Thursday 1 June 2017

In My Kitchen - June 2017

Hi fellow IMK friends!  I am happy to catch up with you here again this month, for another fascinating look into everyone's global kitchens. Hopefully any glitches from my first hosting gig last month are fixed, and all will go great guns from now on.  I'll keep the sidebar going for a bit longer, as well as the link images.  So here is the link to the guidelines for adding your wonderful posts. And I thank you for joining in!  


(Just in case you've forgotten, here are the options for adding your post:
1. Adding via the link button at the bottom of this post.  Instructions can be found at the top of this page, under Add your IMK link
2. Comment on this post, providing a link to your post so I can add it to the linky list below
3. Email me: sherrym1au@gmail.com, with your link or any queries about the link process)



Let's check out some of my own recently acquired kitchen goodies:


a huge bunch of dried oregano


Whenever I run out of oregano, I make a trip over the river to bohemian West End to grab a monstrously huge (dried) bunch from the Greek deli.  I then spend a bit of time pulling the leaves from the stems, risking a rash from the pungent oils.  It is worth it, not to have to use the ghastly dustbin scrapings they sell in the supermarket.




Marigold pattern breakfast plate 

I happened to buy a bowl in this pattern last time we were in Toowoomba at a lovely Antiques Store.  When hubby and I were up again recently to meet some Instagram friends, I had to have another rootle around this huge, jam-packed store.  It is sooo tempting, but I restrained myself and only bought this one. 




a foodie gift from Sandra @Please Pass The Recipe 

I caught up with Sandra, a fellow Brisbane food blogger for lunch recently.  She kindly gave me one of her jars of cumquat marmalade.  Look how it gleams in the sunlight. Thanks Sandra, and let's do it again soon.   




lovely local capers


I just received these in the post from Bunya Red Farm.  They grow and sell their capers and caperberries from their farm in the South Burnett region of Queensland.  I can't wait till the caperberries are in season again.



wonderful Mexican molinillo



I also have to say a huge thank you to Fiona from Tiffin Bite Sized Food Adventures for giving me this wonderful wooden hot chocolate whisker.  It is a thing of beauty for sure. She knows of my attraction to things Mexican, including the fabulous artwork of Frida Kahlo.  I followed her recent adventures in Mexico with a smile and a slightly jealous heart.



oh, and don't forget the Mexican chocolate  


This chocolate bar has such a divine smell.  Yes it is indeed sunshine chocolate as the name states.  Mexican chocolate is made up of milk chocolate and cinnamon, though sometimes other spices are used.  Great for mole sauces also apparently.  Thanks, Fiona.




new season olive oil  



Every year I buy a bottle of the new season's Limited Release oil from Cobram Estate. It is a blissful, golden liquid.  And yes, I use mine for everything including frying up aromates and ...well, everything.




my tin of dried oregano


I can't resist showing you the tin of oregano, all labelled and ready to use.  I remembered I had a heap of bookplates sitting around so I thought why not put them to use as food labels?  So much better to make use of them, than have them sitting there doing nothing:=) 

   


                   
Sherrys Pickings

50 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry -- Nice platter ... lots of fresh oregano is a luxury! I seek fresh herbs when I can get them, and even planted some, hoping to grow my own this year. I love the challenge of reviewing what's happened each month, and was foresightful enough to photograph my food as I made it during May. I'm afraid it won't happen again in June because I'll be on the road soon -- but I've now put in my linky!

    Thanks again for hosting! best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. hi Mae
      thanks for joining in this month. have fun in your June travels. x

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  2. Hi Sherry, greetings from County Durham in England, where it's late afternoon on 31 May. You might have seen some of my adventures on Instagram? I'm loving all the goodies in your June kitchen, especially that dried oregano (I can smell it from here!), Sandra's cumquat marmalade (wow!), and the Cobram EVOO. I ran out of olive oil (bought from a farm shop at Mainsgill Farm) a few days ago, so made a beeline to M&S this afternoon when we arrived in Darlington. I need my salads in this unseasonable warm Springtime weather in England. My post will be up shortly. Will add it. Happy to cooking to you and all the IMK friends xx

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    1. hi Liz
      glad to hear you are are having a great time away. yes i am indeed following your adventures on FB and Instagram. it's actually quite cool here this morning for the first time in about 8 months. such a lovely day out here- blue sky and sun..thanks for joining in even tho you are far away!

