August In My Kitchen

The garden is finally beginning to produce , not in large amounts though, mostly raspberries.  I've made quite a few sweet dishes with the raspberries - Raspberry Coconut Balls; and Raspberry Pavlova and even a Raw Raspberry Mousse Tart.   

and then there are the runner beans, dripping from the bean poles, the only vegetable not attacked by the birds and the slugs.   

I've made a couple of Runner Bean dishes (that I have yet to share on my blog), but one is made with Zaytoun Palestinian Za'atar.  Za'atar is a zesty Middle Eastern seasoning made with wild thyme, toasted sesame seeds and sumac.  I discovered Zaytoun when I lived in Glasgow and went along to a Fairtrade event.  The Zaytoun  extra virgin olive oil is like no other extra virgin olive oil that I have ever tasted, it was simply pure, flavourful and coated my crusty bread like melted butter. This particular jar of Zaytoun Palestinian Za'atar. got lost in the back of my kitchen cupboards and has only been rediscovered, it is now in the front and will be used actively in my kitchen. 

I also have some Zaytoun Smoky Freekah.  I did cook with some last month, but the brand that I used was not overly smoky, so I thought I would try a different brand.  Verdict to come.

I have some Raw Beetroot and Rosemary Crackers, ready for me to tear open when I have the munchies.  And some Pearls of Sarmarkand Mulberries.  I tend to nibble on dried fruit when I want something a little sweet, but is anyone have any ideas what to do with them, other than stirring into breakfast - muesli or granola base, a recipe would be most appreciated.    

Talking of breakfasts, I have been making the most of Cacao Nibs.  I've recently made Raw Chocolate and Avocado Mousse; and wait for it....

Raw Chocolate Muesli with Cacao Nibs and Cocoa Powder.   Its utterly gorgeous to eat.

I've also recently discovered a new brand of herbal teas CharBrew.  I have been making my own chocolate tea at home with cacao nibs (recipe to come), but to find Chocolate and Orange Tea excited me.  I've had Chocolate Tea from a well known brand in the past and was really disappointed in it, as the next packet I purchased lacked chocolate flavour, and so did the one after that, so I have not bothered with that brand again, so you can imagine how pleased I was to find this.  I ripped open the packet and my face was immediately hit by the chocolate and orange smell. The taste did not disappoint either .  The other is Pineapple and Vanilla.  Next to the teas is one of my new mugs with map of the world on it.  I have instructed my husband that this mug is specifically to be used for hot chocolate or herbal fruit teas - not coffee or black tea (or he will be in the naughty book, where I tell him off for an hour or so and then forget).  

And some of you I am a snacker.  I love my savoury snacks with proper crunch.   I was sent some Manomasa Mexican Tortilla chips to review.  Not all there crisps are suitable for vegetarians, but some are such as the Green Lemon and Pink Peppercorns and Tomatillo Salsa here.  I loved the sharp twang from the Green Lemon that danced on my tongue for a while, and the pink peppercorns was a lovely touch, nice change from black peppercorns.  The Tomatillo Salsa had a wonderful balance of spices, but also heat and sweetness.   I am looking forward to trying out there Chipotle Lime when I find a place that sells them locally, otherwise you can pick them up at Ocado and Independent Farm Shops.  

I've a few more things to share including unused kitchen  gadgets rediscovered since I've moved home, but this new Optimuum 9400 Froothie blender has perhaps been the most used kitchen gadget in the last two months making smoothies, raw tarts, sweet desserts and sauces, so its only right that I write about it.  I do have a designer brand Food Processor and Blender (both gifts), but the difference with this heavy duty Froothie machine is that is pulps, purees and chops and cuts through ice (creating slushies) and dried nuts very easily, whereas other brands you have to stop and start, scrape down, and start and stop again; or its a no go area, in fear of burning the motor out and I have done that in the past.   I have found the  Optimuum 9400 blender a pleasure to use. There are no detachable parts to screw or lock together, it pops on and off.  It has been very easy to clean too, you just fill the jug with hot water from the tap and add a squirt of washing liquid, blend for a few seconds then tip and rinse out the contents. 

