In My Kitchen – February 2013
Even though I am away at the moment, I didn’t want to miss sharing a few goodies from my kitchen with you.
In my kitchen…
Is a box of Malawian tea which Pete brought back for me from his recent trip to Malawi. He said they have quite a few other varieties and will bring back more for me on his next trip there.
In my kitchen…
Is Malawian coffee. I asked Pete was it was like as I haven’t had a chance to try it yet and he said it is difficult to say as one day the coffee was extremely strong and then the next is is extremely weak, depending on who was making the coffee. I must say it smells fabulous.
In my kitchen…
Are Malawian pan roasted peanuts. Pete was given a bowl of these every evening in his room.
In my kitchen…
Is my latest plant-sitting project. Pete planted a few chilli seeds before he left and thankfully I have been able to keep these little fellows alive. I may just be getting green fingers.
In my kitchen…
Is a bowl of dried chillies waiting to be planted.
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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Love the little pot with the sprouts. So cute!
By: Kristy on March 5, 2013
at 07:05
Thanks Kristy! Have a happy day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 09:46
Love seeing all of your South African coffee’s and teas and such. Want to learn more about all of these delicious treats I have been missing out on.
By: Bam's Kitchen (@bamskitchen) on March 5, 2013
at 11:19
It would be awesome to package some of my favourites to send over to you Bam. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 12:07
I enjoy peeking into your kitchen! I hope you are well?
By: Zirkie on March 5, 2013
at 12:06
Thanks Pink. All well thanks, hope the same with you. have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 12:08
You know what, M? It sounds like you’re SO happy to have your Pete back, and that makes me smile a lot, because I know how happy I am whenever my Pete is with me too. And how nice that he brought you so many interesting treasures! The chillies look hot! I hope they all grow well for you!
xx
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on March 5, 2013
at 12:10
It’s always wonderful having Pete home, he travels far too much! The chillies are very hot – think they are some sort of bird eye something or another. Have a wonderful Celia.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:19
The chilli plant reminds me that I need to grow one, maybe two, too. Thanks for sharing, Mandy.
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on March 5, 2013
at 12:53
I think you should plant two Angie. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:20
I love all your things from Malawi. I’d love to try the coffee. And good luck with your little plant – I hope it grows well xx
By: hotlyspiced on March 5, 2013
at 14:22
Thanks Charlie. I have just tried the coffee and it will take some tweaking to get the right ratio – it seems to be quite a weak blend. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:21
The pot of chilis and the bowl of dried chilis look like some good eating ahead.
I love trying foods from afar- especially when they are brought to you with love.
Thanks for sharing!
By: heidiannie on March 5, 2013
at 15:24
Hi Heidi, hope you have had a good month. I’m off to see what’s in your kitchen this month. have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:27
Hi Mandy
Lovely treats from your Pete. I hope he is home for awhile!!
By: Glenda on March 5, 2013
at 15:52
Hi Glenda, hope you have been well. Sadly he is off on another 2 trips! We are quite used to it now though as we have been doing it for quite a few years. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:57
Malawi? Who gets to go to Malawi? I’m jealous!!! Great post.
By: chef mimi on March 5, 2013
at 16:10
AND he is going back for another week. Think we should go with. Thanks for stopping by Mimi. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:14
Love these posts – thanks for sharing:) I am still trying to setup my kitchen from the move. Happy Tuesday!
By: cravesadventure on March 5, 2013
at 19:02
Thanks Renee! Can’t wait to see what’s in your kitchen soon. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:15
There’s nothing like the smell of coffee when the packaging is first opened. It’s almost intoxicating. Thanks for the glimpse into your kitchen, Mandy.
By: ChgoJohn on March 5, 2013
at 19:09
Thanks for stopping in to have a look-see John. I’m up in Joburg at the moment with my folks. Mom had an op on her feet so here to give her a little TLC. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:18
I hope she’s doing fine, Mandy. You’re a good daughter. She raised you right.
By: ChgoJohn on March 7, 2013
at 07:30
Aah John, THANK YOU! I will see you on the flip side. Have a happy day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:47
I’ll love to pop by your place to try some of that tea and coffee! Lovely collection of items in your kitchen!
By: bentodays on March 5, 2013
at 21:07
Oh that would be fantastic! Thanks for stopping by and have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:26
That little pot is adorable. It’s funny that you mention coffee because I’ve been experimenting with some new ones here & so far one called Pete’s French Roast wins hands down. I’m always interested in the packaging of foods from other countries & noticed the tea mentions “export quality”.
