Welcome to In My Kitchen Four. Enjoy a quick peek at some of the items that have passed through the Tin and Thyme kitchen during June and July.
It’s been way too long since I participated in Celia’s wonderful In My Kitchen series. This series has been going for quite a few years now and is pretty much what it says on the tin. It’s a sort of celebration of what is going on in many kitchens around the world. Head over to Celia’s blog Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and you can see what’s been happening in her mouth watering kitchen over the years.
In My Kitchen Four
Baking
As you’ve probably gathered by now, baking is at the heart of what I do. This means it’s unlikely you’ll not find something baking related in my kitchen.
Stand Mixer
In my kitchen I have a very exciting new beast and it’s bright red too. I was amazingly lucky to win a KitchenAid recently from Karen over at Lavender and Lovage. It has taken up residence in a corner of my kitchen and it made pizza for me about ten minutes after I took it out of its box.
Wholemeal Rolls
With the leftover pizza dough, I made nine mini rolls, which will be very useful for lunchtimes. I made the dough with half strong wholemeal and half plain white flour with just a little olive oil. All I can say is, pizza dough makes great bread rolls too.
Chinese Walnut Cookies
In my kitchen sits a tray of still warm Chinese sweet and salty walnut cookies. It’s a recipe I’ve adapted from The Dumpling Sisters Cookbook, which is due to be published on 11 June.
Goose Egg
In my kitchen is a goose egg. It’s probably the last one I shall get this year as geese have quite a short laying season. Goose eggs are good for baking, but they also make terrific scrambled eggs. One is enough for both of us.
Pastry Forks and Cake Server
When I lived in Leamington Spa many years ago, there was a captivating kitchen shop which I liked to wander around. I’d dream of one day being able to buy some of the lovely things it held. Pastry forks and cake servers werenβt even on my radar then, but I did have my eye on some classic Arthur Price cutlery.
Iβd just got my first post-university job and had virtually nothing in the way of spare change after buying food and paying the bills. However, one day I decided I was fed up with eating from a couple of tinny forks and spoons Iβd picked up from a local charity shop and it was time to invest in something better. The Grecian cutlery from Arthur Price was both stylish and of good quality.
Thus every month, after receiving my wages, I went out and bought one or two items; a fork here and a couple of teaspoons there. I didnβt bother with any knives as Iβm a fan of bone handled ones and have managed to acquire quite a collection over the years β from charity shops and the kindness of friends.
Eventually Iβd built up a set of forks, spoons and teaspoons for eight people as well as four serving spoons. Iβve never looked back and never regretted my choice. They have served me, my family and my guests well over the years and get taken out whenever I have friends over for dinner or I’ve made a special meal of any kind.
Arthur Price is a British family business which was established over a century ago in the spoon and fork capital, Birmingham. Now based in Lichfield, the company is in the hands of 4th generation Simon Price who is keen to continue the tradition of high quality design and craftsmanship that made the company famous.
When I had a look at the website recently, I couldnβt quite believe my luck. Because I spotted a set of pastry forks in my very own Grecian style.
There’s something very civilised about eating cakes and pastries with a fork but itβs also practical and avoids getting sticky fingers. Pastry forks look attractive too and raise a tea table to a level of sophistication that is not often seen in our house. When you have a matching cake server, it can only get better.
Fig Almond Whisky Mini Bundt Cakes
I couldnβt wait to try them out. When I made my fig almond cake with whisky the other day, I made six additional mini ones, so I could christen my pastry forks with something suitably elegant. The forks are not only a pleasure to look at, but theyβre good to hold too. They feel both sturdy and light at the same time. Made from high quality 18/10 stainless steel, they do not bend easily.
Flowers
In my kitchen I have wild flowers picked from our plot. We haven’t been very good at keeping up with things recently and the flowers have taken over – some people call them weeds.
Down at the plot, we’ve got a lot of these gorgeous oriental poppies. Oriental poppy as art, I reckon. Isn’t the interior just amazing? This was the first one that opened for us this year.