As I said, I have made lots of things in it, but the two that I am most chuffed about are Carrot Ketchup and Raw Carrot Halwa (recipe yet to be shared) which was a surprisingly big hit by every one who had a piece.

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

In My New Welsh Kitchen

Having moved back to Wales to years ago into rented abode, I have to admit, as lovely as it was I hardly cooked in the that kitchen. as my culinary adventures got me cooking in a little independent eatery that I got to make my own for a year.   Anyway, all that is past and I have moved home again, a little more deeper in to the valleys, but this time it is my HOME.  I don't know if it will be my forever home, but it is home for now and I am looking forward to spending some good years here.  

Today I am sharing some new things in my kitchen, as well as some old that I have rediscovered.

I picked up this handmade up-cycled scrabble board Home Sweet Home sign from a Craft Fayre last month for £3.  It hangs off one of the kitchen cupboards.  

At another Craft Fayre, I treated myself to some Welsh Bunting made with fabric - its about 12 foot.  I would like to use it the garden one of these days when I am entertaining family and friends.  

I also picked up a Welsh Apron.  I promise to take a picture of me wearing it in the near future.  

I'm trying to cut down on the morning caffeine, and have been trying to drink herbal teas, but recently I also sneaked in a box of traditional tea called  Murroughs Welsh Brew to try - stirring stuff!  

My nephew presented this Welsh Spoon with my name inscribed on it a few years back when I live in Scotland.  It has pride of place in my kitchen.  

This Welsh Dragon chopping board has featured on my blog before, the Welsh inscription 'Bara Cartref wedi ei wneud a chariad' translates 'home-made bread made with love'.

Above are some other Welsh gifts bestowed upon me by family over the past few years.  Welsh non-alcoholic Punch, Welsh Sheep Chopping Board, Welsh Sheep Money Box, Welsh Chocolate and Welsh Glitter Ball. 

In My Kitchen Series is hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.  It is an opportunity for worldwide bloggers to share what is happening in their kitchen.  Please do go by and read about the other bloggers sharing what's going on in their kitchen - the heart of many homes!

Oh I mustn't forget the daffodils, some on my window sill and some in the front garden.

Revisiting My Kitchen - October 2013

Whilst transitioning from Scotland to Wales, I extensively wrote about some of my kitchenalia. The series was called Presenting 22 of my favourite kitchen things. The first post introduced my readers to my collection of rolling pins.  I have to admit, I have added another one to this since I've moved back to Wales and will share it with you in due course.  

In the course of moving, I  even made a little goodbye film of my tiny eclectic kitchen in Glasgow.  I have to admit, I cooked there much more, than I have in the kitchen that I am in now.  Here's the link if you wish to take a peek of what was once my space.

Anyway, today I wish to re-visit some of those posts (see blow the links) as I wish to participate In My Kitchen Series hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.  I know I am cheating here a little, but I hope you will forgive me, but I do have to start somewhere. 

Garlic Crusher or it is a Garlic Presser
Garlic Baker or Garlic Keeper

One Sifter and Many Colourful Spatulas

I know the flour sifter shown here is presented a little awkwardly.  I wanted to show you what it looked like on the inside.

D got it for me on his way back from University one day - how romantic, not flowers or chocolates, but a sifter - ah the man knows me pretty well.  I was pretty chuffed it.  I do have a traditional flour sieve, one that my mother gave me.  However every time I picked it up, it reminded me of a tambourine.  I wasn't able to find it up until recently whilst packing for the move. 

So this manual sifter has been handy over the years for aerating flour, especially for muffins.  MMm muffins, I quite fancy some Coffee and Walnut Muffins today.

I have to point out though, its not particularly friendly if you have arthritis in the hand. as you have to squeeze the steel handles to release the flour, but touchwood I don't have to contend with those health issues like my mother (yet).  

I also have those stainless steel flour shakers for flouring the rolling pin when rolling out pastry.

When mixing, I do like to use a wooden spoon for stirring, but I have also taken a liking to spatulas.  Here are just three, though I have six or eight in various colours.  Many came my way free, namely through cooking magazines. 

Its good not just for stirring, but also for removing every last bit of Beetroot Muffin batter from the bowl.  Even for thinly spreading Meat-free Pig Free 'Facon' Bacon mixture onto the tray.

