In My Kitchen – February 2012
Doing these “In My Kitchen” posts has made me realise how quickly time is passing – it honestly felt like just last week that I did January’s edition.
Straight into it then…
In my kitchen…
Is the most delightful and fun tea mug with strainer and lid which I received from (to be technically correct) our nephew and his lovely wife. I brewed a cup of vanilla tea from Seychelles that I received from my brother a thousand years ago but couldn’t pick up the vanilla – guess it has been standing too long. No matter, my mug drinks beautifully and it will be super awesome to use the lid during the winter months to keep my tea warm. Thanks again Simon and Elaine, I will treasure my lovely mug, always.
In my kitchen…
Is a new milk jug that has been added to my ever growing collection of little jugs. A girl can never have too many little jugs. How could I possibly resist buying this adorable very useful flagon when it only cost R19.99! It has a matching sugar bowl which for some unexplainable reason I did not purchase – now worries as my aunt was kind enough to buy the last one on the shelf for me a couple of days ago- it too only cost R19.99. It is probably just as well that I live out of town or I may need to join a support group for people who can’t resist and own large quantities of little jug and bowls.
In my kitchen…
Is the coolest cupcake / muffin carrier. I have been wanting one for the longest time but have been unimpressed with the cost and look of the ones available BUT then my aunt (yip, the same one who kindly got me the sugar bowl) found this little fellow sitting on a shelf just waiting to be bought. How could I resist – it was very reasonably priced and the tray inside inverts to form a shelf so you can store 24 cupcakes, 12 per level.
In my kitchen…
Are the first figs of the season which were rescued by our handyman / gardener who had put “scarecrow” cd’s in the tree to keep the indian miners from pecking away at our fruit but alas it did not work as they feel feathers for the cd’s blowing about in the wind and munch away at the fruit regardless, so Lando decided it best to rescue what he could for me. I have not as yet made anything with them but have got as far as selfishly sitting crossed legged on the couch munching one after the other – delightfully delicious! I have a couple of recipe ideas so hopefully I will be bringing you some delicious recipes soon.
In my kitchen…
Is a vase full of green (unripe) lemons. Sadly a branch of our tree cracked and fell to the ground – might have been the heavy winds or the weight of the fruit – not sure. Unfortunately they are bone dry inside so until I can figure out what to use them for other than their zest (possibly preserved lemons), they will remain a feature of the house. Do you have any ideas?
In my kitchen…
Is a sachet of fresh mini broccoli that Pete received from his sister for his birthday. I am very intrigued by this idea of growing veggies on your kitchen windowsill. All that’s required is to cut off the top third of the sachet, open the seed packet inside, pour said seeds over organic soil and keep moist – and within 10 to 20 days you will have mini broccoli ready to be eaten. I will keep you posted on the progress.
In my kitchen…
Is a set of flexible pairing knives for intricate cuts and inspired garnishing, another gift for Pete from his sister. They have lovely short blades which look super sharp. Will let you know when we have mastered turning tomatoes and the like into pretty flowers.
What’s in your kitchen this month? Please remember to link back to Celia’s blog Fig Jam and Lime Cordial if you partake in the fun.










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I bought the same tea mugs for Browniegirl, Tandy and myself
By: Cindy on February 1, 2012
at 07:08
Awesome, now we all match!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:42
Oh how fun that you have your own lemon tree! I’m sorry that a branch fell off – but I love what you did with the fruit. So pretty. And those figs look fantastic!
Always love these little glimpses into your kitchen Mandy!
By: Kristy on February 1, 2012
at 08:13
Thanks Kristy, I am pleased you enjoy these posts – I look forward to doing them every month. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:46
wow, you have an awesome collection this month! The lemons cannot be preserved if they are hard – but you can freeze the zest for use. I have the mini beetroot and basil growing on my windowsill – the microleaves are so pretty I keep forgetting to actually use them
By: Tandy on February 1, 2012
at 08:39
Thanks for the info about the lemons Tandy – I will just keep the zest then. Have a happy evening.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:48
Love it, Mandy! Thank you for playing! The little milk jug is adorable, and the tea cup set just perfect. I know exactly what you mean about a support group though, I could use a couple of those for my own tableware addictions..
I wonder if you could use the lemons to make an Indian style lime pickle? I’ve never tried though, so I wouldn’t know where to start, but it’s just a thought. And how incredible do those FIGS look!! I’d been waiting to see how your tree went!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on February 1, 2012
at 11:37
Thanks for the idea about the lemons Celia, I will investigate that a bit more. I have been thoroughly enjoying the figs – it is hard to resist walking passed the tree without looking for just one more ripe fig. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:50
Those little knives look interesting. You’ll have to give them a try and show us your handiwork!
By: Misk Cooks on February 1, 2012
at 12:01
I will set to making something look pretty for your Misk. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:50
Everything looks exicting – so many lovely gifts! I rememeber you posting a picture of your fig tree all bare and sad when ours was in full bloom, and now ours looks all bare and sad and yours is delivering the goods!
By: Chica Andaluza on February 1, 2012
at 13:23
It would be lovely to post a few off to Tanya, not sure they would survive the trip though so maybe I should bring them personally. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:52
These posts are favorites of mine, Mandy. That is a lovely tea cup; such a nice gift. Too bad the birds have outsmarted the CDs. They usually do. At least you were able to salvage some of the fruit. Thanks, again, Mandy for this mini-tour.
