Odds and Sods around the kitchen

Once again, there is not much new in my kitchen, but i do love participating with In My Kitchen that Sherry's Pickings hosts, so I thought, i'd share some things in my cupboards that are all connected to the kitchen. 

But before that let me share some Rosemary Salt I made.  I know, so easy.  On reflection though, i wish i had minced the homegrown dried rosemary.

I know Sherry likes her pottery, so do I.  I picked up these pottery glasses or cups from a charity shop a few years ago.  I don't know much about them, I think they may be Japanese cups, but cannot be sure, regardless I like them and have used them in the past once for mulled apple juice. 

Bit and Pieces in My March Kitchen

In my kitchen are lots of things that have come and gone. 

Firstly, I picked up these little spice jars: ginger, mace, cinnamon, mixed spice and cloves from a charity shop for 50p each purely for decorative purposes.  They are on the wooden floating shelf in my kitchen. 

I also picked up two larger jars for lentil and rice, though neither will be used but will probably hold ladle and wooden spoons 

I picked up these two ceramic cow jugs as I simply liked the look of them and they were on sale in one of the shops. D rolled his eyes at me as I unwrapped the paper from them, as if to say - really - why do you want those?!.  

Now for some staples in my home.  I tend to use either honey or golden syrup for oat flapjacks.  I had started buying golden syrup in plastic containers as it was cheaper, but have decided to go back to the tinned version as its recyclable.  I also wanted to point out that I had never noticed the dead lion covered in flies on the green and gold tin.  I wonder why?! 

Things on my Wooden Floating Shelf

A few weeks ago, we had some new windows put in.  D decided to inject some colour into the space and put up some wooden 'floating shelves'.  This room is actually supposed to be a conservatory, but it hardly gets any sun, so we decided between the two of us it would be an extension of the kitchen.

This extended kitchen space is looking even more awesome now, as I have got to showcase some of our hard earned kitchenalia from years gone, including Tierra Negra pots, Fairtrade tea cups and saucers from Natural Collection.  Some Le Creuset soup bowls with lid (all on the top shelf), as well as many unbranded kitchen gifts from from family and friends. 

Here is a picture of the extended kitchen space with a breakfast table  for two (on the left) looking out onto the garden.  D has been loving this aspect of the space, as he will come down with his ipad, make himself a black coffee and gaze out at the birds on the feeder.

Some of you may remember last year we purchased a grocers wooden crate fruit vegetable stand (right at the back in the photograph above) as I wanted something to stack my collection of storage glass jars.  Some Kilner, some LaParfait some and some up-cycled coffee jars all holding lentils, rice, flours, spices and other dried foods.

Here is my charcoal Magimix that D got me well over a decade ago when we lived in Glasgow.  He got it for me for Christmas.  I have a photograph of me unwrapping it.  I am ashamed to say that I have hardly used it as I tend to do everything with my hands, but I will make more of an effort.  

We went to a place called Ledbury a few weeks ago and stumbled across a shop selling old and new nick nacks.  We saw this cereal and dry food dispenser.  As we tend to buy a lot of our dried goods in bulk like beans and lentils, I couldn't resist it, it was a affordable bargain price.  Some girls and boys come back with new shoes, I go to a new town and come back with a piece  for the kitchen.  I feel ever so posh now.  I have pasta, dried fruit, rolled oats and rice in it so far.  

Tiffany style tea-cup lamp.  If you look at the first photograph, you will also see a Tiffany style tea-pot lamp.  I love these.  D got them for me when we moved back to Wales. He does love me very much. 

Some storage jars.  I picked these up for 50p each at a Car Boot Sale. They compliment others that I have at home with olives, herbs and spices. 

September Finds In My Kitchen

Alas its September the month that slowly brings in the seasonal changes in both weather, fruit and vegetables and colours. 

I picked up this ceramic Hen Trivet from a Cats Protection charity event for £2.50.  

A few weeks back we went to a Sunday Boot Market in Bristol.  A elderly womanknown as Grandma to the young girl who was sharing the stall with her was selling these truly vintage 1960s Carnaby Elizabethan tea set comprising of tea cups and saucers.  She shared she had purchased it from new and was selling it originally for £25.00, but was willing to let it go for £20.00.   I have always coveted them, the fact that they are all different and the flower pattern is so pretty. I just could not pass them by.  I gave D the batted eye lashes. He succumbed to my charm and said go on then... ..I adore them.

Some homegrown tomatoes

Raspberry Vinegar and Black Truffle Chips In My Kitchen

Over the Easter holidays, we went to the National Botanic Garden of Wales.  I have new photographs to share and will d so at some point, but here are some pictures from our last trip a few years back.  

I picked up these herbs for the garden plot: bronze fennel, borage and oregano.  

After exploring the Botanic Gardens again, we went for a wander into the town of Carmarthen.  

I went into the Carmarthen Market and picked up a bottle of Raspberry Vinegar.  I know I will be making this come summer with homegrown raspberries, but I got tempted at the thought of homemade salad bowls dressed with raspberry.

