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In My Kitchen April 2012

1/4/2012

 

In My Kitchen April 2012

Welcome to my Autumn kitchen. It seems like just a few short weeks ago that I was glazing a ham for our Christmas lunch, and here it is April already! Daylight saving ended last night, so it it really only 7.00am, which gives me an extra hour of baking and preserving on this blue-sky Sunday morning.

One of the aspects of life in Canberra, Australia, is that we (usually) have four distinct seasons; my favourites being Spring and Autumn. With the changing of the seasons, Peter and I layer up and brave the crisp chill of the morning to visit the weekend farmer's markets. After lunch, we walk or cycle by the duck ponds... and then I have 'me time' in my kitchen, baking and preparing the evening meal, before snuggling on the Chesterfield after tea. Don't you just love the delicious things that the cooler weather brings?!

The arrival of a new month means it's also time to visit Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Celia features a lovely monthly segment titled 'In My Kitchen', where cooks from across the miles invite readers into their kitchens. It's a little bit of What's Cooking, What's Eating, What's Reading, What's Shopping and What's Happening at the hearth each month. Tell me, what's been happening in your kitchen and what's on the agenda for April?

In my kitchen in April are these beautiful quinces from our orchard visit with Jonathan and Robyn Banks. I am planning to slow roast them in a vanilla syrup until they turn ruby pink; and will share the recipe with you in coming weeks. Their rose-like scent has perfumed the kitchen.
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In my kitchen during Autumn, you will always see sprays of beautiful foliage, for I love bringing nature's colours indoors. These below are from our Japanese Maple and there are sprigs of Manchurian Pear among them. The sunshine streams in through the windows and French doors of our kitchen and family room during the cooler months, offering a deliciously warm place to sit and read. Perfect for proving dough too!
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One of my favourite poets, Fiona Johnston, shares a poem about Autumn...

AUTUMN
1
Liquidambar sports
a yellow petticoat
beneath her full green skirt

11
now her under-skirts are
golden fragments float
to the ground

111
liquid amber holds
her last leaves -
a reluctant nude.

© Reproduced kind courtesy of Fiona Johnston
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In my kitchen garden (below) are these pretty coriander flowers, captured on a sunny afternoon. There is a tiny butterfly or bug on one of the petals. Our flourishing basil can be seen in the background. It's time to harvest it before the bitter overnight frosts set in.
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In my kitchen are the last of the season's figs from the local Capital Region Farmer's Markets. Peter and I picked up two little fig trees (a black and a green) from a reputable grower and have planted them in half wine barrels. Figs are more fruitful if their root growth is restricted, hence they are apparently suited to container gardening. Time will tell.
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The last of the season's figs
In my kitchen is this delightful bottle of Turkey Hill maple syrup, which my dear friend, Christine, brought back for me after her adventure in Canada. Don't you just love the little bottle?!
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In my kitchen are Ginger Gold apples from Gary and Sue Armstong's Doonkuna Orchard stall at the Capital Region Farmer's Markets. These apples are particularly good for cooking, as they hold their shape and taste flavoursome.
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In my kitchen are Gala apples. Peter and I always take apples to work for our morning and afternoon snacks.
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In my kitchen is a collection of pre-loved cookery titles that I bought at the Lifeline Book Fair here in Canberra last month. All of these, and three more, cost a mere $32.00 AUD and are a welcome addition to my library, not to mention that all funds raised go to a wonderful charity whose mission is to 'change lives for the better'
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Perhaps my favourite among those titles is The Flavour of Italy by The Chamberlains (Hastings House, 1965). Every page has a beautiful black and white image, accompanied by a recipe. The recipes are written in the old style, where ingredients are not first listed. I love this little gem and am amazed to think it cost me only $1.00. I cannot wait to share the recipes I cook from it with you.
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In my kitchen are chillies from the kitchen garden. Not only are they pretty, they are packed with flavour and give you a real 'hot lips' experience! We have so many, that I'm freezing them.
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In my kitchen are these freshly harvested Romeo carrots. They are so delightful, I am going to plant some more.
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And finally, in my kitchen is this clever little bookmark, a gift from my friend and work companion, Fi Fi. 
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Thanks so much for popping in, I do enjoy your visits...  please stay for a cuppa and slice of cake next time! What good things are happening in your kitchen and what are your favourite activities at this time of the year?
Vintage Macaroon link
31/3/2012 09:43:33 am

I miss the changing seasons. Your Italian cookbook was a great find! I'm about to start my quince jelly this morning, such a beautiful fruit.

