In My Kitchen - May

My kitchen has been something of a haven for me over the last little while so it's just as well there are plenty of good things to be found.  There are Medjool dates on the kitchen bench which I keep meaning to use in a dessert recipe that I am very keen to share with you (and will indeed do so, therefore please stay tuned), however Peter and I keep snacking on them.  Fortunately, they're high in fibre and potassium so they must be healthy, no?!

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Also in my kitchen are these non astringent, crisp fleshed persimmons, which can be sliced and eaten like an apple.

We've been harvesting fresh baby bok choy daily from the kitchen garden, and love it in stir fries and also steamed.

In my kitchen are freshly picked bay leaves and the sweetest veal osso bucco slices, which I use in my mother's broth recipe, one of my family's favourite comfort foods.  Oh, and in Osso Bucco too, so heartwarming at this time of the year.

You've got to love a man who knows how to shop. Peter bought this tomato puree for me.  Isn't the bottle so sweet?!

Our first ever harvest of citrus fruits have pride of place on the kitchen bench. There are lemons, limes and kaffir limes.

Anathoth passionfruit curd and lemon curd arrived in the post just this week.  Peter has been licking his lips and waiting patiently to taste test these little babies to see if they really do taste 'just like home made'.  Watch this space for more.

These soft sugar pearls from Queen Fine Foods are a winner, especially for those who have cracked their teeth in the past!

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And also in my kitchen...

There is a spray of orchids delivered to my door as a 'get well' gesture by a very, very sweet friend.  Thank you again xox

And finally, in my kitchen there is a little treasure chest for those really, really tough times when you feel like screaming at the world 'Why is this happening!?'  A very wise woman once told me that it's quite okay to put traumatic life events into a box and close the lid.  'If you ever want to open the lid and peek inside when you feel the time is right, it's okay to do so,' she said.  'But if you never want to do that, then that's quite okay too.'  Sage advice, methinks.  And it works well too.

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The lovely Celia, at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial hosts a monthly series titled In My Kitchen, where you can meet food enthusiasts, cooks and bloggers from all around the world.  Pop in and visit, say hello to Celia, and a whole bunch of others who join in.

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So tell me dear readers, what's happening in your kitchen and your world this month and how do you deal with tough times and difficult life-changing events?