I don’t always succeed, but I do try to have hand picked flowers on my kitchen windowsill throughout the year. For July, it’s the turn of chives, picked from my garden.
In the sitting room I have this lovely bunch of flowers from Serenata Flowers. This was for a giveaway I’m hosting. I’m extremely fond of roses and lilies and the vivid colours in this bouquet have brightened up my sitting room during some rather grey and dismal days. I can’t help but smile whenever I look at them.
Tea Time
It’s always time for tea in the Tin and Thyme household. Both CT and I are avid tea drinkers. Though it’s not generally builder’s tea. I can only drink that if it’s incredibly weak. However, tea time can also mean hot chocolate.
Chinese Teas
I’ve had a real streak of luck over the last month and have won not just the KitchenAid, but also a selection of really interesting Chinese teas from Janice over at FarmersgirlKitchen. As I type, I am drinking a cup of Lu Shan Yun Wu, which has smokey notes and a distinctive taste hard to describe – I’m already regretting coming to the end of this one.
German Drinking Chocolate
My mother has recently returned from her first visit to Germany. She brought me back some Extra Dark 65% drinking chocolate to try. I tried it and it’s very very nice.
It has a robust chocolate flavour and is hardly sweet at all, just how I like it. I made mine with half milk and half water. Hot chocolate is not usually something I’m that keen to drink in the summer, but the weather has turned a bit cold and wet, so it’s actually very welcome.
Produce
Homegrown is always the best if you have the time and space. We don’t manage to grow nearly as much as we’d like, but we do grow some things. Summer is a time for strawberries and roses that go together surprisingly well.
Homegrown Strawberries
Our strawberries were not very prolific this year, mostly due to neglect and birds. But these five were very sweet and flavoursome and definitely worth having.
Rose Syrup
Two days ago, I made my annual batch of rose syrup from the only rose my bush managed to produce this year. I’m hoping I’ll get lucky and one or two more might make an appearance later in the year. But meanwhile this is a good way to remember its beautiful colour and scent.
I’ve already used it as a cordial and in this morning’s berry smoothie. I fear it won’t last long.
Other Goings On In My Kitchen Four
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
In my kitchen, I have some very tasty chocolates that I made yesterday in lieu of a birthday cake. Sometimes nothing will do except cake, sometimes it’s chocolate that is needed, sometimes both are required. I’m feeling a little deprived of good quality chocolate at the moment and can’t guarantee I will be given any for my birthday.
These are a sneak preview of my chocolate peanut butter cups that I’m publishing later this month. They’ll be worth the wait.
Nut Butters
Nut butters are always useful to have and these Pip & Nut butters are some of the best I’ve tasted in a very long time. No nasty ingredients, just the nuts and a little salt. These three pots were the third blogging win I had in as many weeks. They came via Tina from The Worktop.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Rummaging through one of my cupboards the other day, I came across this forgotten bottle of pumpkin seed oil. It’s meant to be very good for you and it also makes a tasty edition to a salad dressing.
I quickly rustled one up to go with our evening salad and it was quite delicious: lime juice, balsamic vinegar, a dash of tamari, cold pressed rapeseed oil and a little pumpkin seed oil.
Power Blender
My kitchen is not a big one and finding space to put anything in it is always a bit of a trial. However my Optimum 9200 Next Generation high speed blender gets used so often I had to give up a bit of my precious counter top to make room for it.
It’s worth it though. I can put all sorts of ingredients into our morning smoothies that I could never use with my old blender. They’re ground so fine their texture is undetectable: kale, linseeds, goji berries, dried calendula petals, nettles and so much more.
And it’s not just used for smoothies either, I’ve made all sorts, including raw chocolate cashew spread and quick tomato sauce with seaweed.
Glasses
I found five of these fabulous glasses in a local charity shop a couple of weeks ago and bought them all for Β£1. We’ve used them every day since.
