I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.


Gluten and lactose are not my friends.


Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.


I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

February 2, 2015

In My Kitchen- February 2015



It's been a busy, busy week in the InTolerant household

BigJ is back at work for good and littlej has started another year of school. I peeked inside her math textbook, recoiled, shuddered and slammed it shut hard. There were hardly any numbers, it was full of letters and symbols and...stuff that looked scary. Surds and sines and imaginary numbers and things that looked like they belonged on one of The Big Bang Theory's whiteboards rather than in my daughters homework.
I can cut a chicken to serve 8 and divide a cake into 16 slices, but that's about the extent of it. She'd better not need any help from me in this subject!

The start of this week has also bought the start of this month- and we all know that means the latest edition of In My Kitchen, yay :) To check out what's happening in lots of kitchens around the globe, just go to darling Celia's blog here for the full list, and of course feel free to join in the fun as well



In My Kitchen...
is a stunning Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoon that my Mum bought back from the Philippines. Stainless steel and silver spoons aren't used for the precious, expensive little fishy eggs as they might leave a metallic taste or taint... now if I only had some caviar!


In My Kitchen...
are some beautiful blue glassware, courtesy of my friend Pony. She said she was tired of my old, thick, scratched ones and it was well past time for some new. The prettiness is just a sign of her unerring good taste, if it wasn't already obvious in her choice of friend :)



In My Kitchen...
also from Pony, so cute little Mason Jar Mugs. Won't these be nice full of maple syrup alongside some pancakes!



In My Kitchen...
a great cookbook from a chef I really admire. Full of interesting and inventive dishes that I just can't wait to get my teeth into



In My Kitchen...
a fun and fantastic Paella Set from MiddleC. I've been wanting a paella pan for ages, but couldn't justify it- isn't it nice when someone takes that decision out of your hands :)



In My Kitchen...
are some Korean Ingredients that BigJ fell in love with on a recent trip there for business. He absolutely adores the Ssamjang paste and we've been having lettuce wraps filled with grilled steak,rice and veggies smeared with this lovely, pungent, spicy sauce



In My Kitchen...
are some elegant Korean Table Utensils that BigJ bought back for me. The poor guy didn't have much time at all for sightseeing or shopping, but he still managed to get his priorities right and bring home presents for us all :)



In My Kitchen...
is some Earl Grey infused chocolate from T2. The bergamont flavours of Earl Grey match beautifully with the smooth chocolate- yummo


In my Kitchen...
is a Heat Proof Glove. With all the bottling/preserving/jamming I've been doing lately it's come in really handy for grabbing hot jars without scalding my hands as I would usually do



In My Kitchen...
speaking of preserving, here is my new Bottling Funnel. So much easier for filling jars with volcanically hot jam than just tipping it in and hoping it doesn't splash, or ladling it in tentatively in terror



In My Kitchen...
is a very small selection of my Summer Preserves. Plum Jam, Plum Sauce, Tomato Jam and Pickles are just the start of my collection- chutneys and passata are still to come



In My Kitchen...
are some plumdiddlyumptious fresh Figs just bursting with sweetness! Such a wonderful fruit indeed and wonderful sweet or savoury or just straight off the tree



In My Kitchen...
alien looking but also delicious, Rambutans. Similar to lychees they are going into a big bowl of fruit salad to have with my lactose free yoghurt in the morning



In My Kitchen...
another alien looking fruit, Prickly Pears. Who knew that a cactus could taste good?



In My Kitchen...
Carob Pods found at the local markets. I grew up with carob instead of chocolate for treats and just love its earthy sweetness. My family might shudder when I have a steaming cup of hot carob instead of cocoa, but it's all joy to me


So Dear Readers, do you have any weird and wonderful goodies in your kitchen this month, and have you ever eaten Prickly Pear before?



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30 comments:

  1. Lizzy (Good Things)February 2, 2015 at 6:14 PM

    Oh nice, Bec... love, love, love the carob pods... and the figs (did you grow them??). Looks like you're going to have great fun with paella and preserves. Happy cooking lovely.xo

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:38 PM

      My figs aren't ready just yet Liz, but they're black figs - even better! X

      Delete
  2. Amanda @lambsearsandhoneyFebruary 2, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    Ooh, what a lovely haul! I especially love the precious caviar spoon. And I'm with you on the maths stuff. It just make my brain go numb.

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:41 PM

      Littlej saw me frowning at her homework and asked 'which one did I get wrong?' in horrified voice. I didn't disillusion her by explaining I was staring at it in dismay! :)

      Delete
  3. Lorraine @ Not Quite NigellaFebruary 2, 2015 at 8:07 PM

    Loving this selection especially the heat glove (my hairdresser uses one!) and the fruit :D

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:44 PM

      What a good idea Lorraine! I love trying different types of fruit but still love my mangoes and raspberries the best :) xo

      Delete
  4. Hotly SpicedFebruary 3, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    Wow! You do sound like you've been super-busy, Rebecca, especially with all that preserving. I would love a bottling funnel as I'm no good at ladling things into jars. And how thoughtful of BigJ to bring you home such lovely and useful gifts. And if a call goes out for help with that maths homework, please don't look me up - Maths and I just don't talk the same language. I love the blue glassware from your friend - that would look so elegant on a dining table dressed for a dinner party xx

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:46 PM

      I know what you mean Charlie, I figure that paying for the $200 calculator she had to have should exempt me from homework helping :) I agree with you about BigJ too, he's definitely a keeper! Xo

      Delete
  5. UnknownFebruary 4, 2015 at 12:43 AM

    I must get a heat glove too. Somehow I never thought to use one for canning, thanks for that idea! Your preserves all sound wonderful. The caviar spoon is beautiful as are all the goodies your husband brought back from Korea.

