Lemons | The Complete Book

In My Kitchen – July 2012

This month’s In My Kitchen is brought to you from a very cold kitchen. Winter has not been very kind of late and the temperatures are well below what I can digest. I am in no less than 3 pairs of socks at any one time. This is the first winter we have had an electric blanket – oh what heavenly bliss – knowing that I can climb into a toasty bed at night makes this cold weather that much more tolerable and the fur babies are enjoying the benefits of a warm bed too. 🙂

In my kitchen…

Is a huge bowl of lemons which I have just harvested from our 2 trees. I am only showing you the prettier ones. There are some that look very peculiar with knobbly bits and blemishes. They are all fabulously juicy and I am guaranteed to be making more than one Lemon Meringue Pie and recently found what looks like a super easy lemon and poppy seed cake – naturally though I will be turning it into muffins.

In my kitchen…

Is the sweetest Honey Pot which I received from a boss forever ago. Sadly I don’t use it very often as the ants always find their way through the little gap in the lid.

In my kitchen…

Are my “antique” little Mustard Spoons which haven’t been used in a while.

In my kitchen…

Are two bowls which I bought at the local supermarket when we were living in Mauritius. Not quite sure why I never bought more, they were dirt cheap. The famous hindsight…

In my kitchen…

Are 2 wooden bowls which used to belong to my FIL. I was recently reminded of them when I saw a post over at Misk Cooks. Misky was looking for and eventually found wooden bowls to use for course salt and pepper.

In my kitchen…

Is a jar of pickled onions gifted to us from a friend. Thanks Cazzie.

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.

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.