In My Kitchen- October 2014

October already!

Blossoms are blooming, veggie seeds are just starting to sprout and hayfever has definitely hit fever pitch

It's also time for the fun monthly In My Kitchen roundup joining in with gorgeous Celia and an ever growing group of foodies for a peep into their kitchens. If you feel like a little look-see or if you'd like to join in, link up with Celia  HERE  for a bit of fun


In My Kitchen...
is a big bunch of fresh home-grown Asparagus. It's popping up almost faster than I can pick it at the moment, and boy does it shoot up quick. It's just so sweet and tender that I like to sneak a few stems to snack on every time I'm outside in the garden- yummo!

In My Kitchen...
is some Health Inspiration. Both BigJ and I need to get fitter and healthier, so we're looking at the 5:2 Fasting Diet Plan as a manageable way to stay on track and hopefully lose a bit of weight in the process- here's hoping :)

In My Kitchen...
are some very yummy Chutney we picked up at a local market. The citrus flavours come through really well but without any bitterness

In My Kitchen...
is a Giant Blueberry Cupcake made by littlej. She had free reign on the sprinkles and food colourings, and I can tell you that the inside of the cake is even more startling than the outside

In My Kitchen...
are a few more market goodies from the Chilli Factory. These are really at the wussy/mild end of the heat spectrum though. My favourite Wasabi Mustard is at 10 on their scale and is plenty hot enough for me although I believe they get up to 15 on their heat level

In My Kitchen...
is this very unusual find of Goat Milk Caramel. Now I can tolerate goat and sheep products just fine, so this was an exciting product indeed. It was actually even cheaper than most of the other 'regular' ones out there in the market too- win win!

In My Kitchen...
is some very yummy Caramelised Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar and some nice fresh Olive Oil. I really like fruit splashed with balsamic, and I also really like to marble it and the matching fruit through ice cream for a bit of sweet acidity

In My Kitchen...
are gorgeous little bubbles of deliciousness! Tiny little pearls filled with sweet violet flavour, and just so cute indeed. I really need to come up with a way to show these off- maybe topping a verrine or something else beautiful

Just like floral caviar! They go 'pop' in the mouth too

In My Kitchen...
more Floral Flavours with a jar of Chocolate Covered, Rose flavoured Macadamia nuts. A very sweet cheer-me-up present from BigJ

In My Kitchen...
a Monster sized Stock Pot for BigJ from MiddleC. I have a nice big one for soup and stock, but we needed a really large one for when he braises his World Famous BBQ Ribs. It's serious business these ribs. First he covers them with a Very Secret dry rub; then vac seals and marinates them so the flavour sucks right into the meat; then the meat is braised in a Very Secret wet mix; then the ribs are tossed on the BBQ to get their yummy smokey flavour and build up a sweet, sticky glaze as they're continually brushed with the reduced braising liquid that eventually becomes the sauce for the finally finished product. Whew! I promise you the end result is well and truly worth it, but he won't let me blog about it as it is a very well guarded Secret indeed

 

In My Kitchen...
are some crispy Rice Flour and Sesame Cookies I picked up at the Thai Food Fair. It's held every year at the Thai Embassy and we always have a great time seeing all the cultural displays and filling up on the huge variety of yummy food available

In My Kitchen...
with the weather warming up I thought I should be prepared with my favourite Summery Tipple. A small splash of this Sloe Gin in a very big glass of plain soda water is absolutely delicious and very, very refreshing. I like the slight sour taste and it's not too sweet at all

In My Kitchen...
on the other end of the alcohol spectrum is this very sticky, very sweet Vok liqueur. It's selling point to me was it's flavour of Rose and Violet- I just can't help it! The taste is actually very similar to old fashioned Musk Sticks, but I can imagine just a touch infused into cream or panna cotta would be very nice indeed. Perhaps in a verrine topped with little violet pearls perhaps? :)

So Dear Readers, what's your favourite Summery Tipple and is there any flavour that you just can't resist?