Wow – here I am with a January “In My Kitchen” post (hosted every month by Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial), having managed to get one up in December as well. That must be some sort of a record for me – here goes! This Honey Lady raw honey flavoured with turmeric is one of my favourites from a gorgeous range of locally produced raw honeys. While I get a little sceptical about all the claims around some so-called ‘super foods’, there is a great deal of empirical evidence to back up the growing reputation of turmeric as one of the more effective nutritional supplements. It has been shown to have useful anti-inflammatory properties and to be helpful in warding off some cognitive problems such as memory loss – both things which I’d like to avoid. While I like to use turmeric in my cooking, I don’t put it in everything so I keep this jar of turmeric-infused honey next to my teapot and have a spoonful of it every morning. Oh – and it’s very nice drizzled over some of my chicken dishes too.
It’s now four and a half years since I first wrote about a new chocolatier here in Adelaide called Steven ter Horst. Well much has changed for him (and this blog) since then and Steven and his business partner Chantelle have gone from making his product in their front room to beautifully designed premises in a stylish boutique in the cool end of Rundle St . Their brand is now held in very high esteem for both the truly splendid chocolates and pastries they produce and also for their extra-wonderful salted caramel, which is sold by the jar. I’m told there are all sorts of deliciously exciting things that an inventive cook can do with this caramel and I’m sure that’s true. I wouldn’t know – I wait until no-one is around and simply eat it straight from the jar with a spoon, quietly moaning with bliss.
In my kitchen I have this Italian phrase calendar which suggests one Italian word per day and a phrase in which to use it. This was a gift to me from my dear husband in preparation for another trip back to Italy later this year. We regularly threaten to take Italian conversation classes, but life keeps getting in the way so maybe this will be enough to tide us over in the event we fail to make the classes again.
In my kitchen I also have some gorgeous new scented candles made by a friend in Melbourne. She sells a beautifully presented range of hand made soy wax candles that burn for many hours and which, unlike many much more expensive ones I’ve bought, actually do diffuse a delicious scent. I have been burning mine daily since I got them on Christmas eve and they are still going strong. They don’t have a website, but you can check them out on their Facebook page here.
I also have in my kitchen a set of four of these absolutely stunning red Waterford crystal wine glasses, which give my evening drink in front of the television quite a sense of occasion. I would have liked to have enough of them to use them on the Christmas table – I think they would have been perfect for that. But, given that we were 14 for lunch, it seemed just a little too extravagant. Maybe next year.
If you are interested in having a snoop through loads of inspiring kitchens, do pop over to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial to catch up with the rest of the gang.
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Jennifer from Milk and Honey
Must keep my eye out for Honey Lady. I haven’t seen it here yet. I’m totally with you on the secret eating of salted caramel out of a jar – cutting out the middle man and all of that.
Lizzy (Good Things)
Hi Amanda… love, love, love your red crystal glasses, they are spectacular… and great idea about Turmeric… that Italian language CD has caught my attention too! Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.
Aussie Girl
My reading about tumeric and brain health has led me to believe that it needs to be heated in oil to release the curcumin that is the active anti-oxidant. I note my Indian friends seem to do this naturally.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
The honey looks fantastic. I’ve been playing around with fresh turmeric and cooking it with rice. It’s delicious! And yes I’d like to avoid memory loss too if I can help it!
InTolerant Chef
Oh that honey looks great! I have turmeric in one of my supplements twice a day for inflammation, but I think this would be much yummier indeed 🙂 So many other great goodies- salted caramel, wow! Xox
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I bought some lovely raw honey from the market in Adelaide last year and it’s nearly gone. I should check out the Honey Lady. Turmeric is really good for us.
Tania @My Kitchen stories
Very exotic raw honey with turmeric. quite exciting. I can’t wait to hear if your Italian phrase book works…..I listen to Italian every day and I think I am getting worst than I was before.
sherry from sherryspickings
what gorgeous things in your kitchen amanda. those glasses are to die for. such a beautiful colour. and the honey sounds amazing as do the candles and caramel spread. thanks for sharing.
Anna @ shenANNAgans
Salted caramel… Alllll the YES! I have this weird obsession for it, last month I actually drove an hour outta town for a salted caramel thick shake. Totes worth it! 🙂 What a neat way to learn Italian, and want the Waterford crystal wine glasses, they are so pretty. Amanda, your kitchen sure does have some amazingness happening this month. 🙂
Hotly Spiced
I love your red wine glasses and yes, they would look amazing on a Christmas table with their colour – maybe next year! Good luck with learning Italian. I would love a jar of that salted caramel xx
Selma | Selma's Table
There are some wonderful things in your kitchen – I do rather love the sound of that scented candle and those red wine glasses are just stunning. That honey simply intrigues me. I take turmeric supplements but this would be so much nicer! Thanks for the little peek into your kitchen!
celia
Those glasses are stunning! I love the idea of honey with turmeric – surely everything about that has to be good for you. I think I’d like the taste too! I’m so glad to hear Steven’s chocolate empire has been a huge success – I still remember when you wrote about him all those years ago! 🙂
Miss Food Fairy
Happy 2015 Amanda I just love everything in your kitchen this month! I need to try and find some of that turmeric honey, those red Waterford glasses (my favourite colour) and that salted caramel – they all just look & sound perfect! Look forward to the goodies in your kitchen next month.
Gretchen
The honey sounds wonderful. Those red wine glasses would indeed be the shining star of a Christmas table. I’m with you on eating the salted caramel with nobody around, I have to do that with a few items in our house as well ,
Francesca
The red Waterford glasses are so gorgeous. Good luck with your little Italian phrase calender. A good way to learn Italian is to take classes in Italy- every day, from 8 AM to 1 PM, leaving plenty of time to eat, and tour and cook. The ones in Siena are great.
Mel @ The cook's notebook
I need to get back into my daily habit of eating turmeric. That honey looks lovely! Love the Italian CD too. I also want to learn another language this year, just not sure which one yet.
Sally - My Custard Pie
Far too long since I visited your kitchen and so glad I did. Agree with you about scepticism as to superfoods but the claims of tumeric seem to be valid (and those of raw honey). Love the Italian phrases gift. I started to teach myself Italian with the Michel Thomas course (which was brilliant). The problem is with language is you use it or lose it – this seems just the thing to work bella lingua muscle 🙂
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons
What a wonderful way to increase the use of turmeric. And, the red wine glasses are fabulous!
Happy New Year!
irene
hi amanda
the red waterfords are at myer reduced fr 199 to 49.95 box of four. i am picking up two boxes this weekend. thought you might like the heads up.
SeattleDee
The turmeric honey sounds temptingly healthy, but I’d be more likely to dip a spoon into the salted caramel. Oh my, I seriously covet your red Waterford wine glasses – they are stunning! Happy New Year.
Maree
I love the idea of having jars with spoons ready at hand for when you need a taste sensation. Sounds much more enticing than a dob of peanut butter. Ahhh, waterford glasses. i wish!