I was rather surprised at the number of vegetarian places in Carmarthen, there were two as I recall someone once telling me that there were none, little fibber.  There were also a couple of independent wholefood places including Aardvark Alternatives where I got this China Rose Radish Sprouts from; and Waverley Wholefoods, which I will write more about when I share photographs of our day exploring Carmarthen. I loved these sprouts, they added a lovely peppery bite. 

Dandelion 'Honey', Gingerbread Syrup and Chocolate Wine In My Kitchen

In my kitchen, I have some foraged cooking apples bestowed upon us by our neighbours.  We have good neighbours the only thing that makes me frown now and again is their barking mad Jack Russel.  The little thing is territorial and thinks that our front garden is his territory and the naughty little thing has even found his way into our back garden.   

When we bought the place a few years back, the previous owner who had a Sheep dog told us that the neighbours dog did not get on well with his dog, I did not think anything of it, but it concerns me a little now as one day we hope to adopt a dog of our own and this little beastie will make it nervous, but I guess we will cross that bridge when the time comes.  I am thankful for now to have good neighbours touch wood. 

I've made a few recipes with the foraged apples, obviously Apple Crumble and Dorset Apple Cake, Apple Scrump but one recipe I really want to make is Green Gourmet Giraffes popular Apple Slice.  

Last weekend we went into Cardiff to wander around the Christmas market and the shops, yes Christmas shopping has begun in earnest.  We walked passed some shops and picked up some turnips , a little damage, but its one of D's favourite vegetables so I picked up three.  I have only used one of them so far for Turnip and Potato Gratin.  I am still thinking about what to do with the other two.  

Snake Beans In My Kitchen

I have lots of new things in my kitchen, like new tea-towels and a new kettle and a gorgeous retro umbrella shaped cake stand that I picked from Crock and Cosy in Rye, East Sussex, but I haven't got round to taking a picture of any of these, so this is a short post to share some things that I have managed to photograph  in what is becoming a dark kitchen with the changing season. 

I picked up these ceramic celery, garlic and tomato pieces from the flea market in Bristol a little while back.  I am not quite sure of their purpose, but they could serve either as spoon rests or to hold olives maybe, or maybe they are just designed to be admired.  The vegetarian and vegetable grower in me could not resist bringing them home with me. 

I've purchased Snake Beans also known as Yard Long Beans from the Bangladeshi grocers before, but forgot about them and then turned brown and had to be put into the compost bin.  I have a couple of ideas what I want to do with this.  the obvious thought would be a Bangladeshi curry which is what the woman at the grocers advised, but I am still thinking about it.  Have any of you cooked with Snake Beans and have any new ideas for me.   

Some little pumpkins picked up from a farmers market.  Too pretty to eat, at the moment they are still on my table being admired, but they will be consumed soon, perhaps in a pasta salad for a working lunch.

We went to Glastonbury not last weekend, but the before previous and I loved visiting Earthfare Wholefoods.  I could have spend a good hour in there browsing the shelves, but.  I picked up some sprouts and some spices including Tograshi Spice Blend (Japanese), Garlic Salt and Horseradish Powder which I used yesterday for my Beetroot and Horseradish Popcorn. 

Some of you may remember that a little while back I picked up some Korean Chilli Powder, well I finally got round to making some vegan Kimchi at home.  It is still fermenting.  I will give you my verdict soon.  A friend at work of Slovac heritage also gave me a jar of homemade Dandelion honey, which I hope to share later in the month with you as its accidentally vegan - she had not intended it to be vegan. 

I had the nephews and nieces over early in the month and made some Red Quinoa, Sweet Potato  and Chilli Burgers adapted from my Parsnip and Quinoa Burger recipe.  I do like a good veggie burger, its just a shame I don't make them as often as I used to a couple of years back when I was running the vegetarian cafe. 

I have been experimenting a lot with Japanese Sea Vegetables Salad and Green Nori Sprinkle.  Some of you may remember my luxurious Vish Ocean Pie.  The latest being these Fish Free Sea Vegetable Cakes.  I will share the recipe soon as these are vegan.  

I have some large bottles of Stubbs Legendary Bar B Q Sauce.  Majority of Stubbs products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.   I am looking forward to using it for Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.  I have been using Stubbs hickory liquid smoke for a while, mostly in my facon bacon, including the most recent coconut facon bacon and seitan variation too. 

A friend at work introduced me to Twinnings Intensely Beetroot Burst Fruit teas.  I drink the lemon and ginger a lot, but these were new and I liked them very much, so I have been drinking it a lot and in the evenings I always have a cup of my favourite Celestial  Bengal Spice, the spices hit me right in the back of the throat which I like and the smell is amazing too.  

In the fridge we have Koko Dairy Free alternative to milk and some milled linseed that are being sprinkled over porridge when I can be bothered to make it

And finally some Peri Peri Rub and Dosa Podi flour mix.  I'm looking forward to playing with this during the weekend.  

I am sharing this Vegan Mofo edition of  In my Kitchen with our new host Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things.  In My Kitchen is a event for food bloggers to share what in their kitchen from all around the world, it was started by Celia who blogs over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.     If you interested you may want to take a peek at  Vegan Month in my kitchen last year.   

