In My Kitchen is a monthly round-up of kitchen joy from food bloggers all around the world!
Here’s just a few of the things that are making me smile In My Kitchen this month. For a round-up of loads of other kitchen joy from bloggers all around the world please head to my friend Maureen at The Orgasmic Chef for the full list.
One of the things that is really making me smile in my kitchen is my son, who is home this week after six months in the Netherlands. He bought me one or two little Dutch treats, including this delightful tea towel and these delicious stroopwafels – sticky, but not too sweet caramel syrup wafers which are a national snack in the Netherlands.
I’ve been addicted to After Eight after-dinner mint thins for years – there, I’ve said it. It has been a source of great pain to me that these delicious chocolatey treats are no longer available in Australia, but the above-mentioned son found me some on his way home. I have hidden them and will not be sharing. *bad mother*
These two lovely new cookbooks were under the Christmas tree for me, thanks to my lovely family! I enjoy Nigel Slater’s way of cooking and writing very much and (now) have all of his books. I don’t always buy Nigella’s books, but did have this one on my list, so am feeling quite spoiled. Both books are already well thumbed and I’ve successfully used recipes from each too. The latter is something of a miracle as I’ve been flat out since Christmas with quite a few writing commissions – plus the weather has been ridiculously hot, meaning the inclination to cook has been somewhat diminished.
This copy of “Falafel for Breakfast” appeared in my mailbox just before Christmas too, much to my joy. Middle Eastern cuisine is one of my favourites and this selection of recipes from Israeli-born chef Michael Rantissi and his partner Kristy Frawley are just some of the great dishes they serve at their popular Sydney “Kepos Street Kitchen”. Think Yemenite Pan Roti, Chocolate Halva Brownies, Date Daiquiris – are you getting my drift? There is a simple recipe for spiced eggs that is just to die for and the recipes for basic condiments in the back of the book make it well worth the purchase price alone. Published by Murdoch Books it retails for $49.99. (My thanks to the publishers who sent me a review copy.)
Also in my kitchen is this absolutely beautiful Oliva carving set which was sent to me as a Christmas gift from knife-masters Messermeister. Both of these pieces are perfectly balanced and a joy to hold in the hand – the olive wood handles are silky smooth. The plan was for the carving set to take pride of place for the carving of the turkey at Christmas lunch, but none of that happened – because, bushfire. Remember? However, it really is one of the most handsome things in my kitchen at the moment.
I was just thinking when I saw the picture of Chocolate mint slices that I was having a memory glitch and i laughed when you said you are addicted to them……so I have seen them on here before. I love those caramel waffles from the Nederlands . So delicious. Yes the handles on those knifes are beauties aren’t they?
I have that carving fork and knife set too. They’re fantastic! A nice look into your kitchen Amanda 🙂
OOOOOooooh! I LOVE Nigel Slater… must look for that one at the library. xx
Those look like very interesting books. Have you seen the British-Israeli chef Ottolenghi’s books? They were very popular in the UK & US, I don’t know if they reached the antipodes!
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
What a thoughtful son to bring the mints home for you!
Mint slice…. all the feels for that taste. One of the hotels I worked at way back had these, my brother and I used to borrow (forever) boxes of them. Soooo good! 🙂 Loving that tea towel too.
Yotam Ottolenghi is very popular here, too, Mae. He’s visited Australia a few times too.
I want falafel for breakfast and the book too. 🙂 Nigel Slater’s book is a winner. I haven’t seen Nigella’s book yet. yet.
What a wonderful son to bring home your favorite mints! Such a lovely collection of cookbooks, especially liking the Middle Eastern one. I could certainly eat falafel for breakfast!
It’s very difficult to buy after dinner mints these days and I remember the days when you didn’t dare turn up to anyone’s dinner party without a box under your arm. They were always served at the end of every meal. I’m pleased to hear your son has returned safely from six months away. So far my son is okay. Of course his luggage went to Chile while he went to Brazil but apart from that he seems to be having a great time xx
Your teatowels are charming, almost too cute cute to use but certainly terrific photo props. (I hate to put the first stain on a new tea towel!) I’ve never skimmed a Nigel Slater cookbook, so while I await a reserve copy from the library I’m enjoying his blog for the text, recipes and photos. Thanks for highlighting this volume.
you can’t get after eights any more in Oz? oh my that is a shock to my system. i love that tea towel. there has been a bit of a theme lately with tea towels so i say again – i have heaps of them in my cupboard. i adore nigel slater and nigella. i have most of nigella’s books and just one or 2 of his. such fun writing and recipes in them. that carving set looks so pretty.
How great is Nigel Slater – I love his writing too! I’ve just got his Notes from the Kitchen Larder – I now want all his Kitchen Diaries 🙂 Oh and Messermeister knives are my favourite, even though I don’t own any yet but hope to get one, one day. Lovely seeing you for #IMK x
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