In my kitchen this month is a big pile of these (pictured above) — I wonder if you can guess what they are? There's a striking ceramic trivet in my kitchen, too — a treasured gift from the lovely Celia, fellow cooking enthusiast and friend who blogs at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and hosts a monthly In my Kitchen round up. With this gift from Celia came a plateful of exquisite hand made chocolates, but Peter and I gobbled them down before I had the chance to take photographs! What can I tell you, Celia is the Queen of good chocolate. Thank you Celia (and Pete) for these gifts. Also in my kitchen this month... After months of illness and subsequent slothfulness (not to mention significant weight gain) last year, I've joined a local gym and signed up for a month with a personal trainer. I have also pulled these old friends down from the bookshelf. Not only are the recipes in these books tasty, they're also helping me with portion control. You see, I've finally come to terms with the fact that I'm still cooking for four — despite the fact that there's only Peter and myself. Our appetites and mealtime servings need serious downsizing. There's a good supply of fresh home-grown spinach in my kitchen — one of only a few plants in the garden that haven't literally fried in the 40 degree C temperatures of late. Tonight I'm cooking lean steak with a side of spinach, mushrooms, tomato and eschalot. It's so very good that I'm already salivating. We managed to rescue a handful of teardrop tomatoes and a bowlful of Grosse Lisse, and these are slowly ripening on the kitchen bench. They'll be used in Luke Nguyen's sublime Green Tomato Salad. There are Calypso mangoes and limes on the fruit platter in my kitchen, together with a steady supply of chillies from the garden. Mango and chilli salsa with coriander and lime is a summertime favourite that sits perfectly with dishes such as poached salmon, Tandoori chicken or Thai beef salad. These tiny chillies pack some punch! I'll soon be planting some Bishop's Crown chilli seeds that were kindly posted to me by Linda, who blogs about life, food, cooking and gardening at The Witches Kitchen. Thank you, Linda xox We found this liquid smoke in a Surry Hills grocery store recently and will be experimenting with it in coming weeks. Do you use liquid smoke in your cooking, dear readers? Recipe suggestions and hints are most welcome. My cedar wood spice box (hand crafted by my son) is spilling over. Having watched Rick Stein's India, I thought I'd best stock up on Herbie's Spices. Once the weather turns cooler, I feel certain that curries will be back on the menu! Now that we've retired, Peter and I plan to travel more and we're keen to meet farmers, food producers and providores — who are the salt of the earth as far as I'm concerned! We'll be dipping into The Field Guide to New South Wales Produce, purchased from The Locavore Edition. Several of my Twitter 'friends' are listed in this informative and interesting little book. Crisp and juicy Granny Smith apples have filled the fruit platter in my kitchen. I cut them into matchsticks for my Bircher muesli, and they're perfect as a snack with low fat ricotta to satisfy those 3.00pm sweet cravings. Also in my kitchen are these 'tasty' coconut chips, which add texture and a nutty flavour to muesli and vanilla junket. They're also a good accompaniment to mango. On Twitter, I recently shared a tweet from the people at My Gungahlin, an organisation in my local community who were giving away coffee mugs. Little did I realise I would be one of the lucky winners! Thank you My Gungahlin. And finally, in my kitchen is an old and battered egg timer or hour glass, that I bought in an op shop. As Macdonald Carey said (over and over again), 'Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.' Well, this is certainly true in retirement. If you're still working full time and think you're busy now, my friends, just wait until you retire. What with going to the gym, researching Peter's family tree, reading, resting, cooking to our heart's content, gardening, de-cluttering the house, honing our photography skills, catching up with family and friends, spending quality time together (and did I mention resting?) — the days are absolutely flying by. Honestly, Peter and I are still wondering how we ever found time to go to work! So, dear readers have you managed to figure out what the items in the first picture are? Cake boards en masse. It seems that Celia bought a pallet of them (for a bargain, I might add) and since then she's been sharing them with her friends. When she asked me if I'd like some, my response was just one or two, please. Ha! Need I say more? I will be sharing a few of the load with my friends and fellow cooks in Canberra. Now tell me, what good things do you have in your kitchen this month? And is time flying for you too?