How many spatulas do you have tucked away in your kitchen drawers?

Peelers and Mashers

One gadget I would not now be without in my kitchen is a peeler.  Its not just good for peeling potatoes, but carrots, parsnips, swede, apples, pears and even butternuts squash too.  There is no waste with this peeler, peeling off only the tough skin.

D often moans about some of my gadgets not being left handed person friendly like the tin opener or a manual whisk, but not this good grip peeler that peels effortlessly.  I didn't buy this.   I acquired it when I was a student still living in student accommodation.  Well that's been over 12 years now and this still works well, the blades still sharp as the day I inherited it.  

After peeling the root vegetable ( and cooking) comes the masher.  I have a number of mashers: plastic ones, metal ones and even wooden ones.  I've never liked the standard metal handle ones.  I always seem to assert too much pressure on them and they bend and the plastic ones are always a nuisance to clean.  I do however adore my vintage (or is it retro) wooden masher and use it a lot.  Sometimes to make mashed potatoes, even chickpea hummus.   

The last time I used it was for the Baked Carrot-Parsnip Quenelles.

The masher is also good for pounding cooked beans - for refried beans.  The small dark one in the middle is often used for mashing soft fruit.

How many mashers do you have in your kitchen? 

Salad Spinners, Colanders and Strainers

Not the most interesting of kitchen gadgets, but necessary: a salad spinner and a number of colanders.

I remember my late father-in-law laughing at us when we said we wanted a salad spinner.  He hushed pretty quickly when my husband (his son) demonstrated the wonders of washed homegrown salad leaves spinning off excess water, enabling you to make soggy-free sandwiches.  This particular Salad Spinner was a little on the pricey side, but I managed to get mine in a sale.  I like it for two reasons, its one handed spinning operation - you press down on the black rubber knob and it spins effortlessly and secondly, its non slip.  My only qualm about it, smaller salad leaves sometimes gets stuck in the basket, so you have to work a little to clean it.  Otherwise, its been an excellent buy, I've had it now for over 8 years I think.    

 I also have a variety of sized colanders, or are they called strainers. 

Indispensable in the kitchen for draining cooked potatoes, pasta, rice, beans - oh lots of things.   The smallest one on top is often used for draining canned chick peas and making chickpea hummus.

I also have a very post colander hand-made from pottery.  Its designed specifically for strawberries, but I've decided to share that with you some time in the future.

An Orishigane and Other Graters

I have a number of odd graters.

The first and most reliable is obviously your bog standard box grater.  I am fussy with the way my  cheese sandwiches are made.  I don't like cheese slices between my wholemeal bread, I am a grated cheese sandwich kind of girl.  D often rolls his eyes at me, but i find grating the cheese accentuates the flavour more, whereas slices just offer texture.  I also use it for grating vegetable, namely carrots for Carrot cake or parsnips for Parsnip Cake.  So this box grater has seen lots of use, sadly the handle has come loose, so I'll be looking out for replacement. 

The ceramic one is known as a Orishigane (or Oroshigane). Its a Japanese grater, very different from the European ones.  First is has very fine tooth like spikes dotted over the surface and secondly, they are not perforated.  The grated vegetable: whether its diakon (radish), garlic, ginger, nutmeg, or wasabi  (horseradish)  is not pressed through the holes, but is rubbed over the spikes in a circular motion and thus remains clinging to the surface of the grater so that it can be turned into a very fine paste.  If you are ever fortunate to visit Japan, I know you can purchase some novelty shaped Japanese graters.  The only drawback with an Orishigane is cleaning it, a bit like a garlic presser, but I have since learned that a bamboo brush would sort that out.  

I have a small grater designed solely for nutmeg.  And a a couple of fancy microplane graters - that cost me a fare bit at the time.  Its good for finely grating a Parmesan style cheese over pasta or chocolate over a really indulgent Chocolate cake. 

If you don't mind me asking, how many graters do you have?  I do hope I am not the only one with a drawers full.

Whisks and Tongs

The very first whisk I ever owned was a hand held manual one (see the middle one).  I rarely use it now.  I have to be honest I do have an electric one too that comes out when whipping cream, making meringues or for souffles, though its been a while since I made souffles.  I think the last one I made and blogged abut one was a Feta Souffle .  Long time...

