In my kitchen…
…is a family heirloom. Pete’s cousin Fiona gave us this bowl last week – one of the few treasured pieces left from their grandmother’s Royal Doulton set…
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In my kitchen…
…are Christmas cakes! We’ve now made four…
As we’d changed an ingredient this year (we’re using candied lime in place of mixed peel), we thought we’d better taste test to make sure it wasn’t too bitter. Happily, it’s delicious and I suspect we’ll chomp our way through this one before the festive season. Our recipe is here…
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In my kitchen…
…is a tray of roasted Ajani pasture-raised pork loin chops, with potatoes, sweet potatoes and pears. It’s a Jamie Oliver recipe from his Naked Chef days and we can get it on the table in an hour…
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In my kitchen…
…was a Black Russian, made with Mr Black coffee liqueur and Grey Goose Vodka…
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In my kitchen…
…is the bargain of the year, a Riedel decanter picked up from a secondhand stall at the Christmas in Pyrmont Markets. Only it wasn’t secondhand, it was a brand new, still wrapped in paper, unwanted gift. And it cost me $5 (retail is $65)!
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In my kitchen…
…is a savoury slice, made from stale sourdough, prosciutto and pancetta offcuts, sun-dried tomatoes, milk, cheese and eggs…
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In my kitchen…
…are two bags of Amedei 70% callets, purchased from lovely Tania at Lario Imports, just in time for Christmas baking…
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In my kitchen…
…is a large pot of generic brown stock, made from leftover roasted duck and pork bones, and other bits and pieces…
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In my kitchen…
…were Römertopf slow cooked pork hocks, the bones of which went into the abovementioned stock (basic instructions here)…
After three hours of slow cooking, it was ludicrously tender…
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In my kitchen…
…are duck fat and pimenton sourdough twists…
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Finally, in my kitchen…
…is Benny! Fifteen years ago, Small Man made us (yes he did) make him a muppet.
Our then five year old sat at the dining room table for the entire six hours it took Pete and I to put this creation together. Benny usually lives in a bag in Small Man’s room, but he came out last weekend to entertain some younger family members.
I tracked down the instructions we used – they were on a DVD called You Can Do It! which appears to still be available if anyone is interested…
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Tell me, what’s happening in your kitchen?
If you’d like to write an In My Kitchen post, please do so by the 10th December and send your link to Liz of Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things. Thanks for hosting Liz! x
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
BENNY IS THE WINNER! Oh, what a cute and fun project, love it love it love it!
Not sure I can join this month, in theory I should, to keep up with one post every two months, but being out of the country for a while messed up my schedule….
wonderful post, Celia!!!!!!
Great post Celia, mouth has been watering whilst reading it…one question: no link to the savoury slice recipe?
Here you go! :) https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2015/02/20/savoury-brunch-slice/
Thank you so much Celia, it looks so easy that I think even I may be able to master this :)
A lovely bowl.
Benny looks like a grand guy. Hard to tell you made him yourselves. He seems to have held up well. I’m sure Small Man had many entertaining hours with his puppet.
Beautiful bowl! When I was first in Spain I made all my Christmas cakes and puds as we just couldn’t get them there. I even travelled over the border into British Gibraltar to buy the ingredients! Now I can buy these things fairly easily in Spain and of course in England so I’ve stopped making them…but nothing is quite as special as home made 😀
Everything looks so tasty. I’ll have to try that Jamie recipe for the mencats. We started going to a friend’s house for yoga and potluck once a week. I took a loaf of your sourdough and it was devoured. I am forever glad that I know you. <3 Maz.
Love the look of that Christmas Cake Celia- a reminder that I should get going on a few myself. Benny is so cute- I’m glad small man has kept him.
What a gorgeous collect Celia. Your kitchen, I have no doubt, must be the hub of your home. Those beautiful dishes put together with love. Thank you for sharing.
That Jamie Oliver recipe looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing again this month. Yet again I wish I could be an addition to your kitchen. I would do the washing up……
Thank you for the very kind shout out, it’s my pleasure. I love the sound of the lime in the christmas cake… I don’t think I’m going to get time to do any baking ahead this year. A lovely round up. Thanks for the peek xx
I love that Jamie Oliver recipe & drag it out periodically. It’s especially good when I can be bothered to make the bread sauce!
I’m very impressed with Benny – that is dedicated parenting.
Wow! Your Riedel decanter is a beautiful find! How fun! Love your photos always.
great deal on the decanter! I like the idea of the candied lime in fruitcake as a nice change from mixed peel. I keep saying I’ll make a Christmas cake every year (just like I say “THIS will be the year for a massive spring clean”, I have been saying that since 2006)
I often make savoury bread pudding – I make it the night before and whack it in the oven when we get up in the morning. Here’s cheers for all the lovely drinks you’ll enjoy of Christmas! The Reidel Decanter is the type of find you dream of when you’re second hand shopping. I’ve had a few and they’re what keep you going until the next big find.
I once scored a new Pravda handbag (not a fake) at the Salvo store in Singapore, for $15. And a Valentino jacket for Big Boy for $40! 😆
I have that same decanter – although mine wasn’t a lucky find. Who gives something like that away? Is the paper around the cake tins to stop the top from burning? I should eat before I read one of your IMK posts :)
In my kitchen this morning was a lot of ice and water because I was ironing and it’s a bit warm here. My washing machine, sighed and died last week and my new one was delivered yesterday- who new washing could be such joy! I was watching Michael Pollan’s ‘Cooked’ series while I ironed – In the episode on water he cooked a casserole/braise which looks very much like yours. Benny is so beautiful – what a lovely job. Small Man must now be anticipating his Christmas tree reveal – that’s always a pleasure to read about. I heard Lizzy talking about her book on the radio this morning – she handled it like a pro and the book sounds really interesting. Enjoy being in your kitchen, Celia, it’s always fun to ‘be’ there.
So much gorgeousness in your kitchen Celia. That puppet is so cute. And I love your cakes and that beautiful china bowl. And what about your breads? divine ! And yum to the Black Russian. I must drag my romertopf out and give it a go. It sits in my cupboard unloved. Must change that.
Benny is so cute and looks so well made – I am in awe – and your fruitcakes look lovely too – and I hope you will enjoy using the gorgeous royal doulton bowl and am sure your chocolates will be beautiful
It all looks fantastic. I must remember to read your posts after I’ve eaten! The Jamie Oliver meal looks incredible. I haven’t even thought about Christmas yet, it has been absolutely crazy these last two weeks.
Your stock, slow-cooked pork, and savory slice all look just beautiful!
My kitchen post for December is here:
http://maefood.blogspot.com/2016/12/december-in-kitchen.html
Oh I love Benny! And the patience of Small Man to sit there while he was created!!
That bowl is just beautiful. A true treasure. Have a very merry Christmas dear Celia x
What an amazing bargain to get that Riedel decanter for $5, Celia. Lucky you!
Love Benny! And your heirloom bowl is treasure. Everything looks delicious. The stock is must, as it gives everything such wonderful flavor. I think I might be running low and needing to make a batch. Merry Christmas to you Celia…love following you…makes the world seem like a smaller place.
What a feast for the eyes and stomach. I am glad I am reading this after lunch :)