In My Kitchen – November 2013

Wow, can’t believe I just typed November which means this is our second last IMK post of the year.  It is also very exciting that there are so many new contributors to this fun monthly peek into each others kitchens.

In my kitchen…

Is a leftover piece of cheese and caramelised onion pizza which I made yesterday for lunch.

In my kitchen…

Are some lavender sweet peas waiting to be put in a vase, as well as some pretty pink ones which I placed at our entrance hall, so not really in my kitchen and a smaller arrangement which I will put on my desk.

In my kitchen…

Is a beautiful mini viola plant which my sister-in-law Karin gave to me. 🙂

In my kitchen…

Are my coriander seedlings.  These guys are ready to be potted for the herb garden so they can join the rest of the coriander and other happy herbs.

In my kitchen…

Well, technically just outside of my kitchen are 2 fig tree slips which I planted when we pruned the fig tree. I am thrilled that they are growing.  I planted a few others but don’t think they have survived.  I reckon I should have seen a leaf shoot on all the slips I planted and not just a bare twig.

In my kitchen…

Are some shot glasses which I use for individual place settings when we have family and friends over for dinner.  They really work well and are considerably cheaper than mini vases.

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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Fig Tree Update

I have been wanting to share a little update on our fig tree but for the most part have not found a sunny day to take any pictures – I ran outside the other day when there was about three and a half minutes of sunshine and managed to get a couple of shots.

Remember this is how it looked at the end of August…

This is what it looked liked about 5 weeks ago…

And this is what is looks like now…

And the best part is…

I am trying really hard to be patient, waiting for these beautiful fruit to grow, mature and ripen – I salivate at the mere thought of being able to stand happily under the big leaves eating fig after fig, then being overcome with guilt that I am not saving an equal amount for my mom who is as enthusiastic about figs as what I am.

Speaking of the leaves, here is a link to the the recipe I posted for Fig Leaf Liqueur – it is the festive season after all and if you make this now, it will be ready for your New Years party. 🙂

Note to self:  Leave enough figs to bake with.

Our Fig Tree

Our fig tree is standing bare and somewhat lifeless at the moment, which is expected for this time of year.

We originally received a slip taken from one of my Dad’s colleagues trees in Johannesburg which he sent for us with the hopes that it will survive – it did and has grown into a very healthy tree.  Thanks John.

We kept the slip in a pot until it got acclimatised and settled to the new environment  however never quite got around to planting it.

Anthony, a very close friend of Pete’s unexpectedly passed away a few years back and a while later, his brother Rob was visiting with us and it was decided that the boys would plant the fig tree in remembrance of Anthony.  It grew very quickly into a sturdy tree and produces the most wonderfully sweet and juicy fruit.

It has been far too cold to work in my office which is at the back of the house where the sun’s warmth just does not seem to penetrate so I have temporarily moved into the dining room where it is lovely and sunny.  I enjoy watching the garden birds feed from the little house Pete made hanging from a branch on Anthony’s fig tree and listening to their tweets and chatters.  It’s hard to believe that in a few months it will be hanging heavy with fruit again and I will have to grapple the birds to get to the fruit before they peck though them all.  I do love standing in the shade of the tree eating the figs until my belly feels like it is going to pop.  What a wonderful summer lunch. 🙂

While Dad was visiting a couple of weeks ago, he bought a pack of imported figs from Israel as a treat for Mom and I – they were yummy but nowhere near as sweet and juicy as ours – it did however leave me willing the time away so I can once again enjoy the fruit from our lovely tree – in the interim, pop over to Rufus’ Food and Spirit Guide and enjoy Greg’s recipe for the only fig tart recipe you will ever need.