1/2/2014 11:06:48 am
Hi Liz! It's so good to hear just how much you are fitting into your new retirement lifestyle, and that you now have the time to focus on your health and wellbeing - and following your interests! Your travel plans sound fascinating! And I must try that green Tomato Salad!
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:44:21 pm
Hi Marian, I am being guided by your retirement to a degree... but, yes, it's falling into place beautifully. My health has improved and it feels good to have a life again! Yes, do try the salad, it's a beauty.
Bellinda Cini
1/2/2014 11:26:03 am
My first act of kindness for February will be to myself. My challenge will be to seek those things in life that will curb my current cynicism and general disdain for the world at large, to find that place of wonder...
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:45:07 pm
Binny, yes, do fund a happy place darling... there are good things to be found in life... and, as Pop always said, every day is a gift xox 1/2/2014 01:10:13 pm
I've just saved your green tomato salad recipe for a rainy day as I've never used them before but always wanted to so I'm very happy. Looks like retirement is productive if your kitchen bounty is anything to go by!
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:45:48 pm
Hi Nancy, wonderful... you will like the salad I'm sure. I was quite surprised at how very good it is! Retirement is wonderful. Thank you kindly for stopping by : )
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:47:02 pm
Hi Glenda... (laughs), yes, I think she did. And she's more than happy to share them, as you know! The egg timer is rather battered (and a little greasy), but I love using it to cook boiled eggs. I'm glad you are enjoying retirement, it really is a golden time in our lives, no? xox I so can relate to learning about portion control there is only the 2 of us at home now and my husband keeps putting on weight must reduce ...the books are great and will definitely get my copy down again..CSIRO. For the veggies I created a tent over the Tomatoes when I relished they were getting sunburnt..the heat was horrendous my fish cooked in the outdoor pond. Unbelievable .
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:48:38 pm
Hi Sue... it's hard cutting back to cooking for two, especially when it's a lifelong habit to cook for four! The CSIRO books are good... and, while there is a lot of meat, the dishes are very tasty and suit our food preferences. OMG, your fish cooked in the outdoor pond! That is horrendous indeed!
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:48:49 pm
Thank you so much! Yes, I have used Wright's liquid smoke, have some in the pantry now. I use it to make beef jerky in the winter. Delicious, high protein snack, and no nasties when you make it yourself. Very much enjoyed your post. We too wonder how we ever found time to work! Fortunate to have such a good life in a wonderful country.
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:13:43 pm
Ardys, can you please share the recipe with me?! Lovely to meet others who are also retired and enjoying it xo 1/2/2014 05:46:05 pm
What lovely fresh produce in your kitchen. Hope you are not melting away in the heat. Have a super day :)
Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:37:02 am
Hi Tandy... thank you... it's been incredibly hot here... we hit 40+ a couple of weeks ago and it's been 38, 39 steadily over the last week. Sunburn in a few minutes and even as late as 6pm at night! How about you? How's your summer going?
Misky
2/2/2014 10:06:45 am
Love your produce, Lizzy, but gosh I do love that egg timer!
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:14:53 pm
Why, that old battered thing, Misky... I love it too. : ) 2/2/2014 10:13:04 am
Good morning Lizzy. Your kitchen is full of goodness as always. A girl can never have enough cake boards, right? The colour in those mangoes is beautiful. Your hand crafted spice box sounds like a family treasure, Herbie's products are of such high quality aren't they? That little egg timer is lovely too.
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:16:08 pm
Good afternoon Jane... too right... a girl can never have too many cake boards... and I'm sure Celia has a stack she'd love to share with you also! The mangoes are yummy too, we are eating them in salsa almost every night. Yes, I love Herbie's Spices too.
What a fun collection of goodies in your kitchen, Liz! Before I forget, my mother made salmon mousse into smoked salmon mousse using Liquid Smoke. My father used it in marinades for steaks.