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:49 PM

      Thanks Gretchen! I've definitely been Canning up a storm and the glove has been great as its so flexible compared to most other options. My hubby is a good bloke for sure, I've trained him well haven't I ;)

      Delete
  6. Tiffin FionaFebruary 5, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    Oh I love prickly pear. I tried it in Sth America and regretted that I hadn't tried it on a previous trip to East Africa. I'm always on the look out for it here though it does take some careful handling. Those heat proof gloves would probably do the trick! cheers Fiona xx

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 7:50 PM

      Good idea Fiona, I got stuck with a couple of those prickled and they're real buggers!

      Delete
  7. KirstyFebruary 6, 2015 at 11:24 PM

    Arghhhh Becca, pricky pear has to be my nemesis of the fruit world!! I picked one up at a local trash 'n' treasure market and went OUCH as the prickles stuck into my fingers. The stallholder said 'oh my dear you don't touch them'. Well there was no sign telling me not to!! I avoid them now. Pain reflex memory and all that. Hope you didn't get bitten and actually enjoyed yours! cheers, Kirsty

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:34 PM

      I did get a couple of prickles Kirsty, I read a good way to remove them is to smear on some of that white craft glue - the sort that dries clear, then when it dries totally you peel it off and the spikes will come out!

      Delete
  8. Milk and HoneyFebruary 7, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    I've been on a Korean food bender lately too. My pantry runneth over with Gochugaru and Doenjang. I love all that stuff. Oh and I can't live without my bottling funnel. It's funny how something so simple can make the job so much easier. I've never tasted prickly pear fruit, but it looks gorgeous.

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:37 PM

      Great minds think alike! The Korean food is so delicious, but luckily not enough to bribe BigJ into moving there for a year away from us. Now maybe if it was Thailand he would have considered it...that's his favourite food! :) xo

      Delete
    2. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:38 PM

      Great minds think alike! The Korean food is so delicious, but luckily not enough to bribe BigJ into moving there for a year away from us. Now maybe if it was Thailand he would have considered it...that's his favourite food! :) xo

      Delete
    3. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:38 PM

      Great minds think alike! The Korean food is so delicious, but luckily not enough to bribe BigJ into moving there for a year away from us. Now maybe if it was Thailand he would have considered it...that's his favourite food! :) xo

      Delete
  9. Tania@ MyKitchen StoriesFebruary 7, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Hi bec. You always have so much excitement in your Kitchen. How lovely that you have received so many presents it is no surprise though you are always thinking of others and shouldn't be surprised that others think of you.

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:41 PM

      Oh you sweetie Tania! Thanks for your lovely words, you're making me blush :) I certainly wish I had more friends like you xo xo

      Delete
  10. Maureen | Orgasmic ChefFebruary 9, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    I'm in love with the caviar spoon and the figs and carob have me just a bit envious.

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    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:43 PM

      You've always got so many goodies going on in tour kitchen Maureen that I've been suffering a bit of kitchen envy of my own :) xo

      Delete
  11. Gourmet GetawaysFebruary 10, 2015 at 10:53 PM

    Love the fruits in your kitchen! Thanks for the sneak peek! :)

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The InTolerant Chef ™February 11, 2015 at 8:45 PM

      Thanks guys! I love seeing what's new in season every week at the markets :) xo

      Delete
  12. EmilyFebruary 13, 2015 at 2:24 AM

    Hi Becca! Lovely post, I love Rambutans. For New Year's we had an Almond Pudding with them, delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

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  13. celiaFebruary 13, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    So hard to pick a favourite, Becca, but I *think* it's the spoon set J brought you back as a gift! Although the MOP caviar spoon is such a treasure as well! Love your pretty blue glasses, but the mason jar mugs drive me a bit nutty - I'll be glad when that trend is over! :) And isn't it great to find the perfect funnel? We searched for one for ages, but they always had too big a hole of our jars. Finally tracked one down at Chefs! :)

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  14. SeattleDeeFebruary 14, 2015 at 11:28 PM

    What a lovely pile of presents! I've no idea what Rambutan taste like, but they look quite otherworldly. Nopales are fairly common in SW Tex-Mex cooking, but neither item looks very inviting.

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  15. Wormly Organics - Organic SpirulinaFebruary 18, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    The ssamjang paste is for a Korean dish called samgyupsal, right? Wrapping the meat in lettuce with bean paste is really addicting, you wouldn't stop eating 'till you're full. All the other additions to your kitchen look really interesting!

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  16. Miss Food FairyFebruary 20, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    Love you new blue glasses (very swish) - they're so in right now. Your little mother of pearl spoon is really beautiful, a lovely little addition to your food photos ;) And those silver spoons & chopsticks from Korea - I just love silver cutlery that's a little different. Lovey goodies this month, see you next month for IMK

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  17. Kim | a little lunchFebruary 26, 2015 at 2:25 AM

    Becca, your new glassware is gorgeous, as are your serving spoons. I've never seen a Rambutan -- what a fascinating-looking fruit!

    ReplyDelete

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