Cookbook
It seems my winning streak has continued. My recipes for fat hen and chickweed pestoΒ and rose syrup were picked for June’s Simple and in Season. Many thanks to Ren.
The prize was At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen by Amy Chaplin. It’s a fabulous book and right up my street too with lots of nourishing recipes using the sort of ingredients that are generally to be found in my kitchen, plus a few new ones for me to explore.
Previous In My Kitchen Posts. All three of them!
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. Here ends the peek as to whatβs been happening in my kitchen this summer. Whatβs been happening in your kitchen? Iβd love to hear about it in the comments below. Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And donβt forget to SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Or why not join the conversation in our Healthy Vegetarian Whole Food Recipes Facebook Group?
If youβd like more about me type of posts, follow the link and youβll find I have a few.
Choclette x
Karen Burns-Booth says
LOL! I had to laugh at this post Choclette! GOOD FOR YOU too, for winning, as I know you are usually #neverwinsasausage along with @TwitTottee! I was SO pleased when I saw the Rafflecopter throw up your name, I was probably JUST as excited as you!
Well done and CARRY on BAKING!
Karen
Choclette says
Hehe Karen, thatβs very kind of you. I was very pleased to win and to win something so much more exciting than a sausage too. Thank you again
Cate says
What glorious baked goodies! Such a good month for IMK!
Choclette says
Thank you Cate. IMK has become a very popular event – it’s always so interesting to see what is going on in all these kitchens π
celia says
Can I tell you again how absolutely fabulous it is to be peeking into your kitchen again? It might have been a while, but you’ve always been part of the IMK family! I love the Dumpling Sisters, will watch out for their cookbook, thank you. And you won a KitchenAid? Who wins a KitchenAid? That has to be the most amazing prize ever, hooray for you!! π Much love xxx
Choclette says
Thank you Celia, it certainly feels like I’m part of the IMK family, even if I only ever make an occasional visit home. And I know, I was incredibly lucky to win that KitchenAid π
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
Well done again on winning the kitchen aid! What a fab prize. Your rose syrup looks amazing, look forward to seeing how you made it.
Choclette says
Thank you Lucy. The rose syrup is dead easy. I’ve written a how to already, but might do a more up to date one. it’s incredible stuff.
Maree says
Nice!
Choclette says
Thanks Maree
Maggie says
Fabulous kitchen roundup – as everyone has said what an amazing prize, well done!
Laura says
Love the idea of this round up – it makes for a lovely post! Might organise myself to join in one of these days…. π
Choclette says
Well you can see how organised I am Laura – 4 posts in 4 years! But I do always intend to take part. It’s fun.
HodgePodgeDays says
Lots going on in your kitchen at the moment. have have massive Kitchen Aid envy now – enjoy!
Choclette says
Haha, I know the feeling. I had it for years π
Kim | a little lunch says
Choclette, what a fabulous winning streak you’ve been on! That red mixer is a gem. So are your jewel-toned wildflowers and rose syrup… so beautiful.
Choclette says
Thank you Kim. I know, I feel very lucky π
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Blimey! You are definitely on a winning streak!!! Well done…..
You’ll love that KA….. they are so powerful and well made!!
Choclette says
I made some bread in it almost as soon as it came out of the box and it was brilliant. Yesterday, I tried making Italian buttercream and it was a compete disaster – not sure I can blame the KA for that though, much as I’d like to π
Liz Posmyk (Good Things) says
Oh, what a glorious thing to have in your kitchen! That red KA, I mean! Well done. I love your flowers too! Thanks for the peek into your kitchen! We will be in the Cornwall region in the not too distant future!
Choclette says
Absolutely glorious Liz. I don’t know how much of a whirl wind tour you are on and whether timings fit in, but it would be lovely to meet you if at all possible.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
What a fun and interesting kitchen. I love posts like this. Wee sneaky peeks!
