Sunday, March 6, 2016

In my kitchen - March 2016

I am linking this in to the monthly In My Kitchen event, hosted by Maureen of The Orgasmic Chef.

With the start of March, the count down is on to the start of Spring. The equinox (20th March) is just 14 days away and whilst the weather isn't noticeably warmer yet, the days are definitely longer. I can now get up in light (just) and make it a good way home in light too. After months of dark commutes to and from work, it's nice to see the countryside from the train again.

With the weather changing outside my kitchen, I have been fortunate to have spring-like flowers within it. Last month I got flowers from Mr Bite (Valentine's Day) and a student I supervised in Australia who has now completed her doctorate. They've brightened up the house beautifully.


My kitchen has also featured lots of avocado. I know - long-time readers might be doing a double-take. I have long insisted I don't like avocado unless it's turned into a dessert with chocolate. It seems tastes can change well into adulthood because I now like it very much indeed! I have Pret-a-Manger to thank for this discovery, as I tried their vegan Mexican-style avocado and bean pitta and realised I didn't need to avoid the avocado chunks.



Since that discovery I have had avocado on English muffins, as above, and in crusty rolls, as below.



I also made avocado, bean and kale wraps for dinner one night...



When I'm not eating avocado, I am still eating porridge. A recent winning bowl featured half a banana and almond milk mixed into the porridge, with the remaining banana and sesame seeds scattered on top. I don't have sesame seeds often but they were a nice addition here.



My kitchen also has another bottle of my beloved Choc Shot sauce (!). I say 'another' because I still have a bottle of the original flavour and one of the orange flavour on the go. The new purchase was because they have a new flavour version - coconut. I don't like it as much as the others but will undoubtedly get through it.


I also have a pack of The Food Doctor fig and cranberry granola, which takes my cereal collection to quite mammoth levels. It complements a cupboard with oats, Special K-style flakes, mixed fruit and nut flakes, weetabix, and sugar free Cheerios. A cereal for every occasion.


What is happening in your kitchen this month?

22 comments:

  1. flowers really make a difference to a house - yours look lovely - and I am glad you are embracing avocados because I love them and wish I had them more (and that they aren't as expensive as they have been here lately)

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    1. They are a bit pricey here too but not that bad - although by rights they ought to be given they are hardly local!

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  2. It turned Autumn in Australia this week so we're giving summer back to the northerners. We still get to revel in the end of the season foods though. I love flowers and I love avocados too!

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  3. Avocado, I agree, is a really delicious treat. Amazing how well a nearly ripe avocado will last after you bring it home, too.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  4. It's only in recent years I began to appreciate the avocado but what turns me off is the price. So expensive here!

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    1. I just read your comment about the price on your blog. Crazy!!

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  5. I have choc shot pretty much every day. It's so good with Greek yoghurt and strawberries.

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    1. I love it with yoghurt and berries too :-)

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  6. I used to fear avocado too - I can't remember when I changed my mind but it's been a love affair ever since. With you on the coconut Choc Shot - the original is still the best!

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    1. I do like the orange but think they can probably stop with flavour variations now (if only to save my wallet!) ;)

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  7. Hi Kari:)
    Oh what lovely flowers with endearing thoughts. Aren't they the best! When my kids were little I always suggested they try something even if they thought they already tried it and didn't like it. I use to say, "tastes change" lol...Well, I should take my own advice after reading your thoughts on spelt, lol...As for avocados, LOVE them! I eat a lot of hummus too so I like to chop up the avocado and add it to the hummus, then dip, dip, dip!

    So nice visitng your kitchen Kari, thanks for inviting us...

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    1. Thanks Louise! I like your idea of hummus and avocado too.

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  8. The wraps and porridge look so good - I would love to eat them (and I am hungry right now!).

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  9. Those flowers are so cheerful looking. I'm rather jealous of your avocados - I'm a huge fan but refuse to pay the horrid prices at the moment. On the occasion we go out to breakfast, I always order avo on toast now, much to Mr Fork's disgust as he thinks I should order something 'fancier'.
    I would love to see a shot of your cereal collection - I'm a big believer in cereal whenever too :)

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    1. It sounds like Australia is in an expensive avocado phase. All the more reason to order them out I would say!

      I'll try to remember to photograph my cereal next month :-)

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  10. Wow! Your kitchen is very exciting this month. Especially the Choc Shot sauce! I don't think I've seen anything like that here in California. It looks SO GOOD =)
    The flowers are quite pretty, we're starting to see them more here too. I will admit that I'm enjoying the sun going down later in the day now, but sad at the dark mornings as I prefer to wake with the sun.
    And yay for your progression with avocado! I used to think it looked weird and wouldn't try it. I didn't try it until my late 20's and I feel like I'm making up for lost time with it now ;)

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    1. There are obviously a group of us late avocado bloomers!

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  11. i have always loved avocado but other things like banana and kale are no-nos. i have lately been a bit more adventurous and have eaten some banana things. it's a world gone mad but nice to know we can change our prejudices even in our old age. :) but kale mm noooo

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  12. Sounds like I'm opposite to you - well used to be! I don't like avocado by itself but I like it mixed into mexican meals - but DO NOT serve me chocolate avocado desserts - belch!!!! I just cannot stomach them at all! What a way to wreck chocolate desserts ;-) lol
    Flowers really do always freshen up a home & feel so welcoming.
    And pleased to hear you are getting some sunlight - we are slowly but surely the other end of things, getting darker earlier and earlier - sure not looking forward to winter coming!

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