Zaytoun In My Kitchen

I don't have very much that is new in my kitchen this month, just a handful of things that I would like to share.  I have a small selection of Zaytoun produce.  Zaytoun is a social enterprise founded in 2004  to create and develop a UK market for artisan fairly traded Palestinian produce that carries the stories of  'the producers and their land'.  Last month Zaytoun celebrated their 10 year anniversary.  

I discovered Zaytoun when I lived in Glasgow and went along to a Fairtrade event and have been using their ingredients in my kitchen since, especially  their Palestinian Za'atar made with wild thyme, toasted sesame seeds and sumac - a very versatile ingredient, but to be honest I've never really written about Zaytoun on my blog, until now.

In my kitchen this month not only do I have the zesty seasoning za'atar, I also find myself with some maftoul.  Maftoul is a large, hand rolled and pearly grain made from dun-dried bulgar wheat, it has a unique, nutty flavour, some large Om Al-Fahem premium almonds that are sweet,  and large caramelised almonds, a packet that I know once opened you will not want to share with anybody, but a deserved treat for yourself.     

The Zaytoun organic extra virgin olive oil is like no other extra virgin olive oil that I have ever tasted.  The extra virgin oil is extremely luscious and rich, thick, packed with flavour and smooth like velvety gold.  It really is hard to describe. You will have to try it to know what I mean.

Just a couple of weeks back, I tore into my packet of smoky green wheat grain Freekah and made a Smoky Freekeh Warm Salad dish with Roasted Aubergines and Chickpeas.  Hand on heart it was one of the most simplest and most delicious meals ever and I really put it down to the ingredients, rather than the recipe.   If you ever stumble upon Zaytoun ingredients, I would encourage you to try something from the Zaytoun range. 

I forgot to share these Oxfam Ice Tea and Lemonade cans with you last month for IMK, I got them from Bruge, Belgium from Oxfam whilst there for a long weekend.  Yes, I was sold by the pictures on the can, I've never seen anything like this in the U.K, so had to bring back home some to show to friends and family interested in diversity related issues.  I wonder if they will hit the UK Oxfam stores next year?!

I also picked up this gorgeous  ceramic cookie press/mould from Bruge, Belgium for a bargain price of 5 euros reduced from 10 euros.  Of course, I have yet to use them.

These crochet apple baubles are not strictly for the kitchen, but because they a apple shaped, I just felt I had to share them.  I picked them up early in the month from a local craft fair.  

And finally, Christmas Collection tea-bags from Yogi Tea.  I was introduced to Yogi tea by my friend Leah when I visited her in the USA, the only one I tend to buy now and again is the Choco Chilli, but with it being Christmas, well I thought I would treat myself.  

I am sharing this post with Celia at Fig and Jam for November edition of In My Kitchen Series. Please go by and check out the other IMK posts. 

Yarn Bombing People Like Us

Every other weekend, I will go into Cardiff, sometimes for window shopping or sometimes for pleasure, but last month, I found myself having to go into the Cardiff Bay area for a meeting.  I was there a little too early, so decided to walk along the Mermaid Quay, when I saw what made me smile.  I've seen this cluster of statues before, they are called 'People Like Us' representing the cultural and ethnic diversity of Cardiff - past and present. The dog, woman and man had all been given a cosy and colourful make-over with some gorgeous knits, otherwise known as yarn bombing. The statue woman is wearing a headband, flowers wrapped around her arm like a bracelet as well as the knitted bikini, the man knitted shorts and the dog a bandana.  I became aware of yarn bombing first when I lived in Glasgow, one example was finding this little monkey with a knitted hat at the Glasgow Botanical Garden.  

Anyway, this particular yarn bombing came courtesy of a South Wales based yarn guerrilla-ists called Woolly Welsh Wo/Men.  The aim of the Woolly Welsh Wo/Men is to make your smile (it certainly does);  produce occasional quirky yarn stormings; and beautify the local.  Whenever I see yarn bombing, its makes me all envious and wish I could crochet or knit. I try and give up, every time.

Abergavenny - Gateway to Wales, Or Another Ghost Town?

Last Wednesday, whilst the sun was still shining (unlike today) we took a drive to Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, South Wales. 

'Gateway to Wales, Or Another Ghost Town?' is the sign we saw on a number of shop windows.  If you want to read know more about this, see here.

Abergavenny is about 20 miles from the English border and attracts tourists due to its closeness to the Brecon Beacons National Park. 

We decided to check out the Abergavenny Market Hall that was hosting its weekly 'Flea Market'.  On other days it has farmers markets, antique and crafts fairs and so forth.   A definite invitation to return again.

Like any tourist, I have a tendency to look up - not architecture in this case.  

You can see how busy the market is in the picture below. It seems really popular.   

Since 1999, Abergavenny has been hosting an annual  Food Festival.  It has grown and become most successful over the years.  This years Abergavenny Food Festival will take place mid-September.  Of course, I'd love to go.  I will have to wait closer to the time to see what commitments I have.

