I’m not in my usual kitchen this month as I’ve been visiting our fabulous family holiday house at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast. It’s been a wonderful couple of weeks away, relaxing, doing some work and catching up with friends. A highlight was the weekend past when three gorgeous girlfriends came down for Brisbane for a long weekend that was mainly filled with food, wine, chatter, walks in the rain and books. And then more food and wine. Along with a couple of other girlfriends who also stayed part of the weekend. This might have to become an annual event.
In my kitchen …
… is an absolutely ridiculous amount of Lindt chocolate. My new favourite peanut butter Lindor balls (there are also far too many leftover caramel, milk chocolate and hazlenut balls…).
In my kitchen …
… is even more chocolate. Thanks to my girlfriends for bringing a life supply of Lindt chocolate blocks. And for introducing me to the coconut one. How good is it!
In my kitchen …
… cute little tupperware measuring cups. No idea how old these are, but they are at least 1980s, maybe 1970s, as I remember baking with them as a kid. Thanks mum!
In my kitchen …
… a tin of chipotle chiles. I discovered these a few years ago, sold for some crazy price at a local store shortly before a trip to the US. Needless to say I bought 10 tins in the US! This isn’t one of them as they have long been eaten. I use these in everything! But mostly in my pulled pork recipe.
In my kitchen …
… beautiful goodies from the Scenic Rim, including these fabulous olives. I was sent a gift pack of goodies to promote Eat Local Week at the Scenic Rim, which was last week 23-30 June. These dates will definitely go in my diary for next year as I was really disappointed to miss out this year. They also sent me sensational tomatoes which were gobbled immediately, some local macadamias which I’ll be using to make aย macadamiaย butter, and more.
In my kitchen …
… the most beautiful bottle from Peppertree Wines in the Hunter Valley. I’ve been a member of Peppertree Wines on and off for years. I do enjoy the contents (a liqueur muscat) but I remember buying my own bottle (long since consumed) as I absolutely fell in love with the pressed metal plate and the funky bottle. I was delighted to find this tucked away in the back of a cupboard.ย Thanks dad.
In my kitchen …
… well, almost in my kitchen! This cheeky fella who has tried to get in every morning! He was visiting this morning with 16 of his cockatoo mates and a few lorikeets. So beautiful to wake up to.
In my kitchen …
… a fabulous book that was a thank you gift from one of my friends who stayed on the weekend. Perfect for dipping in and out of. Written in 1955 it suggests that “week-end cookery should either be very quick, a good meal produced in half an hour, or very slow, put on before you go out.” It goes onto say that the weekend will be judged by the food you offer. As Ingrid, Sally and Susan all want to return, I assume the food was OK ๐
Thanks to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting In my kitchen every month – check out her blog for more posts.
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Gina says
Mel, I love seeing those Tupperware measuring cups. I still have – and use regularly – the same set but in orange. Never subtle, Tupperware, are they? ๐ The pulled pork recipe looks amazing!
Mel says
Thanks Gina! And yes, the pulled pork is amazing.
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day Mel, I don’t think those Tupperware cups ever go out of style as think my mum had them in the States in a different color, true!
ABSOLUTELY love chipotles chilles…can’t get enough of them and thankfully now can get them in Adelaide too!
Please say G’day to Charlie from me and thanks for inviting me into your kitchen to enjoy and see! ๐
Cheers! Joanne
Mel says
thanks Joanne! We’re going to US next month and I’m leaving room in my bag to bring another stack of tins of chipotle chiles home again ๐
Gustoso says
I’m a big fan of Lindt chocolate too. My favourites are limited editions, which I wish they’d make part of their normal range – dark chocolate orange blocks and mint Lindor balls.
Mel says
I love those mint Lindor balls too. And the raspberry ones that you hardly ever see
@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) says
What a beautiful post Mel and I love the new look! Sounds like you had a great time at Killcare, perfect for re-charging the batteries. Love the cockatoo pic too.
Mel says
Thanks Christine. I’m heading home Friday and really don’t want to! But we’ve just taken a booking for next week and I’m sure they won’t want to share…
heidiannie says
Great post- I just can’t get past the peanut butter Lindt.
Everything looks great- but I’ve got to go and get some of the peanut butter Lindt balls. Thanks for sharing!
