I am linking this in to Celia's monthly In My Kitchen event at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
February 2015. It sounds both normal and a little science fiction-y. I'm starting to understand how people get to age 60 / 70/ 80/ 90 and still feel just as they did at age 20.
This month, my kitchen has love heart crumpets from Tesco. Oh, I know they are a marketing ploy and of course they cost more than the standard variety. But, Tesco also had Christmas tree crumpets in the lead up to Christmas and I exercised great restraint in not buying them until Christmas week. Sadly, come Christmas week, they were sold out. Sometimes restraint backfires, and so I didn't exercise any when I spotted these. They were into our trolley within seconds and I'm having great fun eating them.
In my kitchen there are dark chocolate chips from Sainsbury's. They are dairy free, an exciting discovery given Australian chocolate chips always contained milk (unless you bought the soy-based, vegan friendly variety that cost more). It's nice to know there's a vegan option available for baking.
In my freezer, there are packets of frozen corn and edamame beans. I buy frozen edamame beans quite often, but rarely buy other frozen vegetables. However, when a corn craving struck mid-winter, frozen seemed a sensible way to go.
(Incidentally, did anyone else grow up with frozen corn as a summertime snack? My mother used to give us some when she was making dinner.)
In my kitchen I failed at making baked, barbecue-flavoured potato crisps (chips). I managed to burn half while the rest didn't properly crisp up. I may try again, but probably not for a little while!
In my kitchen, my feet are often clad in red boot-like slipper socks. They have been a great discovery. Our central heating is generally effective, but the kitchen tiles are still cold!
In my kitchen there are too many apples. They are delicious, but I think I may need to put some towards baking.
In my kitchen, there have also been repeat batches of the vegan French toast I posted last week. I discovered that tahini plus maple syrup makes for a gorgeous topping. I've also been adding apple slices to the pan whilst the bread is cooking. The whole thing is just so delicious I want to eat it constantly!
Last but not least, and in a deviation out of my kitchen, my giveaway of Ricki Heller's new book, Living Candida-Free, closed yesterday. The randomly selected winner is Lisa of I'll Be There With A Fork! Congratulations Lisa - I will get in touch.
What is happening in your kitchen this month?
I'd say that is brilliant marketing from Tesco! They are totally cute and must taste *delicious*. :D
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations to Lisa! I hope she likes the book!!
I am sure she will! Thanks Ricki :)
DeleteHi there! How cute are those crumpets! And I love your slippers... sound like you need them this winter. Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Lizzy :-)
DeleteHi Kari, I looooove your socks - they are in my favourite colours! I have been looking at the edamame beans recently and wondered how good these are? I have been buying fresh from Tesco but it would be good to have a supply in the freezer for lunchtime salad. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI find the frozen ones excellent for just that reason - to have on hand when needed. I think I prefer the frozen ones in pods as the beans inside somehow taste fresher, and I find them fun to eat out of the pods. But, even this shelled type are fine and they last for a while so you can complement frozen and fresh if you have access to both :-)
DeleteGlad you like the socks!
I'm loving your slipper socks and the heart shaped waffles in your kitchen this month. It looks very snuggly and cosy - stark contrast to the horrible heat and minimal clothing here at the moment!!
ReplyDeleteApples just scream out for pie or crumble... or maybe caramelised to add to the top of french toast? I love the sound of tahini and maple syrup - I'm going to try that atop my morning porridge soon!
I have been doing impromptu caramelised apples with the French toast, but I like the idea of doing them properly. And also pie and crumble! Decisions!
DeleteI wouldn't be able to resist those crumpets either :) And I love your slippers they would make me smile just wearing them. Mum used to give us frozen peas to snack on if she was cooking them for dinner :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad it's not just me who grew up with the pre-dinner frozen vegetables!! We got peas as well as corn, but corn were the preferred option :-)
DeleteI would not be able to resist the crumpets either. I decorate for Valentine's Day as soon as Christmas decorations come down! The slipper socks look great, kitchen tiles never seem warm enough in the winter!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the tiles even get so cold, when the rest of the house is relatively warm!
DeleteLoving the socks and the crumpets! As for the tahini-maple syrup, watch what happens when you add some cacao powder to the mix! (you get more addicted)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh...I can just imagine. Dangerous combination!
DeleteLove your slipper socks. I used to have a pair when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI see apple pie in your near future.
Apple pie in my slipper socks would be the definition of cozy :-)
DeleteI think all dark chocolate chips here are vegan as well! And those slipper socks look SO cozy. Pretty sure I need a pair!
ReplyDeleteI think you do! And that's great about your dark chocolate chips - Australia is clearly very behind ;)
DeleteI love those socks and they certainly would spare you the shock of freezing-cold tiles. I love the sound of the Christmas tree crumpets. What a shame they were all sold out but how lucky to have the Valentine's hearts. I think that's a very clever marketing idea so good on them. I bet sales are soaring xx
ReplyDeleteI imagine so! I do think some fun with food can go a long way for making standard products more enjoyable :)
DeleteSuch a cute idea to have us 'look' into your kitchen. I love your bowl of apples!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pamela!
DeleteI want the heart shapedcrumpets and a pair of cute red and white slipper socks just like yours.
ReplyDeleteShaping food is such a simple thing, but it can make all the difference! Maybe Australian retailers will catch on at some point :)
DeleteNope have never snacked on frozen corn as a child or adult (though I have had my fair share of frozen peas). Love the crumpets - I would fall for them too. And shame on tesco having tree shaped crumpets earlier in the festive season and not restocking close to christmas! We love slipper socks - they are great to take on holidays in winter when you don't have room for a pair of slippers. Even sylvia has a pair (we have received quite a few as presents). Maybe some apple and choc chip baking ahoy?
ReplyDeleteYou may have to try frozen corn now - if you grew up with frozen peas, it will seem quite the treat! I did think Tesco was rather mean for not having the tree crumpets in stock in the very week it mattered, but I'm learning about their ways now. More fool those who wait until the 13th February to buy their heart shaped crumpets!
DeleteThe idea of French toast with tahini, maple syrup and apples sounds divine! Nice to have something warm on your feet. Those winters can get terribly cold. cheers Fiona xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona!
Deletei have always loved frozen peas, not so much corn. the heart shaped crumpets are rather cute. i am sure they tasted better than normal ones.:) love the slipper/socks.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad others enjoy frozen vegetables - my siblings and I liked peas too :)
DeleteI love your slipper socks! And I'd have found heart shaped crumpets irresistible as well. Now you've got me thinking about making them.. :) We buy frozen corn, peas and edamame - wish they sold it shelled here as well! x
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love it if you made some heart shaped crumpets!
DeleteSlipper socks! Such a 70's/80's thing I grew up with - I have been searching high & low for some for me & my husband for years! They're soooo cool, love them! They'll keep you warm for sure. We always have Australian frozen peas and broad beans in the freezer - they're the only frozen veggies we have. My nephews love frozen peas and corn straight from the freezer! Your love heart crumpets are amazing too. Thank you for sharing all the goodies in your kitchen this month, see you next IMK
ReplyDeleteI had no idea my feet were in the 70s/80s :D They're readily available here in London!
DeleteKari, warm feet make for happier cooking -- cute! Thanks for your tahini & maple syrup combo idea... I came home with a larger than usual container of tahini to create with recently and was running out of hummus recipes. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely happier when warm, that's for sure :-) I'm glad to give you some ideas for the tahini too!
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