In my kitchen in February ... I've picked, for the table, the flush of Peace roses that surprisingly appreared after our recent searingly hot weather! They are one of my most favourite roses!
In my kitchen in February ... despite the extreme hot weather I am still managing to pick enough fresh vegetables each day to keep us out of the supermarket. Meanwhile the next fruit tree to come into season will be the Royal Gala apple - the apples are almost ripe! There's nothing like biting into a sweet, crunchy, juicy apple picked straight off the tree!
In my kitchen in February ... we are enjoying fresh summer salads made from what we pick from the garden each day!
In my kitchen in February ... I've been making a Greek dish called Horta - which literally translated means wild weeds. The plant I've used is an edible weed commonly known as smooth Amaranthus, but which the Greeks call Vlita. It is a very pleasant green vegetable to add to your table - and easy to grow. It is a weed after all!
In my kitchen in February ... and while talking about wild weeds after reading her recent post Purslane Salad I've been inspired by Celia to try purslane that I've discovered growing in my garden!
In my kitchen in February ... I've been eating watermelon using Bizzy Lizzy's fabulous recipe - Watermelon with Pomegranate, Lime and Mint! At Bizzy Lizzy's suggestion I also tried her Watermelon with Vodka Crush and Pomegranate. It was a hot night, the cocktail(s) exceptionally cold and delicious, and I will admit to waking up with a slight headache the next morning! I highly recommend both these recipes - thanks Bizzy Lizzy, I'm one happy watermelon lover!!!
In my kitchen in February ... we are using this bright and beautiful jug given as a Kris Kringle present. It keeps water icy cold - perfect to quench thirst in our hot weather!
In my kitchen in February ... I'm pondering on what I should cook in these gorgeous Mini Cocette dishes by Vue given to me for my recent birthday. Suggestions please!
The 'In My Kitchen' series is hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. To peek into kitchens from around the world do pay her inspiring website a visit!
Thank you for visiting my kitchen!
Cheers!
M
Thank you for the shout out lovely one! Watermelon is such a good thing in this heat... the vodka is a little treat... but my how exquisite is the granita?! Especially with the lime zest.
ReplyDeleteYour Peace Rose is stunning... and I love all the home grown produce in your kitchen! Much of ours has fried!
For the little cocettes... everything from French Onion Soup to Garlic Prawns! Happy cooking my friend.
The shout out is my pleasure, Liz! The granita was responsible for my headache! It is glorious!!!
ReplyDeleteWe've been protecting what we can of the garden with umbrellas purchased from IKEA - they have been garden saving!
Thanks for the suggestions re the mini cocette dishes - they were given to me by my thoughtful brother-in-law! I can't wait to use them!
The heat's on here in Adelaide so I think one of those cooling watermelon cocktails might be the go! I hope you are keeping cool in your neck of the woods!
Hi Marian Thankyou so much for the close up photo of the purslane. I love the idea of foraging for my dinner. We have that weed in our garden in both Perth and Bridgetown - we call it water weed (it does really well when the garden is well watered) and I have long suspected it was purslane but as I wasn't sure, I didn't try it. I will next time I see a plant growing.
ReplyDeleteHi Glenda!
DeletePurslane is the water weed of my childhood too! I remember spending many hot hours hoeing it out of the garden at the farm! And to think it was edible!!! You must try the Vlita if you get the chance - I'm finding it everywhere in my garden at the moment - I'd been pulling it out for years until my mother-in-law told me what it was!
Lovely fresh produce in your kitchen :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tandy! My little garden does a great job keeping us in fresh produce - but today was our hottest February day on record - it reached 44.7 degrees Centigrade. I'm hoping it will recover! Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteSo many fresh summery things in your kitchen. Are the mini cocette dishes small enough for baked eggs or creme brulee?
ReplyDeleteHi Anne!
DeleteThose little dishes are perfect for baked eggs and creme brulee! I shall have to make some very soon! Thanks for dropping by!
The salad looks tasty- the current heatwave in Melbourne has nearly destroyed my vegie patch. I really like the addition of pomegranate to the watermelon salad. For the little cocette, perhaps some salmon rillette?
ReplyDeleteHi Francesca! Using umbrellas over the plants has helped my veggie patch, but the 40 - 45C heat has taken it's toll on flowering. The pomegranate is a beautiful addition to this salad - not only for it's decorative appeal but also for the little pops of flavour the seeds provide. I love salmon - salmon rillette sounds wonderful for my little cocette dishes! Thanks for your interest!
DeleteFinding purslane in the garden is like finding treasure! :) And I'm so impressed that you're able to grow apples in the heat - we don't get enough frost days here in Sydney to set fruit. Your roses are very lovely! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Celia! I am now finding purslane everywhere in the garden - we have it in abundance! Thank you for introducing me to it! We are indeed fortunate with our Mediterranean climate here in Adelaide - the roses and apples love it!
DeleteG'day Marian and love the freshness of your ingredients, true!
ReplyDeleteLove your flowers and congrats that anything lasted through these heatwaves in Adelaide!
Thanks for this month's In My Kitchen series view!
Cheers! Joanne
http://whatsonthelist.net
Hi Joanne! I hope you are coping with our heatwaves! It's hard work keeping everything growing - but worth it I think! Cheers!
DeleteWhat lovely produce :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy! The produce tastes every bit as fresh and good as it looks too! I love foraging in the garden collecting each day's bounty! Thanks for visiting !
DeleteWell I'm glad I read this post because it reminds me that I have two cocotte dishes of my own, still in their boxes, sitting at the back of the cupboard. The temptation is to perhaps make an egg dish but I'm thinking 'pie'. Love your water jug. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona!
DeleteA pie sounds interesting!!! The jug has personality I think!!! Cheers!
Apple season is my favourite time of year. I've not yet made it to my local orchard, but I will have to get there sooner rather than later - the season goes too quickly and I hate missing out on a visit or three! Great IMK post :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jasmin,
DeleteWhat apple varieties are you eating and cooking with? Thanks for dropping by! Cheers!
Boy, I admire your garden. I only have a large orange tree in my garden, but it does give off many juicy oranges (I leave the oranges on the tree for 6 months to ripen). As for the mini cocotte dishes, I recommend serving some mini-soufflés in them or a mini chicken pot pie- they would look cute!
ReplyDeleteHi Fran!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like my garden! It's not very big but it is proving to be productive! I've started blogging about it at http//:watchingmygardengrow.blogspot.com.au.
Thanks for your suggestions for those little cocette dishes - I see that I will be using them regularly.
Marian, your lil' cocette casseroles are crying out for a garden vegetable gratin -- or stuffed zucchini flowers? Or an apple crumble when your apples are ready? I love your colorful pitcher, too -- water always seems more refreshing when it's served from a pitcher. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim!
ReplyDeleteI love your suggestions for my little cocette dishes - I must try them once the weather here cools down somewhat.
We've been experiencing record breaking heat so I've not been cooking much! The pitcher however has been perfect for chilled flavoured waters that I love! I do agree that water is more refreshing when served from a chilled pitcher.
I do hope you have enjoyed a lovely Valentines Day!!!
Cheers from Down Under!