After wandering the High Street and ducking in and diving out of charity and thrift shops, we walked on over to the towns Medieval stone castle.  

Abergavenny Castle.

This is just a glimpse of Abergavenny - I do hope to return there again.  Perhaps alone, perhaps with family, perhaps with friends, but return I shall attracted especially by the Market Hall. 

Look as I sign off for the day, I  tease you with a distant glimpse of me eating a bag of crisps. That is really me, always nibbling.

Crafty Friends

When December arrives, one of my yearly rituals was to buy a new ornament for the Christmas tree.  Sadly last year this did not happen.  This year did not start well for us either for a number of reasons, including my redundancy and unfortunately this dark gloomy cloud continues to hover over us.  As much as we have tried to remain upbeat and optimistic about future opportunities, we have stumbled that it has now beginning to impact on our interactions and moods.  The Christmas tree is still stuck in the attic along with the seasonal decorations, the tinsel and the baubles.  It seems very unlikely that any of it will be coming out to see the light of day. 

However, I do have two lovely pieces that are bringing warmth and a smile to my sad face.  Early this year, I was kindly sent this tiny handmade knitted sweater with hanger by The Hobbit.  I think it is absolutely adorable and will look absolutely charming hanging from the Christmas tree next year.  Thank you so much Hobbit.

Something else I recently acquired: cute little felted gingerbread men tree decorations which came courtesy of Sian Lile Makes.  When Sian wrote  she 'had a few spare, and if would anyone like one?'   Of course, I jumped at the opportunity for something new for my Christmas tree.  She is so kind.  She couldn't decide who to give the gingerbread men too, so all those who left a comment, all seven of us, including me, were lucky to receive our own gingerbread men.  Thank you so much Sian. 
Both the groovy knitted sweater and these gingerbread men are presently happily swinging off my door handles - bringing a little Christmas cheer in my home.

Taking of small homely crafts, I'd like to introduce you to some old and new fellow bloggers whom astound me in small yet wonderful ways.  Veronica of Queiero Pura Lana. Veronica is based in Argentina and specialises making things by handloom/weaving, crochet and embroidery.  Veronica writes her blog in Spanish, but I am able to use 'google translate' and read her blog entries and learn more about her and her family.  Here is an example of some of her work.  Another talented fellow blogger is Toru.  Toru is based in Australia, though her roots are both in Britain and New Zealand.  She makes beautiful things such as quilts, baby clothing and what attracted me to her blog was her Doily Tree blog post.  Toru isn't blogging much these days and she's not apologising for it either - good for her as she's enjoying motherhood.   I would also like to mention Sooz at The Last Biscuit.  Sooz love for life is really infectious.  I wish she lived near as I need some of her positive energy to rub on me.  I often joke with her, that she can teach me to crochet and I'll bring the cake.  Good deal I think.  Yesterday, albeit through blogging, I also met a new upcoming crafter and young entrepreneur: Little Craft Boy who makes things from coloured cla/fimo such as key rings and tree ornaments.  I was delighted to learn that he is Scented Sweet Peas little boy.  I know where he gets his crafty skills from.  Scented Sweetpea also has a heart warming blog, and she also has a shop selling some of her home-made crafts.  And finally, but not least Jee at Jee and Me who does lots of crafty things, she paints, draws, knits, and makes the cutest baby booties and baby bonnets. Jee recently broke an arm, but gladly now on the road to recovery.

Please do go by and pay a visit - maybe leave a comment, I know they will appreciate it.

Kilmarnock Statues

We had planned to go into Edinburgh today, but on waking up this morning changed our minds. 

Instead let me share some photographs with you from Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, Scotland.  Some of you may have heard of Kilmarnock as it known as the home to the Johny Walker brand of Scotch whisky.  Kilmarnock town is known to locals warmly as 'Killie'.    

As part of the towns regeneration,  you will find  public street art art in the form of sporty and humorous sculptures emerging from the pavements and some on plinths - many of them humorous.  I think its a wonderful idea and a great way to enliven and create a bit of interest in the town centre.

After playing tourist in a town I've been to many times.  I wandered into some of the charity aka thrift shops. I did not come out empty handed. 

I saw some hand knitted socks in one shops and just could not resist them for my cold feet. The lady behind the counter told me, that one of the elderly volunteers knitted and donated them to the charity shop. I listened in admiration, as I'd love to be able to knit my own things, but I need a teacher , or someone to guide me as I always come stuck at some point. The only thing I have ever successfully been able to knit was a vibrant purple teapot cosy.

I am sharing these thrifty hand knitted socks with the Penny Worthy Project hosted at hey what's for dinner mom? 

look...theres a ladybird in my Christmas tree

Here are a few things dangling of my Christmas tree. A ladybird, strawberry and a fiery chilli ornament, they are actually all key rings made by an organisation called Streetwires in South Africa. I got mine early in the year from a fairtrade event. I think they are quite versatile and suit the allotment to kitchen theme.