In My Kitchen – August 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by thecompletebook

In My Kitchen – August 2013

This months edition has a very Mauritius theme of sorts – really trying to extend my holiday memories.

In my kitchen…

Are 4 individual table place settings from a dinner with friends last night. Our winter garden doesn’t really offer any flowers so I get adventurous with pepper corns and maiden hair ferns.

In my kitchen…

Are 4 mini platters which I bought when we were in Mauritius. I desperately wanted 4 more but alas, I was already out of space in my bag and was also a touch worried about the weight of my luggage. Tell you what, we will just have to go back so I can get another 4…

In my kitchen…

Are pretty packs of serviettes from Mauritius. I mentioned to a friend while on the island how expensive I think serviettes are at home to which she lovingly took out her extensive collection of serviettes and gifted me a few packs. I was amazed how incredibly inexpensive they are on the island. Right, another reason to have to make a return trip to the island.

In my kitchen…

Is my latest favourite tool for sprinkling glitter over cupcakes. I have been searching for just the right silicone brush but alas all the ones I have seen are either too big or the bristles are too stiff until we were shopping in Super U in Mauritius and this little one with the softest bristles jumped out at me. It came with an accompanying mini spatula and a ridiculously cheap price. Double win.

In my kitchen…

Is chickpea flour, aka gram flour, aka bessane (besan). I have not been able to source any at home, but fear not, there was plenty waiting for me on the shelves in Super U. It doesn’t last forever though so guess we will just have to go back to buy some more.

In my kitchen…

Are 2 bamboo handled paintbrushes for the baking Tupperware – just in case I want to paint on something pretty on a cupcake and yes I got them in Mauritius.

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.

58 thoughts on “In My Kitchen – August 2013”

Tandy on August 1, 2013 at 07:36 said:

those platters are stunning – I went shopping on Saturday to look for some just like that but sadly there were none here. Have a great day Mandy 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:18 said:
  
  Thanks so much Tandy! Seems like you will have to come back with me to Mauritius to get a few. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder) on August 1, 2013 at 08:30 said:

G’day Mandy, your flowers are gorgeous and very creative, thanks for your kitchen view today, true!
Love your serviettes and love baking and cooking with besan chickpea flour too!
Cheers! Joanne

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:18 said:
  
  Hi Joanne, thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comment. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Pingback: In My Kitchen August 2013 | What's On The List?
- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:20 said:
  
  Thanks so much for the link love Joanne. 🙂 xo
  
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Hotly Spiced on August 1, 2013 at 10:37 said:

What a lot of interesting things. I love your serviettes from Mauritius and that silicone brush is gorgeous. I look forward to seeing how it spreads the glitter xx

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:21 said:
  
  Think I will have to get baking ASAP Charlie. Have a lovely day.:-) xo
  
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Glenda on August 1, 2013 at 11:38 said:

Mandy Those table decorations are very pretty and I can see why you liked those white plates. I do think you should go back and get 4 more.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:21 said:
  
  Thanks so much Glenda. See, now I will have to go back and get more of those platters. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Zirkie on August 1, 2013 at 11:42 said:

I love the individual flower arrangements! …and of course I adore the pink polkadot seviettes!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:22 said:
  
  Thanks so much Zirkie. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Spoon Feast on August 1, 2013 at 13:43 said:

Your photographs are really nice Mandy! You have learned the new camera well. What kind of lights are you using and how are you positioning them? do you use an umbrella to bounce light?
All the wonderful things you found are delightful. Personally, I have a thing for beverage napkins. . .Love them!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 15:29 said:
  
  Wow, what a fabulous compliment, thank you so much! The only think I use is a while card which I place everything on to photograph and use natural light in my dining room. My husband built me a light box but sadly I have not found the correct lights yet, although I can find extremely expensive ones – I will wait till I can find more affordable ones. Depending on what time of the day I take the photos, depends on whether the items are side lit or front lit. Hope that helps. I am not very good with the terminology. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on August 1, 2013 at 16:12 said:

Love your individual table setting, Mandy. Serviettes are very pretty too.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 16:13 said:
  
  Thanks so much Angie. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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dianeskitchentable on August 1, 2013 at 16:23 said:

I love those place settings…they’re so elegant. You did score some amazing finds on your holiday but I agree that a return trip is necessary. Those paintbrushes are fantastic although I’d be using them on canvas for sure.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2013 at 16:42 said:
  
  You will have to come with me then Diane – there were zillions of paint brushes. Oh we would have so much fun! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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  - dianeskitchentable on August 5, 2013 at 18:18 said:
    
    I’ll explain the need to go to my husband & maybe time it when they start demolishing my kitchen this fall.
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on August 6, 2013 at 09:44 said:
      
      Excellent plan Diane – now just to get the timing just right. 🙂 xo
      
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My Inner Chick on August 1, 2013 at 17:30 said:

I just love walking thru your kitchen, Mandy. Makes me feel as if I am “There!”
I adore napkins. I pick them up whenever and wherever. I need to send you some! Xxx Love.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2013 at 09:49 said:
  
  Aawww, how lovely Kim, thank you! Ooo, I have never had napkins from so far away before! You are the sweetest. Have a beautiful and love filled weekend Kim. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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Purely.. Kay on August 1, 2013 at 19:24 said:

I LOVE the mini platter plates. I always seem them in the store and want to purchase everything lol. I do have to get me some though.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2013 at 09:50 said:
  
  They are so handy Kay – you can use them for SO much! Hope you get some soon! Have a lovely weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on August 1, 2013 at 23:29 said:

Mandy, what a lovely holiday you had, and how nice that you can bring all these treasures home with you. I’m very taken with the little rectangular plates – I can see a whole lot of uses for them – and the serviettes are stunning! I think next visit to Mauritius needs to be just for shopping! 😀

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- thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2013 at 09:55 said:
  
  I would love to serve a starter on those rectangular plates – not sure what but something pretty. I do love the way you think Celia. We should all meet there for a little blogging family shopping spree. Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Lizzy (Good Things) on August 2, 2013 at 14:08 said:

Hi there… I have the same pastry brush, only mine is blue… I love it! My favourite thing in your kitchen is your little vases with pepper and maidenhair, just beautiful!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:05 said:
  
  I would have loved a blue brush Lizzy, it would have matched my kitchen better. It’s great fun seeing what I can put together from the garden for arrangements for the dinner table. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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heidiannie on August 2, 2013 at 14:42 said:

I love all your recent purchases! And the mini bouquets are the best way to go when dining- my sister used to have a small vase at every plate and offer the flowers to the diners to take home(minus the vase)- it was such a treat to take home a small handful of flowers!
I have a collection of napkins- one year for my birthday, the ladies I teach in Sunday school all gifted me with pretty beverage napkins… I still have about 20 packages of the prettiest napkins!
Thanks so much for sharing !

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:14 said:
  
  What a lovely idea to send your guests off with their own mini bouquet but like you say minus the vase. I absolutely love napkins – there are so many beautiful designs available. Have a super day Heidi, I will pop over to see what is happening in your lovely kitchen too. 🙂 xo
  
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Lisa the Gourmet Wog on August 2, 2013 at 14:57 said:

What a fabulous post Mandy! I love your gorgeous pepper corn and maiden hair fern arrangements! you certainly don’t need ‘flowers’ to brighten up a room, your creativity here with this combo has done it.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:15 said:
  
  You are very kind Lisa, thank you so much! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Kristy on August 2, 2013 at 20:59 said:

Such great things in your kitchen Mandy! I bet your kitchen is just such a fun and happy place to be. I especially love your floral arrangements (or non-floral arrangements as it were). They are just so colorful and elegant. 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:16 said:
  
  Kristy, you are so very kind, thank you! My kitchen is actually very small and I would love to be able to extend it. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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ChgoJohn on August 2, 2013 at 21:40 said:

Those place settings you created, Mandy, are beautiful. Who needs flowers? And Mauritius sounds like a cake decorator’s paradise. When will you be going back?