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  3. I am so keen to get some of that first pressed cobram oil Sherry. I haven't seen it down here. Where did you buy it? Sandra's marmalade looks so beautiful- almost too good to eat. Thanks for the link up- working well. Francesca

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    1. hi francesca, that is great news that the link worked. phew! you can buy the cobram oil online - just type in cobramestate and look at the limited edition heading. Yes isn't sandra's marmalade absolutely gorgeous? i love how it gleams in the sun. thanks for joining in!

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  4. I always buy the Greek or Italian oregano. You are so right - the supermarket stuff is just like sweepings!

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    1. yep this is so much better. i was amazed to get a rash last time tho, after pulling off all the leaves. i didn't realise how pungent the oils were.

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  5. Hi Sherry, Thanks for the lovely shout out. I agree with you re oregano, you have to know your source, speaking of which the Cobram oil looks delicious. I managed to copy and paste the badge but when I went to do the link it couldn't find an image on my post. I'll keep plugging away but meanwhile here's my contribution https://pleasepasstherecipe.com/2017/06/01/imk-june-17/

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    1. hi sandra
      thanks muchly for joining in. thankfully your link has worked! so i can see it there with the photo. yay!

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  6. Snap on the olive oil. What a gorgeous colour. I love Bunya Red capers - a great success story. Thanks for the shout out, gad you're enjoying it.

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    1. I love all the new olive oils this time of year. It's hard not to buy lots of different sorts. Thanks for joining in this month.

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  7. I like how you used the bookplate to label your oregano tin, very clever.

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    1. thanks Karen. i was pleased about thinking of it. after all they had been sitting there for years:)

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  8. Thanks again for hosting and for the clever link-up option! I have added my post to it.

    I love the look of your authentic dried oregano - so far from the supermarket equivalent. And I am impressed and envious of the hot chocolate whisker and Mexican chocolate! Enjoy :)

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    1. hi Kari, thanks for joining in this month. Phew i am glad that the linky seems to be working okay. last month it was all a bit weird and wonderful getting it all sorted out. have a good June! cheers

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  9. That cumquat marmalade looks fantastic - what a special treat. And thanks so much for hosting this month xox

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    1. hi shari. thanks for joining in this month. i know you are a busy lady so it is lovely to have you here...

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  10. Hello, Sherry! Your IMK offerings look marvelous (and tasty) and I wish you the best on continuing with your "linky" format. It's fun to see the posts before reading them! (As 'they' say, we eat with our eyes first!) Keep up the good work... "sidebar" if need be... or both. My post will be up 'n' running soon. (Will let you know when.) Just wanted to "check in" and say great minds think alike. :) I ran out of EVOO recently and had to replenish my stock... photo forthcoming soon. Thanks again for hostessing IMK! Your marigold plate, capers, chocolate & chili thoughts, oregano, and glowing cumquat jelly tickled my soul.

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    1. hi Kim
      thanks so much for your kind words and thoughts. I really appreciate the support. Yes i think i will keep the sidebar as well for a bit longer:) Looking forward to seeing your post! xx

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    2. Hi again, Sherry! Well, it seems I had more intentions than time... family matters took precedence. So, no IMK post for me in June, but I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone else via your linkys above. I'll also be AWOL in July (will be out of state for two weeks) -- just didn't want you to think I forgot about y'all! At least I'll have some photos and ideas at the ready for August! :) Thanks again for hostessing IMK, xo.

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    3. Hi kim
      How nice of you to get back to me. Sorry not to have a post but look forward to your august one:). Cheers!

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  11. An amazing haul Sherry! It's definitely hot chocolate weather. I put up my IMK goodies in today's post :D

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    1. Hi Lorraine. Yep definitely getting colder now even in sunny Brisbane:)

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  12. Hi, first time playing along. I love all things Mexican and also have a huge love for Frida.

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    1. hi Jacki, how lovely to see you here. Welcome to IMK. Isn't Frida the best? I wish I was Madonna and could afford to buy her works. imagine having frida's art in your own house! welcome and i hope we see you next month. cheers!

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  13. Hi Sherry, that Mexican hot chocolate whisk is fabulous, have not seen one before. The cumquat marmalade looks delicious and love a good virgin oil too :)

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    1. Hi Moyà
      Nice to see you. I adore olive oils and keep buying them even tho my pantry is full:). Sandra's marmalade is a thing of beauty isn't it?

