Hahaha…I’ve been waiting for the Christmas post! :)
Celia – i (too) found your blog via Anne at Life in Mud Spattered Boots… and on the spur of the moment joined – this months just in time post is at http://levenses.wordpress.com/
Hi Sonja, I went to your blog but couldn’t find your In My Kitchen post? Could you please send me the link when it’s been uploaded – it needs to be up before the 10th of the month wherever you are. Also, could you please let me know where you’re based so I can add it to the list? Thanks for joining in! :)
Celia,
i’ve e-mailed the link – the post is uploaded. thank you kindly. sonja
[…] It’s once again time for In My Kitchen and as per usual this is a collection of things from the past month — as seen over on Instagram — in loosely interpreted categories and no particular order. As always I’m linking up with Celia for IMK. […]
Too late for your sourdough starter – I’ve been out of the loop for a few days – but what a generous offer Celia. Maybe next time, if there’s another opportunity! Another lovely post as always. Love those hydrangeas.
[…] over the next few days. Don’t forget to take a peek in some other kitchens by visiting the Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial – the grand host of the […]
Haha I love that you bought a slate lazy susan for cake decorating! The olive oil sounds divine and that stuffed bread? Wow!
[…] the community over at Fig Jam & Lime Cordial for In My Kitchen, a monthly series featuring fabulous kitchens from around the […]
Hi Celia, What lovely hydrangeas and that Crack bread looks delish!
Here is the link to my IMK for this month: http://cookingforkishore.blogspot.in/2014/12/in-my-kitchen-december-2014.html
yay! I’m back…thanks for hosting Celia :) https://dishnthekitchen.wordpress.com/2014/12/10/in-my-kitchen-december-2014/
[…] forward to continuing the In My Kitchen Theme and join our lovely host Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and other blogger from around the world in 2015, all showcasing their kitchen […]
Really sorry to have missed the December. Things were a little too hectic in my kitchen, and December just flew by. “Priscilla offspring”, how you make me laugh sometimes. But I promise: if her offspring arrives safe and sound in her Houston nursery, I will give it a serious go (thanks for sharing the recipe, too!), and share. The picture, that is. If I manage two loafs, me thinks one should be Paris, and the other Texas?