Choclette says
Thanks Jac, me too. I’ve been indulging in peeking into quite a few recently π
Glamorous Glutton says
What a great month!! The teas sound really interesting, as a lover of Lapsang suchong the tea you described sounds right up my street. GG
Choclette says
Ti’m just about to embark on the next tea GG – such an adventure π
Anne says
I had a dough hook for my KitchenAid but managed to snap it with a particularly large batch of dough. Love the colour of your rose syrup.
Choclette says
Oh no Anne, the dough hook looks quite sturdy, but sounds like I’d better be careful. Did you manage to get a replacement? I only have one rose in my garden and luckily it is a deep red scented one, so I get to enjoy a well flavoured beautifully coloured syrup.
Janie says
Get you lucky lady! LOVE the mixer, it’s real pretty and I couldn’t think of a more deserving kitchen or cook π
Janie x
Choclette says
Aww, thanks Janie. I feel very lucky indeed, but I’m not sure my kitchen’s so keen – trying to find somewhere to squeeze it in took some doing π
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
I am dying to try that Pip & Nut range. Off to buy some next week! I love my Kitchen Aid and I also have a Kmix for my cookery lessons. I would find it hard to choose which I prefer but I think KAid wins on aesthetics!
Choclette says
Great that you have two stand mixes Laura, the best of both worlds. It’s a whole new world to me, but the KAid certainly made a good job of my bread. The nut butters are well worth trying.
Ceri says
I’d love to have that kitchen aid – it would match my kettle! Hope you enjoy such a wonderful prize. Pretty flowers too – mot definitely not weeds!
Choclette says
A red kettle is next on my list Ceri and a red toaster too π I love the flowers, but they do make it rather difficult to grow vegetables.
shaheen says
I have a KitchenAid mixer too, but have hardly used it as there is never enough space in our kitchens. I am hoping to use it this weekend. So pleased you have your own, and yes its certainly bright and shiny.
Choclette says
Thanks Shaheen. I too have a kitchen space problem and had to do a major reshuffle to try and find somewhere for it to live. I can’t use it in situ which is a bit annoying, but I’m still looking forward to making things I couldn’t before – marshmallows for instance.
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
I would love some of your luck to rub off on me – you sound like you are on a winning streak – time for a lotto ticket (ha ha). My mum tells me how her stand mixer is great with mixing up her sourdough bread at night and saves her kneading and messy benches – your rolls look beautiful. Your rose syrup is a gorgeous colour and I love your flowers too.
Choclette says
Hi Johanna, I know, it’s funny how one gets a run of luck sometimes. Funny or not, I’ve very much appreciated it, even though it didn’t occur to me to get a lottery ticket – one day I might learn! Yes messy benches with bread making is something I will be glad to avoid too – I have such a small space, it’s hard to make room for it sometimes. Thank you for liking my flowers and syrup π
Nayna Kanabar says
Many congratulations on your wins. I am sure you are going to enjoy using your kitchen aid.
Choclette says
Thank you Nayna, I’m very sure I will π
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Love the red KitchenAid! Would adore one of those if I had a bigger kitchen!
Choclette says
Yes Becca, I too have a small kitchen and finding somewhere to put it has proved somewhat problematic.
Kath says
With your run of luck I hope you have a Euromillions ticket for tonights Β£81 million!! I love the greens in that first photo, what a lovely tea set. x
Choclette says
Oh really Kath? Bother. Too late to get one now π The tea set consists of that one cup and saucer that I found in a charity shop a couple of years ago, it’s gorgeous.
Cherished By Me says
Wow, what a lucky month you’ve had, I have a kitchen aid mixer too and love it.
The nut butters sound really interesting, I will have to look out for those as I like using different ones.
And, home made rose syrup!! Sounds heavenly, does it smell amazing?
Choclette says
I know, it’s been fabulous Nova and I’m really looking forward to making use of my new mixer. The nut butters are really good and yes the rose syrup has a beautiful scent π
Roz says
I think I would like to be in your kitchen at the moment!
Choclette says
Haha, thank you Roz. I’m just off to snaffle a biscuit π