In My Kitchen - November 2011

In My Kitchen - November 2011

The fruit bowl (or platter) is the centrepiece on the island bench and is always laden with fresh fruit. We usually buy fruit from the local Farmer's Markets and occasionally from the supermarket when fruit such as bananas and mangoes are on special.

Inspirational blogger, Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial features a monthly segment titled 'In My Kitchen', where fellow bloggers from across the miles allow readers to peek into their kitchens. Such a great concept and I'm really excited that I get to play too! Thanks so much, Celia, for welcoming me.

In a perfect world, I could easily spend most of every waking day in my kitchen, just pottering and cooking. The rest of the time would be divided between food shopping at farmer's markets, vegetable gardening, cycling, reading and sleeping (with Peter at my side for all of these, of course). Peter is a great taste tester and he would be very pleased indeed if I spent more time in my (our) kitchen, for there would be so many more good things for him to sample. In fact, he is looking forward to our retirement in a few years time for this very reason. Hmm, perhaps I should consider allocating a little more time to cycling in planning for our dream retirement, so we can be well fed, yet svelte and fit all at once!

This pictorial vignette gives you an insight into my kitchen this month. I have been quite a Bizzy Lizzy. 

I'm fond of flowers and like to have fresh flowers inside our home when possible. Peter and I have roses, lillies and irises in the garden, however, these came from a stall at the Farmer's Market.

The pink on the edge of the roses is so subtle it barely shows on the first photograph.

Fresh garlic from Ingelara Organic Produce at the Farmer's Markets this morning. There is always garlic in my kitchen.

Cos lettuce in the kitchen garden. We grow plenty, which enables me to barter, something my father instilled. See my post on bartering.

Strawberry plants and more cos lettuce, ready to plant this afternoon.

Blood Orange Cordial from Redbelly Citrus, owned by the Mancini family in Australia's Riverina. Made from 40% freshly squeezed blood orange juice and no added colours or flavours. Great with ice cold mineral water. Click this image, it links to their web pages.

I finally picked up a Madeleine baking tray. I love petit Madeleines and have a good receipt for them. Watch this space!

Green peppercorns in water and salt imported from France. Happened to find them in my local supermarket! Will road test with my peppered porterhouse recipe. Watch this space.

Note to self: You really did not have to buy two more cookery books this week. Yes, I know they are great titles! Yes, I know there are Good Things inside. Hmm? You deserve a treat from time to time. Oh, ok! Self, you win.

Preparing for my post on Seasons' Eatings and planning to make gingerbread biscuits. Yummy! Watch this space.