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:17:42 pm
Hi David, thank you kindly! Now, that's interesting about the salmon! My Peter wanted me to use it on the steaks yesterday, but I added it to the tomato, mushroom salsa instead. Will try the steak next time. Why don't you join in the IMK fun? Celia would love to welcome you, I'm sure. It sounds like you have some amazing goodies in yours!
Ooh those cake boards! Must remember to ask our Cake Clubbers if anyone's in need of one. You should come to one of our Cakeups Liz! Would love to see you :)
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:18:45 pm
Rachi, thank you... I must get some boards to you ladies! I would like to come to a cake up some day, but not just yet... my PT wouldn't approve : ) Retirement is amazing, highly recommended!
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:19:26 pm
Krista, Celia is soooooo clever, she made the trivet from a beautiful tile! I love it too. : ) 2/2/2014 01:49:08 pm
Celia's one of my very favourite people too Lizzy! My hubby has been wanting to try out the CSIRO diet but I'm not sure how InTolerant substitution friendly it is, the calorie content can be hugely different to regular food. We use liquid smoke often, just splashed into sauces or add to braising liquids- just be careful, a little definitely goes a long way!
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:20:31 pm
Hi Bec, I'm not sure how you'd go with the intolerances and the CSIRO diet, but I find it is fairly 'clean' food. Thank you for the tips on using the liquid smoke : )
Ardys
2/2/2014 03:12:58 pm
Yes, I have used Wright's liquid smoke, have some in the pantry now. I use it to make beef jerky in the winter. Delicious, high protein snack, and no nasties when you make it yourself. Very much enjoyed your post. We too wonder how we ever found time to work! Fortunate to have such a good life in a wonderful country.
Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:14:07 pm
Ardys, can you please share the recipe with me?! Lovely to meet others who are also retired and enjoying it xo 2/2/2014 05:07:48 pm
Nice post, Liz. Nice series. In my kitchen...let me think...ah! I got two little spray bottles, one for oil, one for vinegar.:) ela
Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:58:49 pm
Ela, you have delicious cakes in your kitchen, I know... and many other good things too! : )
Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:59:33 pm
He he he, Maureen... you got it.... cake boards! What do you do with your liquid smoke?? I am sending the retirement fairy to you! xoxo 2/2/2014 09:04:07 pm
So jealous of your mangoes - they look delicious. Liquid smoke sounds intriguing so will be interested to see what you do with it.
Lizzy
3/2/2014 07:58:09 am
Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could send some mangoes to you by courier, Anne... they really do taste of summer! I'm getting some good ideas from our friends and readers here already! 2/2/2014 09:05:46 pm
I hope Peter's okay. I've taken to drugs. And alcohol. I love your egg timer and you sure do have a lot of lovely fresh produce going on in your kitchen. I love the look of the mangos and must make good use of them while they're still in season - much prefer them to granny smiths! xx
Lizzy
3/2/2014 07:59:18 am
Oh poor Charlie, ouch! Peter is fine... surprisingly! I think the cost of the dental work hurt more than the work itself! Mangoes are nicer than the Granny Smiths, but then I do like apples too xo 2/2/2014 11:54:04 pm
Hi Lizzy,
Lizzy
3/2/2014 07:59:56 am
Thank you, Mandy... it is indeed and it is a gift I will treasure. Have a lovely day too xo 3/2/2014 04:17:29 am
Wright's is my favorite brand of liquid smoke! I often use it in a salmon and cream cheese dip (just a little -- I have a recipe on my blog). And I so know what you mean about cooking for 4 when there are only 2 -- tempering one's appetite is hard, isn't it? At least I find it so. Fun post -- thanks.
