good things - Liz Posmyk
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In my kitchen - September 2015

1/9/2015

66 Comments

 
Liz Posmyk Good Things - my journal
The last two items packed into my carry-on luggage ahead of our recent adventures were a brand new cloth-covered note book and a favourite ballpoint pen. I made a promise to myself that I would put words on paper at the end of each day – keeping a journal of our travels and investing time in the enjoyable process of writing.

I'm so glad that I did this over the 45 days that we were away, otherwise some of those experiences might fade into memories all too soon. Creating a photo and story book of the trip is at the top of my agenda, so the journal (the pages of which are now full) is an excellent point of reference – as are the many postcards and photographs collected along the way. 
Pile of postcards - Liz Posmyk Good Things
After visiting my father's final resting place in Budapest, quieter moments gave me the opportunity to reflect on my parents and the way in which they made the most of their retirement. Gently, but with gusto. Travelling, cooking, gardening, reading, enjoying the company of family and friends, walking by the seaside, and living out the last of their days.

I relish that I, too, am now retired and can spend time playing in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes and recreating the good things that Peter and I tasted on our travels. Compiling a family memoir and recipe book is also (back) on my agenda. In the fullness of time, I will revisit the manuscript that's been sitting in the bottom drawer since the 1990s. Ü
Nemes Edes paprika from Budapest - Liz Posmyk Good Things
That pile of postcards and my journal have pride of place on my kitchen table, alongside several bags of Noble Sweet (Édes nemes) paprika purchased from a market in Budapest. Some are gifts and others are for my own larder. I won't run out too quickly, for my cousin, Gyuri, gave me a gift of paprika (and palinka!) before we left. Édes nemes is essential for Magyar cooking: gulyás, paprikás and the like do not taste as good if made with the hot or bitter varieties of paprika.
Porridge Spurtle from Scotland - Liz Posmyk Good Things
In an effort not to overload our suitcases, we promised not to buy too many trinkets, but I did treat myself to this porridge spurtle and will 'christen' it on this award winning recipe by the lovely Christina, who won the annual World Porridge Making Championship Specialty Award in Carrbridge, Scotland last October. It reminds me of the Great Kitchens built by James IV in the vaults at Stirling Castle. More on that in a future post. 
Liz Posmyk, cook, traveller and wordsmith in the Great Kitchens at Stirling Castle

This snippet was compiled as part of my regular In My Kitchen series, which is hosted by my dear friend Celia, from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Tell me, dear readers, what's happening in your kitchen this month?
66 Comments
Jennifer @Milk and Honey link
31/8/2015 04:52:08 pm

I feel like my life isn't complete, I don't have a gorgeous porridge spurtle. What a fabulous souvenir of a memorable trip. The artwork on those bags of paprika should be in a frame.

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:48:56 pm

Thank you Jen... I love the little paprika bags... have special plans for them xx

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Krista link
31/8/2015 05:49:48 pm

I love your porridge whatsit! :-) And the paprika makes me smile. I'm really excited because my Hungarian friends have a relative coming from Hungary next month, and he's bringing me paprika!! :-)

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:49:32 pm

Oh, that IS exciting! I can remember waiting for my parents to come back from their yearly visit! : )

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Maree link
31/8/2015 11:50:16 pm

Years ago I saw Nigel Slater talk about using a spurtle and I've had my eyes open for a nice one ever since. Is that like a museum/wax works you've photo bombed? :)

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:43:03 pm

Hello Maree... you might find a spurtle online, or go to Scotland, as I did : ) No, it was not a wax works... it was the Great Kitchens at Stirling Castle in Scotland.

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Mandy link
1/9/2015 03:47:52 am

I bet you would make a small fortune if you could sell those porridge spurtles Lizzy. :-)
Have a beautiful day.
:-) Mandy xo

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:49:56 pm

I bet I could, Mandy love. Have a great week xx

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Glenda link
1/9/2015 05:12:52 am

Hi Liz. What wonderful holiday memories you will have. Every day I try to live life to its fullest. No point having regrets when it is too late.

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:50:36 pm

Hi Glenda, we do, we do. So nice! I am with you... my father always said 'Every day is a gift'. x

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Ania @ milktoastandhoney.co.uk link
1/9/2015 06:35:01 am

Hi Lizzy, I'm still intrigued by the spurtle... Lucky you and the recipients of all that gorgeous paprika!