By: ChgoJohn on February 1, 2012
at 14:41
I really do love sharing these little bits and pieces John, makes it more fun knowing you enjoy them so much. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:52
Love those flexible knives!
By: zestybeandog on February 1, 2012
at 16:42
I will report back on how well they work Jen. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2012
at 16:53
You have some very cool things in your kitchen, Mandy! What a lovely tea-mug set, I’m jealous that you are starting your fig season, and I thought those lemons were limes! How I wish I could grow a lemon tree here. A wonderful tour of your kitchen and a great post.
By: bitsandbreadcrumbs on February 1, 2012
at 18:29
I am so pleased you enjoyed the tour around my kitchen – I look forward to sharing more with you next month. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2012
at 14:23
Figgin’ A this is making me jealous! Oh to have fresh figs.
By: Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on February 1, 2012
at 19:38
I would love to be able to share some figs with you and Katherine. Would be awesome to post some off to you if I could. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2012
at 14:25
Your kitchen is a treasure trove- Figs, Lemons, Tea cups and milk jugs- Love the cupcake holder- and the lemons!!!
Even green and dry- they are a spectacular display!
I love garnishing knives- I use them regularly especially on vegetables for a design on trays.
Thanks for sharing- it is a lot of fun to have a look into your kitchen!
By: heidiannie on February 1, 2012
at 19:49
Hi Heidi, I wish you were closer to give me a few lessons in using garnishing knives. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2012
at 14:29
Oh, the first figs of the season… how delightful! And I just love that cupcake holder too… how many years did I spend trying to figure out how to transport without destroying cupcakes to/from the boys’ school… that would have been mighty handy!
By: Kelly @ Inspired Edibles on February 1, 2012
at 23:37
There are so many wonderful things available now days Kelly – too many actually. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2012
at 14:31
—Mandy.
I adore visiting you in your kitchen.
Lovely.
I especially WANT the cupcake carrier. I’d use That!
xX kISSS from MN.
By: My Inner Chick on February 2, 2012
at 06:22
Kim, you can borrow mine any time! We won’t mention the distance dilema – maybe I should bring you one of your own. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2012
at 14:31
Mandy—Looking forward to your fig creations. And I hope to then borrow your inspiration for next fig season here.
- Michael
By: Michael Beyer on February 2, 2012
at 19:50
HI Michael, I hope you enjoy the recipes to use them as inspiration. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2012
at 11:49
Your figs are so big and perfect looking. I would love one of those muffin/cupcake containers. What a great idea.
By: Hotly Spiced on February 2, 2012
at 22:01
I have just eaten another 3 figs! Have a super weekend Charlie.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2012
at 11:52
I just about love everything. I was sitting here thinking “Okay love that, Oh.. I love that.. ooohh I love that” LOL. It was actually quite funny to listen to lol
By: Purely.. Kay on February 3, 2012
at 00:21
Thanks Kay! I love that you love everything! Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2012
at 11:52
Oh, figs, how yummy! I look forward to seeing your recipes. I have just posted a very simple, but beautiful fig salad recipe. Glad I found your blog, so many wonderful things in your kitchen. I wonder if the little windowsill gardens are available in my area?
By: Lizzy (Good Things) on February 3, 2012
at 15:18
Hi Lizzy, thanks for stopping by and for your very kind words! I look forward to reading about your fig salad. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2012
at 16:54
Hiya… I would love to add your blog to my links… may I?
By: Lizzy (Good Things) on February 17, 2012
at 12:39
Hi Lizzy, what an honour to be added to your links. You may absolutely add my blog, thank you. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 17, 2012
at 12:51
I’d like to place an order for some seedlings…I’ll take a dozen Figs, A handful of lemon, and a whole case of those CD seeds…Oh, and do you also grow a DVD?
Bless You
paul
By: sonsothunder on February 6, 2012
at 17:01
Working hard on the DVD seeds Paul.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 6, 2012
at 17:18
I drink tea all day long and I have one very similar to yours. =) That’s true, your In My Kitchen has been a great reminder of how one month passes by SUPER quickly… I love this series and I hope you will continue!
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on February 7, 2012
at 01:47
I will definitely carry on with these Nami, they really are great fun. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 7, 2012
at 10:45
Hi there, where did your sister in law get the broccoli sachet? I have just had a wonder through some of your posts, I recently got a ‘real’ camera, the Canon 1000D and I am also learning how to use it. I enjoyed your IMK and I want a cupcake holder like yours!
By: Sous Chef on February 11, 2012
at 10:47
Hi Sous Chef aka SuperGran, thanks for stopping by. I am thrilled you are enjoying my posts, thank you. How fun that you also have a ‘real’ camera – I am still a little lost with the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed but will persevere. Just wish I had more time to play with my camera. My SIL got the broccoli sachet at Woolworths in Port Elizabeth – not sure which branch but if PE has them, you should be able to find them at any of the other branches.
Have a super Sunday.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 12, 2012
at 15:12
Glad you liked the tea cup. Seemed like the most fitting Xmas present for you.
By: Simon Stewart on February 15, 2012
at 15:38
It’s an awesome mug Sim, thank you! Much love to you all and enjoy Elaine’s birthday dinner.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 15, 2012
at 16:16