I am linking this in to Celia's monthly In My Kitchen event at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial - which as of January, will have a new host in the lovely Maureen of the Orgasmic Chef!
 |
| Pineapple chocolate chip loaf |
In my kitchen, there have been a few recipes that I've liked, but which haven't quite been good enough to share. A pineapple chocolate chip loaf, above and below, was one example. I made it without any additional sweetener (beyond the pineapple and chocolate chips) and while I loved it, I can see it wouldn't be to everyone's tastes. It wasn't to Mr Bite's, for example (poor Mr Bite - I'm not painting a good picture of his eating options this week).
I also tried a mole sauce (tomato, chilli, chocolate) for the first time. It was alright, but not great. I think that probably needed some sweetness too.
 |
| Chocolate mole sauce |
Something I didn't like were the butternut squash noodles I bought from Tesco. Tesco have brought in a whole range of spiralized vegetables, and while I find it hard to justify buying spiralized carrot or zucchini (courgette), I gave in to butternut squash. I shouldn't have; I don't think it's a vegetable that works well in spirazlied form! It was hard to flavour it sufficiently and I didn't like the texture.
 |
| Butternut squash noodles with corn, edamame beans, and various herbs |
More positive are my ongoing love affairs with oat cakes, Alpro coconut-soya and almond-soya yoghurts, and frozen berries. I'm still loving Choc Shot chocolate sauce too (including on yoghurt and berries...).
Not food-related but visible from my kitchen are new floors. When we bought the house, I wanted to swap the old lino covering in the living room and the red carpet across quite a few rooms. This month we finally did it. The living room now has higher quality wood-look lino boards, and the carpet is a more neutral cream. It was a messy process, but I love the end result.
 |
| Before and after (top and bottom) |
Not yet featuring in my kitchen are Christmas-themed goods - but I sense they may appear any day now. I'm looking forward to it!
What is happening in your kitchen this month?
Yes and yes to pineapple chocolate chip loaf!!! Love your new floors. It's amazing what a difference new flooring can make to a room.
ReplyDeletePoor Mr Bite. I'm sure Mr Fork feels for him. Mr Fork often puts up with my cooking ideas too, some of which don't work out very well but he will always try them for me. I personally love the sound of the pineapple chocolate loaf.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet gotten into the spiral vegetable scene. Mainly because I don't own a spiraliser and can't be bothered to cut them myself. I am still curious about spaghetti squash though, which I believe would be similar (but different) :)
Your floors look fabulous! It does make a big change to the feel of the rooms.
It sounds like you and I could bond over the pineapple chocolate chip loaf, while Mr Bite and Mr Fork bond over the challenges of eating our baking :D
DeleteSpaghetti squash is hard to get in the UK too but I have had it once in the US and it is great! Very different to the spiralized butternut squash.
I like the sound of your chocolate and pineapple loaf. The new floors must have been a chore to install but they look like they're worth the process. I'm up to my neck in Christmas-themed goods! xx
ReplyDeleteYou are doing very well with Christmas preparations!
DeleteI also think the pineapple loaf sounds good.
ReplyDeleteClearly I know better than Mr Bite :D
DeleteI LOVE mole. I have never liked it when I have had it in the UK, but every time I had it in Mexico I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI guess I need to head to Mexico then ;)
DeleteThe pineapple chocolate loaf sounds like it would be delicious. I have not seen spiralized butternut squash in the stores here in the States. I keep saying I want to get a spiralizer but haven't yet. Until then I just use the mandoline to cut my zucchini into thin strips or use spaghetti squash. I haven't had a chance to start with Christmas either. The tree is up and then I got sick so it's going to take a little longer. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteA mandoline probably does just as well :-)
DeleteI hope you're feeling better now and happy holidays to you too!
Loving the new floors. We looked at wood as part of our renovation but it was so expensive that we had decided upon the vinyl wood. The builder then told me I could actually have tiles which is what I wanted in the first place so that's what we went for. But hasn't vinyl come a long way? I bet it's cold outside Kari. All the best over Christmas. Fiona x
ReplyDeleteVinyl is definitely not the same as it was in the 70s (thank goodness!). Happy Christmas to you too Fiona :-)
DeleteI like the look and sound of your pineapple chocolate loaf but I've never really "got" mole! Your new floors look great and good luck with the Christmas themed baking! I hope you have a great Christmas
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's not just me who isn't smitten with mole!
DeleteOooh pineapple chocolate chip? That sounds like a lovely combo that I have not yet tried. And I love mole sauce - give it another try. Maybe try a different recipe?
ReplyDeleteLove your new floors! They look great =)
A different recipe is a good idea :-) And thank you!
Delete