April In My Kitchen

I don't have loads of fresh stuff this time round to share.  My fridge is pretty empty as I have been away for a few days, so I share with you some things that I picked up not that long ago.  

These retro sauce pots that stack up on top of each other: Devil Sauce, Curry Sauce, Tartare Sauce and Mustard Sauce.

Cardiff Indoor Antique and Flea Market

A few weeks ago, instead of going into the City of Cardiff for a day out, we decided to track down its Indoor Flea Market.  

After a couple of wrong turns on the industrial estate, we found it.  Under its massive roofed building the market hosts over 60 eclectic stores.  Each stall is unique, selling goods ranging from antiques, retro, recycled, second hand, upcycled, and vintage goods.  Here are a selection of some the wierd and wonderful that caught my eye.

Five Egg Cups

We don't celebrate Easter in our home, no reason - we just don't.  We rarely purchase or eat chocolate shaped eggs, other than those that are shared in the workplace.  But we do occasionally eat free range eggs.  

This Friday I thought I would share some egg cups in my home.  Now before I do, I must say, neither of us really do dippy eggs, but I do like kitchenalia and many of these egg cups were picked up mostly for aesthetic reasons, than for functional reasons. 

First up, these farm animals shaped egg cups - hen, sheep and pig.  I did also have a cow, but it's head fell off and there was a crack in the cup itself so it was lobbed.

Next I picked up these old fashioned egg cup holders from a charity shop with my mother in law a couple of years back when I moved back to Wales.  They weren't in great condition when I brought them home, and they are sadly deteriorating, but I do like them.

Parsnip Porridge and Green Granola In My Kitchen

I picked up these cute little tomato and apple oven mitts a few weeks back from a charity shop.  I don't know if I will ever use them, as they are quite small.

Last month I had a few days off from work as I have loads of annual leave to take by March.  So I have been home alone most of last week, indulging in breakfast still in my PJs, but no vegetarian fry-ups.  Fry up are kept for weekends when I am with my husband.  No for me, its been cereal. 

Tea for One, Gingerbread and Flower Sprouts

The Christmas tree is up with its eclectic ornaments, handmade and gifted, but I am not here to talk about them dangling off the branches, but what is in my kitchen.  

I have some jars of Welsh Lady jars of Roasted Chestnut Chutney and Mincemeat with Brandy and Sherry.  I actually got them last year, but had forgot about them, I am definitely going to use them this year.

Black Radish Tart and Others Things In My Kitchen

Lat month I went on holiday to Marseille, South of France.  I would like to say I came back with loads of kitchen and edible goodies, but the fact is that I did not.  I picked up some sweets for the nephews and nieces and some little gifts for a handful of colleagues at work,; and for myself I brought home a Radis Noir d'Provence.

Yes, you read right a Black Radish from Provence!.  It was tremendous. 

  A garlic grater.  I picked up two, one for my colleague at work. 

Something completely new for me - Clearspring Noodle Broth. 

Apple and Thyme Jelly  - I've had this savoury jelly in the cupboard for a very very long time, and still don't know what to do with it, but its pretty to look at - the colour and the way the thyme is suspended in the jelly.

Higgledy Piggledy In My Kitchen

Last month I shared some vegan eats in my kitchen, I return back to my vegetarian kitchen and share higgledy piggledy assortment of things in my kitchen.

First I share with you natures gift from my garden - last of the colourful tomatoes from the greenhouse; and flavourful they are too.

Next. I went to a Eastern European shop in my lunch hour and came out having purchased a bag full of edible groceries such as this dried Aubergine.  I am not sure what I will be doing with it, but I look forward to trying it out.  

Rain or Shine In My Kitchen

I really enjoy participating In My Kitchen posts as it connects me with other fellow bloggers around the world.  This month Celia our gracious host from Fig and Lime Cordial has some pressing family distractions, however she has shared her IMK post and encouraged us to do the same.  This month you can find other peoples IMK contributions amongst the comments.

So here goes with my Rain or Shine IMK post, even though the sun has been out and blazing on days, I have been drinking hot chocolate.  This is no ordinary Hot chocolate, these are actual chunky dark pieces from Colombia which you melt in dairy or non-dairy milk and enjoy with optional extra sweeteners such as agave syrup, honey or maple syrup.  Its utterly gorgeous. 

I have some Black Quinoa and am looking forward to making some vegan vegetable burgers with them.  I've  also acquired some Clearspring Brown Rice Miso.  I've been enjoying the umami flavours of miso and quite recently made a Miso glazed Aubergines and have been hankering  to make it again, but if you have any other vegetarian or vegan recipe suggestions please let me know. 

I dug out my cute jar of Steenbergs Saffron and Orange Blossom water and put it on the kitchen table as I have a bookmarked recipe from V is for Vegan by Kerstin Rodgers aka Ms Marmite.  The recipe is for Carrots, Peppers and Lentil Tagine . 

And in anticipation of making this unusual Tagine, I have also picked up a jar of preserved lemons and pickled long chilli peppers, as well as a packet of ready made Ras El Hanout (not shown).