Lizzy
3/2/2014 08:01:08 am
Thank you, John, I will pop in and investigate! Yes, taming our appetites is difficult... we are such piglets at times! But we'll get there. Thanks for stopping by. Going to check out your recipe now. 3/2/2014 08:45:24 am
your kitchen is certainly full of life's simplest pleasures - tart green apples, decadently rich mangoes. it's a good time of year for these treats, isn't it! glad to hear you are enjoying retirement - i can;t wait til i retire (but it's a very very long way off, unfortunately). 3/2/2014 09:12:30 am
What wonderful fresh fruit and veg, it all looks so tempting. As for the spices, my copy of Rick Steins India is scuffed and splattered, I love it. GG
Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:57:16 pm
Oh GG, Rick's Indian book is on my list for this year! Can hardly wait to read it and then cook from it! Delicious. Such gorgeous photos, I too have never tried green tomato salad before but now that the free ranging chickens have a taste for them, we will have to try it! Your post sounds so leisurely, between the mangos, Herbies spices and coconut chips, you have a wonderful selection :D
Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:57:50 pm
Hi Merryn, thanks so much! I hope you will try the green tomato salad... it is surprisingly good! I am intrigued by the liquid smoke as I love smoky tasting foods. I also agree re your old friend, the CSIRO diet book. It you stick to it and fill in the pages at the back ( we photocopy them and keep spares on the kitchen bench) it really does work. Which reminds me, it's time I dug mine out too!
Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:58:22 pm
So you do that too, Francesca.... it's the best way to keep track, : )
Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:59:06 pm
Me too on Rick Stein... are you anywhere near Cornwell Janie? The liquid smoke is proving to be interesting. 4/2/2014 01:31:29 am
Such lovely things in your kitchen Liz, I'm particularly jealous of your lovely home-grown vegetables. It's very cold here again and I can hear the snow growling angrily beneath care tires (tyres) as I type this comment.
Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:59:59 pm
Eva, it's so hot here lately, that you almost combust when you walk outside, and many of vegetables have fried on the vine. I don't know how you folks deal with waist high snow! If I'd known you were going to share the cake boards around, I'd have given you more, Lizzy! Not that we could carry any more.. :) Such a lovely post darling, sounds like you and Peter and having a very relaxing time. And I adore the bishops crown chillies, but they are tricky to germinate - don't give up on them, they can take weeks! xx
Lizzy
5/2/2014 12:01:26 pm
Celia, thank you love. I didn't know at the time that I was going to be sharing them, but very happy to do so. Actually I am using them for all sorts of thing, they do come in handy indeed. So, thank you again. I will give the bishops crowns a try... hopefully they will make it xox 5/2/2014 08:12:15 pm
G'day Gorgeous photos Lizzy, true!
Lizzy
6/2/2014 09:30:29 am
Hi Joanne, thank you too! 5/2/2014 08:57:08 pm
The Fish Shop in Potts Point uses liquid smoke in their homemade smokey garlic aioli (i believe) - which i would eat by the bucket load if i could. It's a simple way to start with it, perhaps. Where did you buy it? Great photographs, as always. Sounds like your days are busy and rewarding x
Lizzy
6/2/2014 09:31:16 am
Rachel, that sounds sublime! Thanks for the hint. Thomas Dux in Surry Hills. Thank you for your kind words... our days are indeed busy and mostly rewarding xo 8/2/2014 11:57:32 am
I don't mind liquid smoke - you've just got to have a gentle hand. I always add it to home made baked beans and also occassionally to chilli con carne. A bottle lasts a long time. I saw a similar trivett peaking out of the back of one of Celia's pictures too!
Lizzy
8/2/2014 12:05:33 pm
Oooh, I like the sound of that, Fiona... chilli con carne and home made baked beans. Yes! 13/2/2014 10:54:28 pm
Liz, I tried your Bircher muesli & it's wonderful, especially with the julienned apples on top. Was wishing I could pluck those spinach leaves right off my screen -- beautiful crop! Regarding liquid smoke, my only advice is: a lil' dab'll do ya. It can get very overpowering very quickly -- I add it drop by drop & taste test in between. Happy Valentine's Day!
Lizzy
13/3/2014 05:58:42 pm
Kim, thank you very much indeed! : ) Comments are closed.
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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