The duck blue whisk one (above) came free with a cooking magazine many years ago.  The one next to it is a mini whisk that I adore using for hot chocolate.

I also have a lot of tongs.  I must admit many of them have over the years been from my mothers kitchen. 

The one time I find myself using them is for serving spaghetti pasta.  I can make such a mess of it otherwise.    I also have a wooden set designed specifically for salad leaves, I promise to showcase that with my homegrown salad leaves next time.

Update: I am feeling much better - health wise and feeling more like myself so have started packing boxes for our move in two weeks time. Sadly the flat has not been sold, and though it is very unlikely, we have reduced the asking price of the flat by quite a lot, hoping for a sale sooner than later.   This means that D will still have to come up a few times until the place is sold. 

Anyway, right now, I am both excited and overwhelmed at all the stuff coming out of my cabinets: gorgeous plate, serving platters, cups and saucers.  I am amazed at some of the kitchen stuff that I am hoarding and has never seen the kitchen lights.  This is certainly going to change.  I don't know why I am keeping them hiding, time to use them, show them off and enjoy them. 

Garlic Presser or is it a Garlic Crusher?

I've mentioned before that in my kitchen, you will always find three fresh ingredients: onions, ginger and garlic. 

And these days in the modern kitchen, where there is fresh garlic, there is often a garlic presser or is it a garlic crusher?!  Whichever it is, I know its not an essential gadget, but I assure you once you find a good one - there is no going back.  I've never been that apt at mincing or crushing garlic by hand, my efforts are limited to slicing it thin.  So when I acquired this garlic crusher, I was completely sold.  I use it almost on a daily basis.  I've had it for over 10 years now.     

I actually won this while I was still a student in Glasgow through a food magazine.  In fact it was the first thing I had ever won.  I now often wonder how I ever managed without it in the kitchen. Here are a couple of recipes that make the most of garlic -  Garlic and Shallot Risotto and Jalapeno, Garlic and Kale Stew. 


An Update:  I think you will seriously need to get your violins out.  For the past five days I have been stuck in bed with a chest and throat infection.  It was so severe that my mother made an emergency appointment to go and see her GP, who prescribed me with antibiotics.  Unfortunately, this illness coincided with my job interview and presentation to a panel of 6.  In short, I did not get the job I had applied for.  I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with this outcome and haven't stopped crying to myself for the last two days.  My parents keep telling me 'to take heart and be strong', but the thought of going back to the Unemployment centre for very little financial support and a lot of nonsense fills me with dread.  All I have encountered from the heartless workers there is total unhelpfulness.  They treat you like a number and try to assert their piddly authority over you, and make out that your not trying hard to find a job.  I've worked all my adult life, the last thing I want is to be unemployed. 

The best scenario for me now is to hurry and move to Wales.  Being physically on the ground here, I can then sign up with a few employment agencies and perhaps get some temporary clerical work, as the work I am qualified and experienced in is just not coming my way.  For now though, its back up to Scotland on Saturday to make proper plans for moving our stuff down. 

Seaside days - Leigh-on-sea

Whilst in Essex, we took full advantage of the dry weather and explored as many scenic places as we could. Leigh-on-sea was one of them.
Leigh-on-sea or 'Leigh' as it is fondly known is a coastal town built on the Thames Estuary off the North Sea. Leigh-on-sea once was a thriving fishing industry: providing fresh native oysters, rock oysters and various shellfish, namely whelks, winkles, prawns, cockles and mussels (good old fashioned East end fare!). Oh I hear a song coming on see link - Molly Malone.

In Dublin's fair city,
Where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"
"Alive, alive, oh,
Alive, alive, oh",
Crying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh"

Not an English song, I know, but undeniably Old Leigh has Irish links.
Every year, Leigh-on-Sea celebrates Leigh’s fishing industry and heritage, but today it was very quiet. Other than the odd fishing boat here and there, it was relatively quiet and cold. We decided not walk on the gravelly beach, as it was rather muddy and I didn't want to get my shoes mucky. So we decided to head back and walk the streets of Leigh instead. Just look at these charity finds.
I purchased a Pyrex double boiler. I was surprised first to see a double boiler made out of glass, secondly the wooden handles. When I got back home, I looked on the Internet and could not find a similar one. So you can imagine how chuffed I was at my find and at a bargain price of £2.95.