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:17 said:
  
  Aww, thanks John! I doubt I will be going back to Mauritius John, but you never know, anything can happen. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Norma Chang on August 3, 2013 at 00:45 said:

You did well during your shopping spree in Mauritius. Your 4 individual table place settings are lovely.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:17 said:
  
  Thanks very much Norma. Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
  
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Jas@AbsolutelyJas on August 3, 2013 at 08:44 said:

I’m with Charlie – really interested to see how that silicone brush works spreading glitter on cupcakes. I think you have more than enough reason to return to Mauritius too 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:41 said:
  
  Hi Jas, thanks for stopping by. It would be lovely to return again – such a pity I never took more advantage when we lived there. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Pingback: Honored with the Liebster Award! | Spoon Feast
- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:50 said:
  
  Thanks for the link love, off to have a ready. 🙂 xo
  
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Spoon Feast on August 3, 2013 at 16:36 said:

Hi there, I don’t know if you do awards or not, but I’ve given you a shout out for a Liebster Award. You can pick it up here: http://wp.me/p1K7lx-1Kx if you are interested. I enjoy your blog!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:50 said:
  
  Thanks again for the award Pamela, so very kind of you. 🙂 xo
  
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Marianne on August 4, 2013 at 04:55 said:

I love those tiny arrangements with the pepper corns and maiden hair ferns. So clever! And the little packages of serviettes are very pretty! A fun assortment of goodies!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 09:43 said:
  
  Hi Marianne, thanks for stopping by. I am hoping to have some mini roses for the summer for my arrangements. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Karen on August 5, 2013 at 15:52 said:

I can see that you will definitely have to make another trip. You don’t need flowers when your winter garden provided you with your lovely arrangements for your table.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2013 at 16:02 said:
  
  I just wish that in reality I could go again Karen. I bet your garden provides an abundance of beauty for arrangements. Have a happy week ahead. 🙂 xo
  
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Bam's Kitchen on August 6, 2013 at 02:13 said:

Lots of fun things in your kitchen and it is nice to gather new items in your travels. I guess you will just have to go back to Mauritius to get the matching set of your serving dishes. Do you still have friends in Mauritius? Plan B is to have them send you the rest. Take care, BAM

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- thecompletecookbook on August 6, 2013 at 09:45 said:
  
  I do still have friend in Mauritius Bam, I actually thought about that just yesterday – great minds I tell you. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Sous Chef on August 6, 2013 at 17:04 said:

I bought one platter, not as nice as yours but it was only R11 at the Chinese shop, keep meaning to go back and get some more. What’s the betting there aren’t any?!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 8, 2013 at 08:52 said:
  
  Ooo, I love a price tag of R11 – my kinda price. I always argue with myself and do the same thing, buy one and go back when the stock is finished. I have a good feeling you will get another one, or 3 when you go back. Have an awesome day. 🙂 xo
  
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Sandy on August 10, 2013 at 13:26 said:

Hope you’re happy with your silicone brush! 🙂
I know what you mean about searching for the right kitchen tool to meet all the requirements we have for our gadgets!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 11, 2013 at 09:06 said:
  
  HI Sandy, thanks for stopping by. It is amazing how I will search – sometimes endlessly for just the right tool, not willing to settle for anything other than what I am looking for. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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TIFFIN bitesizedfood (@TIFFINbitesized) on August 13, 2013 at 03:06 said:

Lovely to read a post from a fellow Southern Hemisphere Blogger. It seems that you did indeed have a good time in Mauritius and your kitchen is all the better for it. The simple pleasure of going to the supermarket whilst you’re on holidays in another land can fill hours can’t it? I’m surprised you don’t have besan at home, given the large Indian community but glad you were able to get some. Enjoy!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2013 at 10:12 said:
  
  Hi Tiffin, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I can’t even get Besan at speciality stores either – I might be able to find some in bigger towns but alas I am not near any. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Kim Bultman on August 14, 2013 at 05:00 said:

Looks like you’ll be having fun cooking, baking, & serving with these “IMK” treasures. Your silicone brush does indeed appear “just the right size” — mine has large bristles and frustrates me no end (tends to “fling” rather than “brush on”, ha!) I especially liked your individual decorations — so pretty!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 14, 2013 at 10:25 said:
  
  Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by. I know exactly what you mean about the flinging vs brushing. 😉 Have a super day. 🙂
  
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