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In My Kitchen… August 2016

July just flew past. Between our Exteno Unveil Party and several birthdays, there was a lot of cooking and socialising and many Champagne corks popped. The party was a great success and true to my word, there was nary a paper or plastic plate, cup or piece of cutlery in sight. I nailed the catering too with barely anything leftover. Having said that, there won’t be any more parties for 50 in the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile in my August kitchen…

a jar of honey and a jar of marmalade

…are these jars of honey and marmalade. A gift from our friends Michelle, Tony and Oscar, it’s as if they looked directly into Anthony’s soul. His absolute favourite toppings are honey and marmalade so they are much appreciated at TIFFIN HQ.

 

In my kitchen…

a full head of cauliflower

…is a cauliflower. I know what you’re thinking. Did she need to take out a second mortgage to buy that? What was once a pauper’s vegetable is now as expensive as truffles. Well OK… Maybe not quite but you get the drift. Cauliflower’s stock has gone up as a result of hipster cooking fads such as Paleo and cauliflower rice. I had two caulis to use as they are in season at present. One went into good old fashioned cauliflower cheese and a soup, the second into some pickled giardiniera and, I’ll admit it, some cauliflower steaks. I hope they go back out of fashion again, very soon.

 

In my kitchen…

basket of sourdough bread rolls

…are these sourdough bread rolls, cooked in a muffin tin. I had a number of things crop up that meant the dough had languished for several hours longer than it should have. I was concerned it my have over proved so I made rolls by dividing the dough and cooking them ‘as is’ in a muffin tin. They are a little pale on top but nice and crunchy on the outside and the perfect size to enjoy with dinner. I have stored these in the freezer as they are quick to defrost on short notice. Disaster averted.

 

In my kitchen…

green enamel dripping pot with lif

…is a fun re-discovery. When I was unpacking into the new pantry, I found this little piece of yesteryear, stored inside another container. What is it? Based on my reader demographic, I’m sure most of you probably know. For those who don’t however, it’s a dripping or lard container. Used to store fat rendered from all of those roasts and chops cooked throughout the 1930’s to 60’s to be re-used in other cooking or, as my parents fondly remember, smeared on bread. Good times. Then sunflower oil and cholesterol came along and these pots were relegated to the scrap heap or the back of the cupboard at the very least. These days I use it to put cutlery in when we have family and friends over for casual meals. The bakelite knob has a crown symbol pressed into it. A signifier of a different era.

We are self hosting again this month as Maureen from The Orgasmic Chef continues focus on her health. Here are some links to other IMK contributors for August.

Celia – Fig Jam & Lime Cordial
Francesca – Almost Italian
Liz – Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things
Gretchen – Feeding My 3 Sons

12 comments… add one
  • Francesca August 2, 2016, 7:24 pm

    Thanks for the link up Fiona, I am so pleased you are doing it this month. Love that little fat tin- I used to have one like that. Good to strain oil into. Also teh raw honey looks and sounds delicious. Caulis were still cheap in Melbourne when I left ( around $2.99 a cauli) which is quite reasonable. Maybe they cost more as they travel north? It is tru that the hipster paleo fad foodists have embraced cauliflower. I will not be making a cauliflower based pizza any time son.

    • Fiona Ryan August 5, 2016, 6:01 pm

      A $3 cauli would be a rarity here. Pricing is certainly based on the fact that they are grown further south, in colder climes.

  • Sherry m August 2, 2016, 9:10 pm

    Damn those hipsters and their cauli steaks and rice:). I remember mum had an enamel bowl for the dripping. Can you imagine how many times it was re-used? And yes we got all the tales about the grandparents eating it on bread. I have read it is quite good for you actually. That it has some good vitamins! Who can believe?

    • Fiona Ryan August 5, 2016, 6:00 pm

      It’s true that animal fat has been over demonised but it is still full of cholesterol and that’s a danger for me so I won’t be spooning it onto bread any time soon!

  • Tandy | Lavender and Lime August 4, 2016, 2:01 pm

    Cauliflower is also a fashion food item here but I’ve ignored the price to ensure we continue enjoying it 😀

    • Fiona Ryan August 5, 2016, 5:58 pm

      It’s been very good these past few weeks so I’m happy for the change.

  • Liz Posmyk (Good Things) August 8, 2016, 5:33 pm

    Oh, thank you for the linky love… I adore cauliflower… have a wonderful August. xxx

  • Liz Posmyk (Good Things) August 8, 2016, 5:33 pm

    PS I also adore dripping on bread. Reminds me of my mum.

    • Fiona Ryan August 22, 2016, 12:13 pm

      My Dad loved it but he also had an early demise and I can’t help but think that all that cholesterol was a contributor!

  • Miss Food Fairy August 10, 2016, 3:40 pm

    I’m so glad your party went perfectly and everyone enjoyed the food Fiona 🙂 Loving the sound of that raw honey too. I love cauliflower with cheese sauce – my favourite.

    • Fiona Ryan August 22, 2016, 12:14 pm

      I have had to restrain Mr Tiffin, who adores honey, so he can savour it!

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