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:51:02 pm

I am looking forward to trying my spurtle : )

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Misky link
1/9/2015 10:35:23 am

I have a spurtle!! I bought it in Glasgow years ago. Brilliant little tool.

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:46:02 pm

I'm looking forward to using mine, Misky xx

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e / dig in hobart link
1/9/2015 11:11:34 am

I would keep those little paprika bags, they are too pretty to throw away!

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:46:36 pm

That goes without saying, Elizabeth... I have special plans for them xx

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Liz link
1/9/2015 11:52:48 am

This is the second time I have read about a spurtle. What a fun thing to have in your kitchen. How big is it? It looks as big as a rolling pin that might have been used in Edinburgh for a vat of porridge! But, it must be the size of a medium wooden spoon.

Sounds like you had a lovely trip. Is the paprika so very different than that you can get in a good store?

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:48:25 pm

Hi Liz, it's the length of a wooden spoon, but thicker. If you can find noble sweet paprika in your part of the world... make sure it is from Hungary. There is a difference in the flavour between this and 'ordinary' or smoked paprika. Some can be quite bitter.

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Zsuzsa link
1/9/2015 12:05:33 pm

Lizzy, which market did you go to in Budapest? Does the Scottish porridge spurtle mean that the porridge is in thick globs? If not how is it used? Did you take off with that bread? Haha.

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:45:17 pm

Hi Zsuzsa, we went to Lehel Piac... it was just 300 metres down the street from our apartment. I will investigate others on our next visit. The spurtle is used to stir the porridge. I used to sell them when I had the cookware store. No, lovely, I didn't take off with the bread : ) xxx

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Amanda link
1/9/2015 12:44:42 pm

I love the packaging on your paprika - I'll be looking forward to seeing what you make with it!

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Lizzy
1/9/2015 12:53:38 pm

Thanks Amanda, it is such pretty packaging, isn't it!

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Francesca link
1/9/2015 01:25:44 pm

A lovely post Lizzie. A friend's mother, before she passed away, advised her daughter," Don't waste your sixties" This is sound advice to those who are lucky enough to be retired and it sounds like you are getting into it, just like your parents did too.
Love the cloth covered journal. I am a prolific journal keeper, though have now resorted to cheap exercise books.

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John / Kitchen Riffs link
1/9/2015 01:34:44 pm

Who knew I needed a porridge spurtle? Not me, but now I do. Fun stuff in your kitchen this month -- thanks.

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:14:15 am

A welcome addition to every kitchen, John : )

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Eha
1/9/2015 02:03:11 pm

Quietly noticed your beloved father had asked to go to his final rest 'back home' . . . . so many of my countrymen from here also have graves under the firs and oaks and birches in Estonia . . . . On a different note I just loved the markets in Budapest - methinks we wandered around each and every one, but then did spend most of a summer there and had the opportunity . . .

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:15:33 am

Ah, thanks Eha... my father moved back to Budapest not too long after my mother died. His ashes are in a very peaceful crematorium there, though my sister did bring some home with her. Yes, I loved the markets there too... and would happily go back someday.

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Hotly Spiced link
1/9/2015 02:08:30 pm

How lovely you were able to visit your father's grave. I do love coming home from a holiday with a bag full of memories and gifts xx

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:15:57 am

Thanks so much for your kind words, Charlie xx

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Red Nomad OZ link
1/9/2015 05:16:17 pm

Smoked Sweet Paprika is my spice of choice - it's amazing how many things it enhances (whether it's meant to or not)!

Pumpkin everything is in my kitchen this month - but my all time favourite is pumpkin scones - served with my own melon, lemon and ginger jam, of course!

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:16:18 am

It does, doesn't Red.... pumpkin is one of my favourites! Yum.

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Anne link
1/9/2015 09:52:33 pm

I shall be interested to see Celia's comment on the spurtle! Looks as though you have a good selection of memories - written, edible, useful ...

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:16:59 am

Thanks Anne... Celia has not been popping in lately... quite understandable... she has too many other things to think about. Yes, I do have a great collection of fond memories xx

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InTolerant Chef link
1/9/2015 11:30:32 pm

Looking forward to seeing that paprika in some dishes soon Lizzy :) The spurtle looks good, does it do a good job of stirring? Xo

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:17:14 am

Thanks Bec. It does indeed! : )

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Gretchen link
2/9/2015 07:36:35 am

I'm intrigued by the spurtle, sounds interesting. The paprika looks great and their bags are priceless.