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  14. Sherry, was it Lancaster's Antiques in Toowoomba? If so, that place is HUGE. So many nooks and crannies to explore. Love that you found true Oregano. I can only imagine the aroma of it compared to the "oregano" sold in the shops :)

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    1. Hi Kirsty
      Yes indeed it was Lancasters. Isn't it fab? The oregano 🌿 is incredibly fragrant; wonderful to have it rather than those horrible supermarket bottles. Thanks for joining in.

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  15. Greek oregano is amazing, I picked up some Cyprus years back and it was unlike any other dried oregano i had and to this day, I still wish I had some as supermarket brands are a disappointment. The colour of the kumquat marmalade is like sunshine in a jar. Amazing.

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    1. Hi shaheen
      Lovely to see you again at IMK:). Yes the Greek dried oregano is completely different to the stuff at the supermarket You can actually see the little dried flowers and leaves 🍃. thanks for joining in this month Cheers.

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  16. Ooohhh what goodies Sherry! I would love to cook with that chocolate. I also buy that oregano.

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  17. Hi Jem
    Enjoying the cooler weather? It's a treat isn't it :). those tiny spice and herb 🌿 bottles you buy at the shops are so expensive too. Much more economical and sensible to buy a big bunch. And fun at those crazy delis!

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  18. What a varied collection of treasures in your kitchen this month, Sherry. The Mexican chocolate and molinillo are winners, and the oregano bookplate label brought a grin. This Spring my Greek oregano and mint are wildly volunteering in flowerbeds, competing to see which can be the worst/best nuisance.

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    1. Ooh you are lucky 🍀 to have herbs 🌿 growing in your garden. You have probably seen my complaints about bugs and bush turkeys 🦃:)

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  19. I bet that oregano smells wonderful, it is a spice I use a lot as well. Your platter is lovely. This is the second time I have heard of cumquat marmalade, going to have to look into it when they come into season. Thank you for hosting.

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    1. hi Liz
      yes the cumquat marmalade is a treat! so tangy and delicious. not easy to make tho. i have only made it once and it took forever!:) Well i guess it depends if you go to the bother of finely slicing and de-pipping the fruit first- which I did. i have read easier ways since then.:=)

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  20. Love the oregano Sherry, it's so hard to find around Melbourne. Seeing your crop ;) makes me want to take a trip to Oakleigh, which is a very big Greek community so they're bound to have some. Capers look amazing! It's like they came straight from the tree into the packet! Where did you get that 1st harvest EVOO? It look delicious. Thanks again for hosting this great party, I just finding inspiration with all my beautiful friends xx
    https://missfoodfairy.com/2017/06/07/in-my-kitchen-june-2017/

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    1. Hi Miss FF
      Thanks so much for joining in. Lovely to have you here. I got the evoo online from Cobram estate. Not sold in the shops I believe I think it was Francesca another blogger who told me they have sold out already ! Cheers! Another good oil to buy is from Patrice Newell at Elmwood farm I get her oil every year also.

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  21. Love the cumquat marmalade. Something I would try and make for sure. And such a lovely gift from Fiona :)

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    1. Hi Tandy. Yes I was very lucky getting the marmalade and the molinillo and the chocolate as gifts. Bloggers are such great people!

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  22. Hi Sherry! This time I managed to add the linky! But sorry about just this short note, I'm rushing this post at work. I will have a look at the posts better later. Thanks again for hosting!

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    1. Thanks for joining in this month. Great to see you here. Glad the linky worked! Cheers.

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  23. I love your book labels - there are so many gorgeous book labels out there and not enough labels for kitchen stuff! Gorgeous plate and the mexican chocolate and implement look like great fun. My IMK is
    http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/in-my-kitchen-june-2017.html

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    1. thanks Johanna! yes i have heaps of book labels in my drawers but i just don't seem to get around to putting them on books. seems sacrilege somehow:) but they are perfect for labelling my cooking things. thanks for joining in. Cheers!

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  24. Loving all your oregano. I really do need to start growing it in the garden. For some reason I seem to forget it. The capers also look fantastic. My boys absolutely love them and eat a lot. Maybe I should research if I can get them to grow here. Your platter is lovely as well.

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    1. Thanks Gretchen. Thanks for joining in IMK this month. I had never thought of growing caper bushes :). What a good idea! I think you need a Mediterranean climate so no good here in sub tropical 🌴 Brisbane. They grow them in the mountains here.

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