I’ve lost my blogging mojo lately and I don’t know where it’s gone! I think it is slowly returning, and I assume that’s because I haven’t left it to the last possible moment to write this month’s In my Kitchen post. Which is one of my favourite posts to write every month.
In my July kitchen…
… is an abundance of beautiful fresh and seasonal vegetables. I love this time of year for cooking – lots of crunchy cabbage, capsicums and carrots, fragrant herbs, the sharp tang of citrus. Perfect for adding to hearty soups, stews and braises. This box of goodies* was sent to me the organisers of Brisbane’s first Good Food Month, which kicked off yesterday. Check out the program if you are anywhere near Brisbane – loads of wonderful events to attend. I must confess that I was particularly pleased to see the bottle of Tanqueray gin as I had almost run out!
In my kitchen…
… are comforting winter soups. It has been unusually cold in Brisbane this week so I’ve had the soup pot simmering away. Today’s lunch was a roast pumpkin and coconut soup with lemongrass and turmeric. I had no idea what to make, until I remembered the massive pumpkin purchased at the markets on the weekend. I enlisted hubby to chop half the pumpkin (one of my least favourite jobs) before I roasted it for about 45 minutes.
To make the soup blitz up a 2cm piece of turmeric, 1/2 stalk of chopped lemongrass, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion, 2 carrots (I did it in my Thermomix on turbo for 3 pulses). Scrape down, add 2 tbs olive oil and cook (sp2/100c/5 min). Then chuck in the roasted pumpkin with 1 litre of water or veggie stock (I added 2 tsp of veggie stock concentrate) and cook on sp2/100c/10 min. Finally, blend on sp8/20 sec then add a 270ml of coconut cream and blend sp4/10 sec. Serve!
In my kitchen…
… is the cleanest and neatest fridge I’ve ever had! I was sick of the collection of almost empty jars and bottles that were multiplying more quickly than rabbits reproduce! I think I threw out the contents of about 37 jars…
In my kitchen…
… well, in my office really, is this old Quality Street tin. Remember those? Before they were bought by Nestle. They just aren’t the same now. I remember growing up you were either a Quality Street person or a Roses person. To this day I’ve never really liked Roses chocolates. Quality Street were a real treat, but we always had a tin at Christmas. They were tipped into a beautiful crystal lidded bowl and kept in the lounge room. We were only allowed to eat them with permission (usually after dinner) and woe betide anyone caught sneaking one! I loved the green triangles.
Before you ask, yes, the tin is now filled with a heap of badges I collected when I was a Girl Guide. I had just as many sewn onto a campfire blanket – no idea what happened to that. Probably moths. Actually, it’s possible these are the badges from that blanket, cut off and saved by mum. Lord knows I didn’t have that much sentimentality at that time!
What’s in your July kitchen? And what are your favourite winter soups?
The monthly roundup is hosted by Celia’s from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial – check out her blog to see a few other kitchens.
* Starred items were gifted to me in accordance with my editorial policy. I have not been paid to write about any of these products. All opinions are mine unless otherwise mentioned.
Go to winter soups from a Melburnian: minestrone made with McKenzie’s Italian Soup Mix (the blend is just right), Spicy Morrocan Chickpea and Lentil soup from The Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook. I also have a spicy carrot one that you finish with smooth peanut butter and fresh coriander – Yum!
They all sound divine but the spicy carrot sounds amazing Jane!
Hi Mel, Your pumpkin soup sounds wonderful (and healthy.) Despite the clean-out, your fridge still looks very full!
Had just done a shop Christine 🙂
Hi Mel, Great Kitchen this month! My fridge too looked like a mess until yesterday! I’m sure you will get your mojo back… just keep cooking new things and you will want to share them with people! Liz x
Thanks Elizabeth, it is sloooowly returning…
Beautiful soup! I will have to give that one a go. I normally do butternut with sage and roasted garlic but it would be good to change it up. Alas, no Thermomix for me so I’ll have to stick to the stock pot and stick blender but it’ll do!!
ooh yum that sounds good Lauren! A Thermomix is definitely not needed to make this soup, but it made it quick and easy on a workday
Mel, I hear ya about losing your bloggin mojo… thank heavens for IMK or I’d be down to one or two posts a month recently! (Slowly regaining momentum… know you will be, too.) I love the mix of nostaliga and rediscovery in your post… you’re onto something. Keep writing about it! 😉
Thanks Kim! I have a couple of posts swirling around in my head along that line too 🙂
so satisfying to clean out the fridge or pantry. hope the mojo comes thundering back:)
I used to keep my marbles in my Quality Street tin. Lovely soup recipe 🙂
Mel, look at that box of treasure from the Good Food folks! Love that they included booze in it! 🙂 Your soup looks very warming, and yes, the old QS tin does bring back lots of memories! xx
Quality Street always remind me of my childhood – the tin as much as the chocolates. I need you to come to my house and help me get my fridge in tip-top shape like yours :D. Thanks for the tour.
I’m really jealous of your tidy refrigerator. I’ve got 37 jars with just a little in each one I’m sure. I love salads in the summer and soup in the winter and I’m just about to sit down to potato cheddar soup.
Mel, your fridge looks so tidy and clean. I could never show a photo of the inside of mine.
Thank goodness for IMK posts – it’s the kickstart I need every month. I love the look of your pumpkin soup. Though we’re midsummer here, today is grey and wet and that soup would go down a treat. Just cleaned out my fridge today and now it looks incredibly empty.
What a wondeful tasty IMK instalment. I love the look of everything in your fridge.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Oh God wouldnt it be funny to compare Girl Guide badges. I have a whole lot too.
Love the soups and ste2ws in the cold it’s my favourite part of winter