Lizzy
31/3/2012 10:44:51 am

Well hello there... great minds think alike! Must be quince day today. Thanks for dropping in xox

Jane @ Shady Baker link
31/3/2012 10:09:53 am

This post has a lovely 'changing of the seasons' feel Lizzy. I am playing with quinces today too and there is that pretty maple syrup bottle! Happy reading...those books look likes hours of fun.

Lizzy
31/3/2012 10:45:22 am

Hello lovely Jane... thank you! See, it is quince day today! Happy cooking xox

heidi link
31/3/2012 10:48:35 am

OH!
I love what is happening in your kitchen!
The figs and quince are beautiful- I have a flowering quince that has just come into bloom and am hoping for some quinces this year. I'm looking forward to your recipe.
The apples are my favorites! I love Gala and Ginger Gold- the flavor and texture are perfect for my taste.
Your entire post is a poem and celebration of Autumn- love the leaves in your kitchen- the photograph is lovely.
My niece just moved to Canberra and loves it - although she thought your summer was a lot cooler than she had heard it was going to be.
Thanks so much for the view from your kitchen !

Lizzy
31/3/2012 12:32:41 pm

Heidi, hello there! Oh, I do hope you have some quinces from your tree! Thank you so much for your kind words. We had a short, strange summer this year, not too many of the very hot days that we are more accustomed to. Autumn is perfect, the days are balmy and just lovely. Thanks so much for stopping by. Whereabouts in Canberra is your niece?

Glenda link
31/3/2012 11:47:06 am

Lizzy you have so many yummy things. What is my favourite? The cookbooks of course. What a great stash.

Lizzy
31/3/2012 12:33:25 pm

Hello there Glenda... oh, I was so delighted with the cookbooks, not to mention that the monies raised go to such a worthwhile charity. Thank you for visiting ; )

Amanda link
31/3/2012 02:13:40 pm

Thanks for the inspiration, Lizzy. I've got just a few of the seasons figs left on my tree - I just have to fight the birds for them. I'm thinking a fig salad for lunch might be just the ticket!

Lizzy
31/3/2012 02:58:42 pm

Hi Amanda... so envious of your figs... I do hope my two little babies flourish in due course. A fig salad sounds perfect... and it's right on lunchtime. Thanks for calling in ; )

celia link
31/3/2012 06:51:10 pm

Lizzy, gorgeous fresh produce in your kitchen this month! Jane had quinces as well in her kitchen, and you've both now got me craving quince jelly - might have to see if I can track some down! The maple syrup bottle is amazing, but that photo of the Japanese maple branch is magnificent - we had a Japanese maple, but it never did particularly well here. The cookbooks sound like a bargain! :)

Lizzy
31/3/2012 07:21:59 pm

Hello lovely Celia!Thank you for your very kind words. I have just had an afternoon nap, looking out of our bedroom window to the sun-dappled maple. Very comforting. Thank you for dropping in ; )

Therese link
31/3/2012 07:17:40 pm

Husband picked up a golden fig at the Canberra Farmers in our way through a few weeks back. Hoping it will go the distance in Brisbane.
Oh, and welcome back to 'proper time' !

Lizzy
31/3/2012 07:23:10 pm

Hello there Therese... that sound great. Remember to pop a paving brick into the hole before you plant the fig tree... restricted root systems promote less foliage and more fruit, apparently! Good luck with it! Thanks for visiting ; )

Claire @ Claire K Creations link
31/3/2012 10:05:24 pm

Thanks for the little peek into your kitchen. I'm a gala apple girl too. I love how sweet and crunchy they are. The colours in your kitchen are beautiful.

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:00:16 am

Thanks apple girl Claire! It's yummy when the mangoes finish, but we are then blessed with a plethora of apples and pears! Thank you for your kind words.

The Food Sage link
31/3/2012 10:21:27 pm

Lovely, as always, Lizzy to have a sneak peak into your kitchen. I love the sound of those "hot lips" chillies. And your book collection is adorable.

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:00:53 am

Rachel, you are welcome anytime, my friend! The chillies are amazing. And the books, well, I just love them!

Sous Chef link
1/4/2012 07:47:59 am

What a delightful post! so much variety and great photographs.

