Thursday 1 October 2015

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.


50 comments:

  1. That looks a pretty September - Sherry - astrological influences withstanding:-)

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    1. this week has been a definite improvement on the last one rachel! it has to be the stars:)

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  2. What a wonderfully tasty instalment!
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

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  3. LOL, I thought I was about to see a black sausage or such, but as I scrolled down I read it was a fossil! Beautiful bowls and the fingerlime powder sounds very interesting indeed. Cheers!

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    1. thanks. the bowls are so lovely. the fingerlime powder is terrific in lots of dishes. so zingy.

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  4. So much stuff I can't choose my favourite!! I love the fossil but then I love the cookbook and that bowl is darling.

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    1. thanks maureen. i do love brooke's work. she makes such lovely things. and of course i adore fossils. my fossil shelf is getting quite full!

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  5. What an amazing haul of goodies. Citrus salt would be gorgeous to smell and taste, I bet.

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    1. oh yes i love all the byron bay tridosha salts. they are so clever.

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  6. Hi Sherry, The bowls are gorgeous, it is so wonderful that they are personalised. I have some finger limes in my freezer. I may take them out and dry them and make powder. Thanks for the idea.

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    1. thanks. we love getting personalised things as gifts. the fingerlime powder is fun stuff; it has such a citrus tang.

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  7. Ooh the strawberry cheesecake looks fab and do you know I think those stars have really affected my mood lately I feel all unsettled x

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    1. i know what you mean sarah. september was really messed up for me:( this month is improving.

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  8. Ok, so you know I was most excited by the ammonite, right? It's a beauty, especially with the red pearlescence! And Brooke's bowls are stunning, really love the first one! I hope the hail didn't do too much damage. Or the dentist! :) xxx

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    1. the hail was very tiny celia. i knew you would love the fossil. i have bought some from the fellow at the Rocks market too. the dentist is yet to come. eek!

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  9. Those chocolates look sublime - smooth and pebbly. It seems you didn't but a tiffin but you bought all of those goodies.You always enjoy your time in the Tweed don't you? I'm sure you will enjoy the paralells with my own Salty Kitchen.

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    1. i adore salts of all sorts. i have many different ones in my pantry. yep we adore the Tweed region. And i have enjoyed your IMK this month.

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  10. I love your new fossil acquisition. Do you use it as a centrepiece when serving?

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    1. it is rather nice isn't it? i love the purply bit in the middle. it sits with my other fossils on the shelf:)

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  11. Sherry, your selection of salts has me swooning, and your Byron Bay cookbook photo looks so "3D" it's fascinating! (Are those paperweights in the background? They're beautiful!) Cool to learn you love fossils, too. (Gorgeous specimen.) Also LOVED your handmade bowls and ramekins!

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    1. Hi Kim
      I know. Isn't that photo amazing? I didn't even notice till hubby pointed it out. Yep paperweights! I have many. And I love fossils; I would love to get many more for my collection. Aren't Brooke's bowls lovely?

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  12. Are those strawberry cheesecake nuts?! How fantastic. I love the salt varieties too. It looks like a good month in your kitchen!

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    1. Hi Kari
      Yes my kitchen had a good month. Not sure if I did !

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  13. I'm a huge dachshund fan so I'd love the bowl your niece made - isn't she talented! You certainly did pick up a lot of wonderful goodies on your trip to Northern NSW. Love the look of those spiced salts, nuts and the cookbook xx

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    1. oh yes we always find heaps of great stuff down there:) I have to stop myself buying things. especially duck creek macadamias!

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  14. Such an interesting array of items! Love the look of the finger lime powder :D And Mercury in retrograde really freaked me out this year! :o

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    1. i know what you mean lorraine. it has been a weird year for alot of people; lots of problems with health etc. and teeth issues. everyone i know including me has had teeth probs:(

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  15. Love a look in your kitchen Sherry. The new moon at the end of September certainly represents new directions...was very chaotic time for many.

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    1. thanks Jem. yep i could do with a new direction at the moment. it has been a chaotic year i reckon:)

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  16. what a fantastic selection of purchases, i love random shopping trips like this. I'm now off to goggle 'mercury in retrograde' as i have no idea what you are on about :-)

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    1. oh that's funny:) I am not entirely sure what the mercury thing is either but it seems to cause havoc:)

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  17. I've no clue what fingerlimes are, let alone fingerlime powder. A quick Google query has me intrigued. How do you use either the fresh fruit or the powder in your kitchen?

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    1. i love fingerlimes. they are so delish. they call the fresh stuff caviar; it can go in cocktails or on salads, on top of salmon on crackers or any number of dishes to give a zing. i throw the powder in stir fries, stews, salads, anything!

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    2. Now I'm tempted to order some online - lime caviar?!

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    3. yes it tastes as good as it sounds. they are native to australia; a rainforest tree. they come in all different colours and you don't know what it will be till you cut open each little fruit. so cute.

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  18. Great goodies Sherry! The bowls are lovely, and the fossil is gorgeous. Glad October is off to a better start. :)

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    1. thanks emily! i love my fossil! and yep october is much better so far...fingers crossed.

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  19. Gorgeous bowls Sherry and love the gourmet salts which you can never have enough in the kitchen. Chilli jam is always a good buy :)

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    1. thanks! yes i love salts; my pantry is full of many kinds. and yes i love chilli jam!

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  20. The stars can't mess with the chilli and lime jam or the wonderful salt! What a wonderful start to the month, hope it continuous this well too.

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    1. hi ania
      october is being pretty damn fine so far! those stars must be leavinfg me alone now to do my thing...:)

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  21. Wow - some seriously great things in your 'IMK' post - want to swap kitchens? Check out my 'IMK' post at www.goodfoodweek.com.au

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    1. thanks shari. i did end up with some nice things last month. i will check out your post soon. x

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  22. Loving all your salts Sherry. I love finding new & interesting spices and salt blends that you don't normally see. Hope October feels better in the Universe for you :)

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    1. october is being interesting! lots happening. oh yes i love all sorts of salts.

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  23. All the salts look wonderful. The ramekins are also adorable, love them. Looks like you had a lovely September.

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    1. thanks gretchen. it has been a weird year really. i am hoping it improves soon!

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