In My Kitchen April 2017

Well, hubby and I are just back from our week away in Sydney and Canberra.  We have eaten all the good stuff, and been total culture vultures at several Art Galleries and Museums.  Oh, and caught up with family and friends, including Liz from Bizzy Lizzy blog!  Hi Liz:=)  And Michele from Fine Eating - hi Michele.

So I have a few things to show you in my kitchen:

a box of purple garlic

I read on Celia's blog recently (Fig Jam & Lime Cordial) that she had bought local Australian garlic, which she freezes for her annual supply.  I have done this for some years too; usually from Patrice Newell's Elmswood Farm.  I divvy it up into cloves with skin on, and shove into plastic bags and into the freezer.  It lasts for a year!   I was a bit worried I may not have enough so I decided to order another 500g. from Westmead Park Natural Farm.  

divvied up and ready for freezing

These gorgeous purple cloves are now sitting in my freezer for the coming months.  After having to buy some Mexican garlic last year in desperation (which was rotten and instantly thrown in the bin), I do not want to run out again.

fresh apples from the farm

Every autumn, a Stanthorpe farmer drives down to the big smoke and goes around the 'burbs hawking his fresh fruit.  I feel compelled to buy a box; gotta keep the locals thriving.  These are lovely and crisp.  I have given heaps away to friends but still have lots left in my fridge for eating, juicing and tea cake making.

baking choc oat biscuits on a rainy day 

A few days before the cyclone up north, we had a really rainy day in Brisbane.  Perfect for biscuit making.  These are easy and delicious.  And speaking of the cyclone, how odd it was to be away from home this past week, and to feel very removed from it all.   Just to let you know, there is now a fund set up by the Lismore City Council to help those in need after the floods (so you know it's legit. unlike some of the fraudulent ones that have popped up).

yes another wooden spoon - made from old callistemon wood 

I can hear Tiffin Fiona chuckling all the way from Texas!  Yes I had to buy another spoon.  Mr P. and I trotted along to the Old Bus Depot Markets in Canberra, and found a charming fella who makes implements from reclaimed wood.  How could I resist such frugality and resourcefulness?

John Olsen squid plate

We went along to the Art Gallery in Sydney (in the pouring rain mind you), and visited the John Olsen exhibition.  Regular readers may remember I bought a book recently which has recipes and artwork by Mr. Olsen (who loves to cook apparently).  It was a very interesting showing of his work over the last 5 or 6 decades of his career.  I admit I don't like a fair bit of it, (I don't understand it I guess) but there was heaps to admire and enjoy.  And he is still going strong at 89!


Well, that's about it for this month, other than to let you know I am taking over the mantle of In My Kitchen as of May.  So please hop along then to visit and contribute to the global peek into fascinating kitchens.  But for this month, check out Liz's blog for her last hosting posting of IMK :=)