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:01:05 am

Thank you!

InTolerant Chef link
1/4/2012 10:05:29 am

Autumn in Canberra is my favorite season too! Crisp clear weather, and beautiful blue skies.
I have a big bowl of quinces on my bench as well, a shelf full of squashes and pumpkins, a box full of lime marmalade and curd, and a punnets worth of strawberries that I'm still picking every couple of days. Perfect!

Lizzy
1/4/2012 03:19:25 pm

Hi there!!! How wonderful. Our strawbs are just about done now, but dear we had a great season! Got your email, yes, we will get together, looking forward to it.

Christine (FoodWineTravel) link
1/4/2012 10:42:08 am

Another beautiful post from you Liz and so glad you are enjoying the maple syrup! Do you find that the chillies freeze well? We have got so many chillies coming on, they'll keep us in supply for the next decade.

Lizzy
1/4/2012 03:21:22 pm

Thanks Christine, that gift from you is something that we cherish. I am yet to use a frozen chilli, but I did read that they freeze ok. You could also thread them onto strong and dry them! Hope your weekend went well xox

Liz link
1/4/2012 11:47:15 am

Lizzy, I love to see what comes from your garden/property! Your quince are beautiful...and I look forward to seeing them roasted :) I'm looking forward to our local strawberries...which won't be ripe till the end of next month. Hope you had a lovely weekend~

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:24:44 pm

Hello there Liz (That Skinny Chick Can Bake!)... thanks so much... the quince/s came from a local orchard, see my link under apples. I hope you are blessed with a bounty of sweet berries, my dear.

Mandy - The Complete Cook Book link
1/4/2012 07:44:54 pm

Lizzy what a magnificent bounty you have in your kitchen this month! We are also in Autumn even though it feels like we have been thrown straight into winter - not fun. I am jealous that you are still able to get figs - our tree looks very sad at the moment with most of it's summer leaves laying on the ground all brown.
Gorgeous little bookmark.
:-) Mandy

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:25:47 pm

Hello Mandy! I must check whereabouts in the world you are... I am still loving those figs... so, so, so delicious! Thanks for stopping in. I'll pop in and see you very soon too!

SarahKate (Mi Casa-Su Casa) link
1/4/2012 08:35:28 pm

Those quinces (quinces sounds funny, doesn't it? quinci?) look gorgeous! And I love how you use the colourful leaves to dress up your house. Just a gorgeous as flowers!

Lizzy
1/4/2012 08:43:04 pm

LOL, it does sound funny, doesn't it. I have checked several reference books and quinces seems acceptable... but I do think I like your 'quinci'. LOL. Thank you for visiting!

Shelley link
1/4/2012 09:20:05 pm

Your quinces remind me of the box my brother-in-law picked up in Stanthorpe the other week that I am yet to collect from him to turn into enough quince paste to last us....well, not very long given how delicious homemade quince paste is!
And your figs....yummm! I love this time of year!

Lizzy
2/4/2012 07:47:29 am

Hello Shelley... oh how lovely! I like homemade quince paste... but just in small amounts... looking forward to seeing your recipe. Yum, I love this time of year too!

Shelley link
5/4/2012 10:04:54 am

Ps I see your mention in Feast mag - congrats!!

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
2/4/2012 01:03:27 pm

What a delightful look into your kitchen! I cannot wait for you to share recipes from The Flavour of Italy with us. I just met Frances Mayes on Saturday at a book signing for her new cookbook - such a treat!

Lizzy
3/4/2012 08:35:40 am

Laura, such a treat for you to meet Frances Mayes. She is following me on Twitter and seems so lovely! Thanks for calling in!

El link
4/4/2012 12:49:23 pm

I can't wait for the recipe. Beautiful!

Lizzy
5/4/2012 10:43:22 am

Thank you, El!

Lizzy
5/4/2012 10:42:59 am

Thanks Shelley! Very chuffed.

Karen link
14/4/2012 07:45:43 pm

Hi Lizzy, I bet that maple syrup tastes fantastic - the bottle is gorgeous. Love your quinces - I love the taste and perfume of quinces but have never got around to cooking them. Your plan with vanilla syrup sounds like a winner - hope you share that recipe :-)

Lizzy
14/4/2012 07:52:07 pm

Hi Karen, good to meet you... I did share the recipe... see my later post! Thanks for stopping by!


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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