Bernice says
Peanut Butter Lindt? I guess I’ll have to keep a look out for those!!
I miss the cockies and the Aussie magpies (believe it or not!) though it’s now morning and my yard is filled with birdsong, just not loud obnoxious birdsong. heh.
Those old timey books are funny and I’m glad society has advanced some since those dark ages…
Mel Kettle says
They are amazing Bernice. My favourite birds are the kookaburras – I never get tired of their song, even when it wakes me at ridiculously early hours
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Hi Mel, love the new look web site, first up. Great job. Your family holiday house sounds so wonderful… packed with memories and treasures from life with your beloved mum and dad. Chocolate is always great therapy and essential on any getaway, I feel. Love the chipotle tin, the book sounds like a goodie… and how about that cheeky cockatoo wanting to keep you company!
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Lizzy, it’s very peaceful here. I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for having the foresight to buy here so long ago as no way could I afford to! Even though I thought they were crazy at the time!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
OMG. Peanut Butter Lindt Balls, holy moly! I want, I want I want!
Mel Kettle says
me too – have eaten them all ๐
Gourmet Getaways says
Oh I love old books which talk about womanly business from years gone by. I used to read my nan’s book when I was a kid.
…now, I can email you my address if there is too much chocolate for you to manage on your own ๐ I have not even noticed the peanut butter lindt :0!! I will being looking for the tomorrow though… hmmm how to hide them, so I can keep them all to myself :p
Mel Kettle says
I’m a chocolate hider – because if I don’t, my sweet-toothed hubby eats it all. The PB balls are definitely worth seeking out. I’ve now eaten them all so need to get more.
Celia says
Mel, I’m addicted to those exactly chipotle adobos as well. Absolutely hooked – the chilli sauce gets stirred into everything. I can buy them locally (at about $6.50/tin), so let me know if you ever run out and can’t find them. You can also get them (different brand) from http://www.fireworksfoods.com.au. Sounds like you’ve been having a wonderful time away! Love the tupperware! xx
Mel Kettle says
Aren’t they fabulous Celia? Thanks for your offer to buy them – we have a place in Brisbane that sells them for $4.95 or the big tins for $8.95. I always have at least 1 in the pantry
Fiona says
Can you believe it? – I just had some of Scenic Rim Olives on the weekend at a friend’s house and was raving on about how delicious they were. Snap! If you go to the Scenic Rim event next year – maybe we should do a road trip ; )
Mel Kettle says
A road trip sounds like a great idea!
Judy @Savoring Today says
Boy, those avocado green measuring cups bring back memories! I remember the set of bowls my mom had too. Chipotle chilies in adobo are worth buying by the case, though one can lasts me a while as I had to use them sparingly due to the spice, but use them I do — try them in Kung Pao — oh so good!
All I’d need is a handful of that Lindt chocolate and the book and I’m good for a day or two. Okay, mix in the friends, food, and wine … that’s a week right there! ๐
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Judy. A small tin of chillies usually lasts me a while too – I have other tupperware to keep them in ๐
Anne @GtSlamseysFarm says
What’s not to like about a post full of chocolate, cockatoo and muscat liqueur! Your book sounds a real treasure too.
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Anne. The book is fabulous!
Shirley from Rhubarb Whine says
Did you know you can get those same chillies at Meat at Billy’s ? ๐
Mel Kettle says
Oh thanks Shirley, I didn’t know that. Great they are become more easily available here
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
It is so fun to see what is in the kitchens of bloggers from around the world. Love your cheeky little friend…would never see one in my corner of the world. ๐
Mel Kettle says
thanks Karen – he was gorgeous. There were 17 cockatoos one morning, and a few brazen lorikeets. I even saw a couple of galahs one day which is far less common. Sadly it was too cold and wet for the kookaburras, although I did hear them most days ๐
Cookie Cutters says
do you need cheap and fashion cookie cutters? come here!!!
My Kitchen Stories says
I love Killcare. What a treat to have a holiday house there. I hope you get through all of that chocolate by the end of winter!!. Love cockatoos…just not in the morning!
Mel Kettle says
it’s beautiful isn’t it Tania? We are incredibly lucky – my parents bought that house as a tiny shack over 20 years ago.And yes, I was rudely awoken a few mornings by the cheeky cockatoos!