By: dianeskitchentable on March 5, 2013
at 23:27
My Pete would be very proud to hear there is a coffee named after him, now if we can just replace the French with South African… I remember when we lived in Mauritius, all the tea also said export quality – must be a standard possibly. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:29
Well, if your Pete keeps bringing you such wonderful gifts and treasures from his travels, you may not want him to stop for very long. What fun! Too bad you can’t go with him.
Thanks for this peek into your kitchen!
By: Spoon Feast on March 5, 2013
at 23:48
I would love to experience some of the places Pete visits! Oh well. It is lovely all the little treasures he brings home. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:31
Mandy, I wanted to ask you about something. I am teaching a Global cooking class next semester and am curious, is there a dish you would say that profiles South African Cuisine? What are the typical spices, herbs etc you use?
I’m heading over to Celia to ask her the same of Australia. I know its like asking for an “American” dish, but am mostly interested in your opinion.
Thanks!
By: Spoon Feast on March 5, 2013
at 23:52
Hmm, what an interesting question. South Africa is a multi-cultural country so the flavours are quite diverse. As far as spices go, curry blends, masala, garlic, ginger and tumeric are standards as well as fresh herbs. I need to give this a little more thought. Hope this helps for a start. Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:38
Your chili seedlings looks healthy and happy, I see lots of fresh chili peppers in the future.
By: Norma Chang on March 6, 2013
at 03:38
Thanks so much Norma! Would be lovely to share some with everybody too. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:40
You do have a green thumb, I don’t know how you kept such teensy, delicate plants alive, I know I couldn’t! What interesting ingredients in your kitchen!
By: Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on March 6, 2013
at 03:52
I can’t usually keep things alive that are so tiny Smidge, but think I give them extra attention knowing Pete wants to plant them. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:41
What adorable little sprouts! Hope that those lovely dried chiles grow up into pretty sprouts and then come to full fruition! All very grand. And inspiring. I guess I’m going to have to try my hand at growing them too.
xoxo
By: kathryningrid on March 6, 2013
at 07:26
Kathryn, if I can keep them alive and healthy, anybody can, promise. Your garden is always so lovely in the summer months. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:42
Ah he’s bought you so many lovely things. Am interested to know more about the coffee. Let us know once you try it. And those dried chilis look like they will be hot!!!! (Wonderful)….
By: Chica Andaluza on March 6, 2013
at 11:04
The coffee was a bit of a disappointment Tanya, I will however give it another go and make it a bit stronger to see. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:43
I love what’s in your kitchen. And your treats are definitely making me hungry
By: Purely.. Kay on March 6, 2013
at 17:53
Thanks Kay! Have a happy day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:44
Hope you’re having a good time away, Mandy. Love the little touch of green growing in your kitchen!
By: bitsandbreadcrumbs on March 6, 2013
at 19:24
Thanks Betsy. I’m in Joburg spending time with my folks. Mom just had an op on her feet. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 7, 2013
at 07:45
How exciting that you have baby chillies coming up! Well done you! ; )
By: Lizzy (Good Things) on March 7, 2013
at 21:16
Thanks very much Lizzy. I am amazed they are still doing so well being under my care. Have a great weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 8, 2013
at 16:34
Enjoy your Malawian treats, and the time with your parents
By: Tandy on March 9, 2013
at 12:41
Thanks very much Tandy. Have a lovely week ahead.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 10, 2013
at 07:19
Nice one Mands, do you dry the chillies out then plant one seed only per plant that you want to grow?
By: moi du toi photography on March 12, 2013
at 13:29
Yip, dry the little chillies first then Petie usually breaks them open over some potting soil and covers them – couldn’t be easier.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 12, 2013
at 14:49
Mandy,
) Xxxxxx
I always look forward to peeking inside your sweet kitchen
By: My Inner Chick on March 14, 2013
at 01:56
Wish I could show you around personally Kim – it would take all of 3 seconds but we could walk slowly with a glass of wine in hand.
Have a beautiful day. 
xoxoxo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 14, 2013
at 08:54
It’s always exciting to see kitchens from far away. I’m a very curious person! I love trying different coffees, too.
By: Pat Machin on March 18, 2013
at 16:14
Hi Pat, thanks for stopping by. I love doing the IMK posts every month. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 18, 2013
at 18:00
We lived in Malawi for 3 years between 1982 and 1985 it was a wonderful place to grow up loved the food and the people.
By: Cindy on March 20, 2013
at 23:25
Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by. My hubby only has nice things to say about Malawi and the people. What a fabulous experience for you to have stayed there for 3 years. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on March 21, 2013
at 09:23