So much for my good intentions, once again, with managing to put up regular In My Kitchen posts – still, I’m here now. This monthly sharing is hosted by my friend Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial so do head over there to check out every one else’s kitchen. In my kitchen this month are cookbooks. I lugged a whole bunch of them across the world during my recent trip and came home to a pile of them in the post, too. However, I firmly believe there is no such thing as too many cookbooks (or too much chocolate).
These three were all gifts to me along the road in my travels. The Boreal Feast is by noted Whitehorse (Yukon) author and cook, Michele Genest whose work focuses on the singular culinary experiences of the north. Give this woman a moose and sit back and watch her work her magic! A treasure of Moroccan vegetarian dishes, North Africa – The Vegetarian Table was given to me by my dear friend Isabelle when we met up in New York City. Isabelle lives in California – we met about 13 years ago on an internet recipe message board and we’ve been firm friends ever since. Panini , by Jennifer Joyce,was given to me by another valued friend Mary from Vancouver. Mary was my daughter’s foster mother when my youngest embarked on a three month student exchange in Vancouver. Mary has 12 children of her own, so knows a thing or two about feeding starving hordes.
The Gaza Kitchen is another recent cookbook purchase of mine and I am looking forward to spending some time with my nose in this one. A look at the little documented Palestinian culinary tradition, Anthony Bourdain called this “an important book on an egregiously under-appreciated, under-reported area of gastronomy”.
I adore anything maple flavoured and always come home from Canada with a tin or two of maple syrup tucked in my luggage. I found these much more travel-friendly maple condiments in Marche des Saveurs, a gourmet shop in Montreal which sells Quebec food and wine products exclusively. The other night I lightly brushed some salmon fillets with maple syrup, then sprinkled them with the Maple Pepper before popping them into the oven for 12 minutes – a little bit of Canada in the Adelaide Hills.
Did you think I’d come home without any maple syrup? Of course not. I bought this direct from the producers, in a little sugar shack amid a maple forest on the île d’Orléans in Quebec – but more about that another time.
I try to pack light for these trips as I know I’m going to be bringing more than I ought back home with me. These jars of cranberry jelly and homemade cranberry chutney were generous gifts from new friends in the Yukon and there was no way I was going to leave them behind.
I can look out my windows and see cows any old time I like, but this delightful ceramic lady is right in my kitchen with me. I bought her from a ceramics workshop on Granville Island in Vancouver – a spot that is not only a food heaven, but an artists enclave as well.
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It is very hard t6o leave books behind isn’t it , but they are so heavy to travel with. I am addicted to maple syrup and look forward to visiting Canada one day to get some of thoswe goodies you have.
I am just like you , I always bring back spices , jams, mustard , you name it when I’m traveling. When I go to see my mother in Germany I take just as much with me, like Ziplock bags and almonds from California .
Your travel finds sound great Amanda. Maple syrup especially and love your cow!
Lucky you, back from Vancouver with goodies! I used to think I couldn’t have too many cookbooks, until one day I decided I could. So most of them have gone and I’ve never missed them. I guess that partly comes from living in a place where exotic ingredients are hard to come by. Today, even bananas were hard to come by in Woolworths!! Thank you for playing with us!
Lovely big jar of maple syrup- delicious. I am really interested in the cookbook ‘The Gaza Kitchen’ as the focus of Gaza is usually about tragic events there, rather than Palestinian cooking. The jam and chutney look pretty special too.
Amanda, I do the same thing when I travel! Bring back cookbooks, food! I love Quebec and Montreal– great places for people who love to explore flavors. I am really intrigued by those flavored peppers–I recently found a bourbon smoked paper at my local spice shop, and it is great on pork chops and steaks. Now, I am going to search for maple pepper! Thank you!
Susan
I think I might be in love with your ceramic cow, how gorgeous she is! And that Gaza cookbook sounds intriguing. We love peeking into your kitchen whenever you have time Amanda, but you’re so busy – I’m always grateful that you find time to join in when you can! xxx
Oh Amanda, nice haul! Really nice! I try not to buy things when we travel, but despite my good intentions, both Peter and I are always on the lookout for delicious or quirky things… I ADORE that ceramic cow! Heck, I love everything you have shown here, but I have a real soft spot for the cow. xo
I’ve not been to Canada in years but my brother and his wife went to Montreal last fall and brought back some of that same maple syrup and maple cookies. Best cookies I’ve had in a good decade… at least prepackaged cookies. Glad you enjoyed your time here in North America! Nice to *meet* another Aussie blogger 🙂
How lovely to have a kitchen full of treasures from your overseas adventures. I love your ceramic cow – it’s very cute. And having all those new cookbooks will keep you busy. It’s true I don’t know anything about Pakistani cuisine. I love the look of your cranberry chutney and jelly – so perfect with Christmas on the horizon xx
I have cow envy, she has such a beautiful face. I have read a lot about the Gaza kitchen cookbook, thanks for the reminder, and the peek at your foodie souveniers
So many goodies! I adore all those maple products and the cookbooks will be full of delicious inspiration indeed xox
It’s awhile since I added to my insatiable appetite & added to my cookbook library, that one on North Africa in your top image looks good. From someone who had to made a special trip to the supermarket this morning for more maple syrup….. it’s awhile since I’ve topped up my stash of that too.
I love unpacking edible souvenirs – what a cracking jar of maple syrup. That Gaza book has been on my wish list for ages – the Palestinians are such a wonderful and resilient nationality.
That’s the best thing about going away, coming home with all the spoils! Thanks for sharing! Liz x
What great goodies from your trip! I can’t live without maple syrup either, I use it in so many things.
What a lovely collection of goodies! I also love maple products and always sigh over recipes using all the wonderful maple flavoured food items you can get in North America as they’re so expensive here…though of course our own lovely produce is some compensation 🙂
G’day! Love homemade jams and chutneys Amanda and love your ceramic lady as part of this month’s kitchen view also!
Cheers! Joanne
I have ceramic cow envy … she sure is a beauty. Go the cookbooks, there are too many to plough through in my kitchen at the moment, too. I think we need a cookbook public holiday, so we can catch up on our reading! Happy days, Amanda x
I love cookbooks too! Can’t help myself, my collection keeps growing, especially when I’m around op-shops (thrift) Thank you for a peek inside your kitchen, see you next month
Hi Amanda, So envious you have a copy of The Boreal Feast. I heard about Michele Genest a couple of years ago and would love to meet her (and travel to the Yukon) one day. What a lovely load of goodies you brought back with you.