It’s been another hectic month – no travel, but the juggle of uni, work and life. I’d say that I’m really looking forward to a break over Easter but I suspect I’ll be head down bum up trying to write literature reviews for uni. It will all be worth it, as by 7 June I should be finished and, all going according to plan, I’ll have my Master of Public Health. YAY!!
In my April kitchen…
… is this jar of goose fat that I was given at our foodie bookclub. I’ll be breaking it open over Easter to make some goose fat roast potatoes. YUM!
In my kitchen…
… are a bunch of goodies from today’s visit to Sunnybank. If you live in Brisbane and you haven’t been to Sunnybank to shop, then you are absolutely missing out! Particularly if you love Asian foods. I bought all these at Yuen’s.
In my kitchen…
… is a big bag of chicken feet. Perfect for making a beautiful gelatinous chicken broth. I use a whole chicken (shredding off the meat when it’s cooked), a couple of chicken carcasses, 3-4 chicken feet and some veggies. Simmer on the stove for a while, then in the oven on 100c for about 18 hours. It makes a couple of litres that I use for soups and just to drink. Delish. Check out Alexx Stuart’s blog for ten reasons why it’s so good for you. Doesn’t the chicken foot in the second pic look like an old lady’s hand!
In my kitchen…
… are a bunch of new cookbooks I’ve bought recently. My reward for winning a new client or a big new project is a cookbook. It’s been a good year so far with new clients and exciting new projects, so I’m reaping the rewards! I’ve cooked from all of these over the last few days and can’t wait to cook more! The bottom pick also shows one of the two jars of homemade sauerkraut that is in my fridge – something I have wanted to make for AGES but didn’t really know how. It’s SO EASY!
In my kitchen…
… is this brown rice vermicelli also from Sunnybank. I’ve never seen this before so thought I would buy some and give it a go. It’s made from 100% brown rice so I’m curious to see what it’s like.
In my kitchen…
… is a bottle of olive leaf extract that I was sent ages ago by the lovely people at Comvita. I’ve just dug it out as our household is experiencing the first cold of the year – my poor hubby. And poor me as I was awake most of last night listening to him making that horrible wet breathing sound. Bleugh.
What’s in your April kitchen? If you want to have a sneaky look at more kitchens, check out the list on Celia’s blog, Fig Jam and Lime Cordial – thanks also to Celia for hosting In my Kitchen every month.
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Goose fat! Nice, haven’t seen it in years. Nice selection of cookbooks too, Mel.
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Lizzy!
@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) says
Must make a visit to the Asian shops in Sunnybank, Mel – sounds like you got a great haul there.
Mel Kettle says
Happy to go with you Christine – Inala is also good (and often even better) 🙂
Fiona @TIFFIN bite sized food adventures says
Ha ha Mel! I saw that chicken foot on Twitter. It’s very freaky. I love Yuen’s though I go to the one in Fort Valley. Good to see that black vinegar and the Sriracha hiding in the background. Need to stock up now there is a shortage!
Mel Kettle says
Haven’t tried the black vinegar yet but I had an amazing dish of peanuts in black vinegar at Spice Temple so might try and replicate.
celia says
I LOVE that you have chickens’ feet on your blog! An 18 hour slow cook – wow – bet you end up with an amazingly flavourful stock. And as you know, loving Adam Liaw’s book! 🙂 How cool to receive goose fat as a gift!
Mel Kettle says
It’s incredible Celia. I’m never buying stock again! I had a bit of a cook up from Adam’s book last week and YUM!
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day! Great post Mel; enjoyed reading today!
I have not experienced chicken feet to date, but is on my list to do!
Thanks for this month’s kitchen view!
Cheers! Joanne
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Joanne! I don’t like them to eat but in stock they are great!
Selma @ Selma's Table says
Great IMK post – loved your cache from Yuen’s and those chicken feet – yikes!! Cookbooks look very interesting – have added Asian After Work to my Amazon wish list…
Mel Kettle says
Selma, it’s a fabulous book. I’ve made about 5-6 dishes from it so far, including four when I had only an hour to cook before our neighbours came for dinner last week. So quick and easy and all very yum!
The Life of Clare says
To be honest, the chicken feet freak me out a little, but the broth sounds delicious. I love that you reward yourself with cookbooks, what could be better?
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Clare! And not much is better than a cookbook 🙂
My Kitchen Stories says
I love Sunny bank. no9t that I live in Brisbane but I have visited with a friend while staying. That brown rice vermicelli looks very exciting
Mel Kettle says
I’m curious to try it 🙂