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:17:27 am

Aren't they pretty, Gretchen!

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Liz link
2/9/2015 12:58:21 pm

I'm so glad your goal is to live your retirement years to their fullest! I love your treasures and can't wait to see what marvelous dishes you create that were inspired by your travels. xo

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:17:50 am

Liz, thanks so much. Apologies that I have not been popping in lately... so busy catching up xxx

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Shari from GoodFoodWeek link
2/9/2015 06:44:37 pm

OMG - so many beautiful things from your travels. I love creating photo albums when I return from my holidays - I love peppering them with quotes and memories. I used 'Shutterfly' and they always do an amazing job.

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:18:06 am

Thanks Shari... just a few little items, really.

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Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
2/9/2015 07:28:47 pm

I love those bags of parika Liz. I was given one when my cousin came back from Budapest a few years ago. I too am going to bring back a spurtle. Have fun creating your memory book :)

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:18:19 am

We shall compare spurtles xxx

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Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
3/9/2015 07:50:53 pm

Oh sweet paprika is so wonderful, one of my favorite spices!

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:18:30 am

Mine too, Laura xx

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Tania| My Kitchen Stories link
4/9/2015 07:42:39 am

Wow you had a lovely long trip. I followed with interest. A trip just isn't the same unless you bring as many things home as possible.

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:18:43 am

Tania, thank you for your very kind words xx

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Sally - MyCustardPie link
5/9/2015 01:36:08 am

What beautiful souvenirs. Love the notebook. Budapest is high up on my list to visit.

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:19:01 am

Oh Sally, it's just beautiful!

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Veganopoulous link
5/9/2015 02:46:52 am

these IMK blogs make me want to buy stuff like the porridge spurtle, even though I don't make porridge much and wouldn't need a spurtle. I think it's just the name 'spurtle' that makes me want it!

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:19:17 am

It is a good name, isn't it! : )

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Kavey link
5/9/2015 02:48:06 am

Oh the paprika bags are so pretty!

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:19:30 am

Aren't they, Kavey xx

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Moya link
5/9/2015 02:47:44 pm

Hi Lizzy so happy that you had a trip full of wonderful memories and you got to visit your fathers final resting place. Love the photo of you in the background... my, you were busy baking all that bread :)

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David link
6/9/2015 12:29:50 am

I did not know, until today, that I needed a spurtle! Fun post, Liz,

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:19:39 am

Thanks David xx

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
7/9/2015 12:48:44 am

I also bought a spurtle when I was in Scotland and used it on porridge. It was a great tool for it! :D

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Lizzy
12/9/2015 02:19:56 am

Thanks Lorraine... you say 'was'... did it break?

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Emily (Cooking for Kishore) link
12/9/2015 07:34:24 pm

Lovely paprika packages, looking forward to seeing the recipes you'll use them in! :)

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Lizzy
26/9/2015 02:59:20 am

Aren't they pretty, Emily. Thank you for stopping by : )

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Miss Food Fairy link
12/9/2015 10:49:43 pm

Seems like you had a wonderful time in the UK, by all the postcards, photos and journal full - looking forward to hearing more about your trip over time :) Loving the look of your paprika & chilli powders. Lovely to have you home & #IMK xx

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Lizzy
26/9/2015 02:59:34 am

Thank you ever so much xxx

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sherry m link
17/9/2015 03:45:20 am

isn't it funny how everyone is talking about spurtles these days? i think fiona from tiffin bites started it:) I have several and i love them all. oh yes very important to keep a diary while you travel so you don't forget anything. see you in october at the conference.:))

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Lizzy
26/9/2015 03:00:01 am

I might have missed some of the spurtle talk... but yes, looking forward to meeting you!

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Maureen | Orgasmic Chef link
17/9/2015 10:24:34 pm

I never heard of a spurtle before this. How have I survived to live this long without one? One can only guess.

I have paprika envy. :)

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Lizzy
26/9/2015 03:00:15 am

Oh Maureen, you make me smile. Hugs xx

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2019.   All rights reserved.
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