In My Kitchen October 2015

I usually love September, but this one was a bit here and there. Apparently it was all because of the stars.  There was a lunar eclipse, Mercury in retrograde (when isn't it?), a Supermoon and some other celestial stuff:=)  I think that's all over now, so I can relax at last.  Oh, except for the hail storm(s) we had over the last few days.  And my dental appointment next week.      

There was some good stuff too!  We went down to northern NSW a couple of times to catch up with friends; we also went to the annual Sculpture festival on Currumbin beach.  We dropped into one of my fave art galleries - Tweed River Art Gallery.  The surroundings are exquisite (was there ever more beautiful scenery?) and the exhibitions are always interesting.  Not to forget there is a great little cafe there too.      

There are heaps of really keen chefs, organic gardeners and hippies down in that region so you come across great produce and great food. And award-winning restaurants where you often see celebrities dining (if you're interested in that sort of thing).  So I usually come home with a few goodies.  This time was no exception.

fabulous salts from Byron Bay
   

fantastic flavour boosts

We have been buying these lovely salts from Tridosha for years on our very regular trips over the border.  We got these at the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow.  I almost bought a beautiful tiffin (hear that fiona@tiffinbitesized?) filled with salty goodies, but I restrained myself.  I didn't restrain myself from buying the salts, and a cookbook, and local chocolate and coffee and and and....

we just couldn't choose!

the best cordial ever:)  

another cookbook  

chilli jam bought at a roadside stall in the northern NSW hinterland  

very near to my kitchen is my collection of fossils 

This is my latest acquisition for my collection.  My sis is currently working in a place that sells fossils amongst other things so she gave me an employee discount on this gorgeous, shiny relic.  

here we have a beautiful bowl made by our dear friend Brooke 

I know this looks a bit suss but it is just dried fingerlime powder; it gives a great zing to all sorts of dishes     

yep a bit hard to see; ramekins also made by Miss Brooke for my kitchen    

and a bowl made for our niece

The niece is a huge Heston fan so on this bowl we have a Heston quote and a depiction of his spectacles on the bottom.  Oh, and she is a huge dachshund fan (and owner) so there had to be dachshunds!  The other bowl was for the nephew; it was their mutual birthdays (being twins) so we arranged to have Miss Brooke make them some personalised bowls.  Mr P. had the ramekins made for me so I have matching lovelies in which to put Nigella's chocolate pots.  


Join in with Celia from Fig Jam & Lime Cordial in the monthly roundup of global kitchens.  You won't be sorry!  All manner of international foods and delicious items will come into your ken.