My dear blogger friend Brenda fondly known as GardeningBren in Nova Scotia sent me an etsy link to a very similar looking Wooden handled Pyrex Double Boiler. If you follow the link, you will note that it has a lid. I knew the lid was missing from the one I purchased and wasn't so bothered by it, but I had not noted that the wooden handle was missing from the bottom one. I'm still rather pleased with it and will be extremely careful when I use it. I've just learned the reason behind why the handles were made from wood. Wood was used because the metal had to go to the war effort. This boiler was produced in 1941. There are also numbers and green markings at the bottom of each.
I also purchased two Royal Worcester porcelain egg coddlers with an easy screw top lid. Royal Worcester is Britain's oldest manufacturer of porcelain, and it was here, over a century ago, that the English tradition of Egg Coddlers began. The patterns on these two are called 'Bournemouth' and Lavinia'. Well how could I resist at a bargain price of £4.50 for the two of them.

My Tofu Press and Home-made Tofu Crisps

I try not to eat tofu as a meat replacement, but as an ingredient of its own. Although I have tried the silken tofu a couple of times, my preference really is to use the firmer tofu for dishes such as Tofu and Mushroom strogonoff, Thai Green Vegetable curry or even Red curry. However, the one major problem with tofu is that it is often waterlogged, making it not particularly pleasant to eat.
I made these tofu crisps a couple of days ago and anyone who has deep fried tofu will know that it is extremely watery, and we all know that water and oil do not mix. So getting rid of the water from the tofu in my home involves pressing the tofu with a 'cast iron' literally, which can be a hassle resulting in puddles of murky water.

 In the past I used to use plates and weights of tinned tomatoes and beans, but then came across this cast iron at an antiques fair and thought to myself 'ahh that it would be a handy kitchen gadget' for pressing all kinds of foods, not just tofu.

 I need a Tofu Press gadget, then making dishes like these Tofu crisps won't feel so dangerous. All that spluttering, made me nervous and I am quite comfortable cooking with hot oil! After I had shallow fried these think tofu strips I sprinkled over some salt and paprika. My husband took a bite of one and then decided I could enjoy the rest on my own. I think they were okay. In fact, if I am honest, I don't think I would make these tofu crisps again. I would rather eat the tofu spicy biltong instead, for me they had more flavour.

Inspire us – Asparagus

After work I stopped at the allotment to feed the plants in the greenhouse, especially the tomatoes, they will need feeding on a daily basis now. After feeding the plants, I paused to check out the asparagus bed to see it there was any sign of asparagus tips emerging from the bed, of course not - silly me, the asparagus is only in its second year, ah the high expectations we have.

D is envious of fellow plot holders down South growing asparagus. Unlike his patch in the West of Scotland; their patch of land is rewarding them with stalk after stalk. He aspires to have an asparagus bed like theirs one day. Looking at fellow bloggers images of their glorious asparagus also made me a bit envious, and I am not one who relishes when the asparagus season is upon us, but I wouldn’t mind growing my own. I was especially stunned by the size of Celia’s asparagus showcased recently by Eat Like a Girl. Oh well, for now we will simply enjoy what is being grown by British farmers.

Talking about asparagus. This is an asparagus steamer. I bought this for D for one of his birthdays a long while ago.

Look the asparagus falls through the sides and it is not even steamed yet. It has one purpose to hold the asparagus and it cannot even do that, it is even worse when the asparagus is steamed as it falls through the sides even more so. My advice is if you are considering getting one of these, Don’t, you can steam asparagus well without having one of these gadgets. This asparagus pot just sits high on one of our shelves, like an ornament rather than a functional kitchen product. But if you feel you must purchase one ensure that the strainer inside will hold the asparagus stalks, otherwise you may be disappointed like us.

Now onto food: Ready made puff pastry (yes life is too short to make your own, unless of course it is your vocation), asparagus stalks and a generous grating of vegetarian parmesan cheese and bake.

What more can I say. Enjoy!