Lately, in the kitchen...
...I've been brewing leaf tea every morning, and including a few sprigs of mint (reminds me of my best friend)
...Summer fruits are arranged in bowls or ceramic punnets on the breakfast bar, where they stay in sight and I remember snack on them throughout the day (I'm terrible at eating fruit)
...We're aiming to try a different 15 Minute Jamie recipe each week to move beyond the rather tired meals that have been on rotation
...I've been converted to knitted wash cloths for a while now (I bought mine from here)
...Used lemon halves are tossed in the sink with the washing up to add a little natural disinfectant to the dish water
...I've taken to hiding vegetables (sigh)...this is a delicious little banana loaf full of goodness which freezes well - and these healthy muffins are always a hit with the little one (I also add a heap of frozen spinach to the mix)
...Batches of biscotti were made for thank you presents - and I found some sweet japanese glass jars in the goldmine that is Top Dollar (gift tags were inspired by this crafty lady)
...I've stocked up on ingredients for the Great Christmas Bake-off (gingerbread men, pinolates, and dark chocolate rum balls)
What's been happening in your kitchen?
LOVE this post Claire as it gives us a snippet into your lovely home :) Is that the Anthropologie punnet I've had on my wishlist for ages? It's gorgeous. And the doily under your dish of chilli is so lovely. Will be keeping my used lemons thanks to you now and I have been gifted a few crocheted wash cloths which I've yet to use so will definitely have to try them myself. We have a few baking sessions coming up as part of our Advent activities... shortbread, gingerbread men etc. (we've already made some chocolate fudge). I'm taping Jamie's show at the moment actually and have a few of his recipes I'm eager to try...love that they're quick to prepare and relatively healthy. We are definitely 'over' the same old meals we always seem to make :) Enjoy your evening Claire x
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it - I love reading these kinds of posts in other blogs so thought I'd give it a go! Yes, it is the Anthro punnet - a lovely gift from my parents, brought home from their US trip...but I did spy some very similar looking ones on Lark (http://www.larkmade.com.au/christmas/gifts-for-bakers/ceramic-berry-punnet-aqua.html)...The Jamie meals are just the thing to get you out of the dinner rut! x
Deleteis the little blue punnet from anthropologie? i almost bought it online yesterday :) lovely post x
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the one - but see my note to Amanda above - there's a local alternative! x
Deletewoah your kitchen is LOVELY. beautiful crockery! love these little glimpses and thank you for the lemon idea, will definitely be doing that. x
ReplyDeleteThanks G. I went through a phase in my 20s of being obsessed with kitchen homewares, so I've collected (thrifted, inherited or saved up pennies for) a lovely little loot over the years. The most precious ones of course come from the family (mostly from my Granny who loved a well-dressed table)...my actual kitchen though is a little daggy - that funny 90s chunky wooden/granite tabletop look....one day we'd love to renovate and have something a little more sympathetic to the style and age of the house (70s - woo hoo!) x
DeleteMy grandma knits me wash clothes like crazy but, I'm glad because they're great to use!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I don't think I can turn back now x
DeleteGoodness, I love these photos Claire! (especially that ceramic punnet - how gorgeous!)
ReplyDeleteI've asked my Secret Santa for Jamie's 15 minutes cookbook as well - can't wait to try his meals! Was very inspired just from watching an episode of his show.
Ronnie xo
Oh you'll be one very happy lady if you get it - it's pretty awesome! We've made a few things now, but I love how you pick up subtle little changes to standard meals which can make all the difference - there's a greek salad that is super duper (I think it's the addition of thinly sliced red onion in lemon juice and toasted almonds that gives it a lovely fresh zing). Nothing too crazy or out of the ordinary - but clever and simple x
DeleteWhat sunny and lovely pictures you've shared. I've been using knitted dishcloths for a while now and they are THE best. Super easy to knit too. Loving the idea of the lemon in the washing up water. The smell may very well take the drudgery away a whisker ;) Wishing you lovely kitchen-y days :) x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are easy peasy to knit. I'll have to collect some knitting supplies and try them out soon...Hope you've had some sunny kitchen-y days too x
DeleteSo much goodness here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the dish clothes. They look almost too lovely to use. I might give them a go. I've just ordered some cheekywipes. I could never get my girls to eat from a spoon...so there is lots and lots of mess here. Honestly, I spend half my time on the floor cleaning up!
I like Jamies coconut rice. I saw that on his 15 minute cooking show and we've had it a few times with fish.
At the moment, we are having lots of crayfish (thank you Cam!) and mango dishes. There's an awesome mango avacado and macadamia nut salad that I love on taste.com. And I really like Bill Grangers recipes. Yesterday we made his simple mango lassi (2 squeezed oranges, 1 cup natural yoghurt and 1 mango whizzed up). Skye, Joy and I devoured them.
I hope you're having a beautiful week Claire.
xx
eep. Sorry for the massive comment!
DeleteOh Nicole - I loved reading your comment - never apologise! I'm going to have to give that coconut rice a go - I had it at a friend's place recently actually and it was super delicious. Your mango kitchen times sound too good! Love the idea for the mango lassi. I order one every time we go out for Indian x
DeleteIt all looks so lovely and neat and organised! I love the jars and gift tags, so cute.
ReplyDeleteRidiculously easy, Anna - you'd whip them up in a second. A bunch make a nice gift for a sweet friend too x
DeleteOh, I hear ya about the tired meals on rotation! I was only saying to Mark last night that I'm in a bit of a cooking rut - I desperately need some new ideas! The 15 minute meals book is on my Christmas list, so hopefully someone buys it for me! Thanks for the link for the knitted wash cloths - mine are looking a bit sad and need replacing. And for the lemon in the sink tip, I will be using that for sure. And for the banana loaf recipe (we too have a veggie dodger!). So much goodness in this post Claire, thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Jess. That lemon in the sink tip comes from my Maltese Aunty who is one of those clever ladies who is resourceful and hates waste (I should have mentioned that earlier). Hope you find a fat Jamie cookbook under the tree next week x
DeleteAnother one stuck in the meal rotation rut! We were doing really well with meal planning a few months back and then it all fell to *&it! We've been loving the banana bread here too but hiding veggies in it is a revelation!
ReplyDeleteP.S Loving the colours in that first pic of the cherries and grapes :)
xx
Oh god (or Jamie) help us get out of the rut!!! We should start a blog trail of new and easy recipes for meal planning for inspiration....x
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