 There are times when I feel like one of those old fashioned wind-up toys that happens to be stuck in high gear. Certainly, this seems to have been the case for the last several weeks, with my agenda and schedule marked 'all systems go'. Being so busy is somewhat ridiculous in retirement, but it beats the alternatives of being dead or going back to work, if you understand my meaning. Peter and I have just returned from a long weekend in Melbourne, where I was invited to spend the day on board The Golden Princess, the largest cruise ship to be ever based in Melbourne. I was treated to a culinary immersion and enjoyed a day of pampering, but more on that delicious adventure in an upcoming post. While in Melbourne, I spent time exploring a few of the city's specialty stores - including Books for Cooks, Pen City (the pen professionals), and London and American Supply Stores (specialising in all forms of culinary art, equipment and supplies). Given the range in each of these shops, I feel blessed not to have over-indulged in my spending. That said, I did invest in a couple of treats. The bone china cup and saucer at the top of this article is a piece from the Plume & Perch range by designer, Daniella Germain, which I purchased from the London and American Supply Stores in Elizabeth Street. I adore Fairy wrens and this little set really took my fancy. I'm pleased to report that a double shot macchiato tastes particularly good when sipped from this cup. The kitchen garden has been flourishing thanks to a couple of weeks of good rain, followed by a burst of warm weather. The bees have been visiting regularly and we are still picking the sweetest strawberries. They are so good, that when I served them to a friend recently, he was sure that I had macerated them in sugar.  Peter spotted a recipe for Kendal mint cake in this book of Favourite Lakeland Recipes by Carole Gregory on a shelf in Books for Cooks near the Queen Victoria Market. If you have not yet been to this bookstore, do add it to your list of places to visit. Among the other delights in this little cookbook are Lardy Johns, Turnip Pie and Nutty Dainties. Watch this space!  We planted golden button squash this year and, although they have been slow to produce, the little squash are so fresh and tasty. I love adding them to risotto.  The folks from King Oscar sent me this beautifully presented selection of Atlantic Mackerel fillets from their new range. The North Atlantic mackerel is caught in the pristine and icy waters between Norway and the Faroe Islands, and the skinless gourmet fillets are hand-packed and offer a mild tasting alternative to tuna. I will report back as soon as I have tasted them.  To the huge delight of my friends, we've had an over abundance of baby aubergines this season. These are so good that one of my dearest friends, Diana, changed her mind about eating them... particularly after her husband, Bryant, prepared my version of Ottolenghi's aubergines stuffed with spiced mince and pine nuts.  Peter and I can both remember filling fountain pens with ink in our school days. Yes, it was a long time ago, but there is something wonderful about sitting down with a real pen and paper - especially for a writer. I was hoping to upgrade my plastic fountain pen, when I fell slightly in love with this emerald green quill and nib set at Pen City. Note to self: please keep the ink away from carpeted areas.  For the last two years, the tomatoes I've planted have failed - whereas the self sown bushes have provided a bounty of sweet and juicy cherries. That's what happens when you dig the rich compost into the garden bed, I guess. Not that I'm complaining. Next year I may not buy any tomato plants.  For the longest time, I've been wanting to try one of these poultry roasters. This one, from Avanti, was on sale at the London and American Supply Stores. I think it should work well. Have you tried them?  These white fleshed peaches have been picked too early, but will ripen nicely on the kitchen bench. I may grill them and serve them with my hotcakes, or use them in a sour peach salad.  That's all I have for you now, so it's 'toodles' from me as I dart back to the kitchen to start preparing a Vietnamese chicken salad. Stay tuned for more recipes, reminiscences and reviews, coming soon. This post is part of my regular In My Kitchen series, hosted by Maureen, the Orgasmic Chef. Tell me dear readers, what's happening in your kitchen this month?
25 Comments
9/2/2016 12:26:21 am
Oh how lovely, your garden really has been flourishing, our squash went nuts and the tomatoes too, but everything else is suffering from the weather. That poultry roaster looks pretty rad, will have to get my hands on one of them for sure. Also... loved your adventures in Melbourne, behind the scenes ship tour. :) 9/2/2016 01:07:42 am
I love that shop on Elizabeth Street. I make a beeline to it every time I visit Melbourne. I would love that little wren cup and saucer - what a wonderful reminder of your visit to Melbourne.
Peter
9/2/2016 01:18:25 am
Our strawberries are good, aren't they. Glad you like that pen set, I thought you would like the green better than the blue. 9/2/2016 04:46:04 am
The strawberries look great! We tried growing them when we were little but they were so tart and never got quite ripe enough!
Boh
9/2/2016 07:30:08 am
And.... Will you let us all know what type of strawberries you are growing??? :-)
Lizzy
10/2/2016 08:26:51 pm
Hi Boh... sure! We're growing a few different varieties: Lauren, Temptation early season, Red Gauntlet, Fresca and Roman, with the best plants coming from a seller at the local Capital Region Farmers Market. 9/2/2016 09:34:17 am
Love your beautiful pen set. I had a couple of antique ink bottles while I sold when we moved but kept one little blue bottle.
What a shame we didn't plan our trips better, Liz - it would have been great to catch up for a coffee while we were both in Melbourne! 9/2/2016 05:02:17 pm
I haven't used a fountain pen in decades! And used to be rather messy with it, as I recall, Ballpoint pens were invented for me. :-) Fun stuff in your kitchen this month -- thanks.
Eha
9/2/2016 06:32:35 pm
*roaring with laughter* Not only do I remember filling my fountain pens from bottles of ink, but so do so with inkwells filled with ink at each school desk - amazing how the guys in one's class could bump your desk just at the right moment to send the ink all over your few post WWII clothes leaving quite indelible stains!!!! Oh - luv,luv,luv 'King Oscar' AND 'mackerel' and shall surely look about for those way before you get to buying them :) !! 9/2/2016 07:34:30 pm
peaches! that's one stone fruit my dad doesn't grow. I can't remember the last time I had a peach - we tend to gorge ourselves on home-grown apricots and nectarines. 9/2/2016 11:02:59 pm
I would have gone crazy in the pen store. I used to live writing with a calligraphy pen. You are blessed with your garden Liz. We are in the middle of a drought and cannot water xx 10/2/2016 11:30:16 am
Oh wow I'm so jealous of all the lovely produce! I wish I had tomatoes and strawberries to pick right now! 11/2/2016 11:45:47 pm
I love the white peaches and I think your tomatoes look perfect. I remember well the days of graduating from pencil to an ink pen xx
Fiona Ryan
14/2/2016 10:36:46 pm
Those Norwegian's certainly know how to present a tin of fish! As soon as I saw the fairy wren cup in the first photo I said to myself 'Liz loves fairy wrens' so this is definitely the set for you. 16/2/2016 05:25:42 pm
I wonder if strawberries grown in cooler climates are sweeter? Or is it just the type of strawberry? When I've grown strawberries they haven't been that nice. Yet when I ate some picked from the garden of my friend in Christchurch they were deliciously sweet! The ones that grow here tend to be big and look amazing but taste - meh. Whereas the little ones are sweet and full of flavour! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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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.
Winner ABC's 2015 Australia Cooks competition,
ACT (mains category)
Meet the Chefs - recipes featured on Australian Asparagus Council website
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