Happy 2015! I have such clear memories of being 25 (way back in 1995) and thinking wow, only five years until the year 2000. The thought of time beyond that hadn’t actually occurred to me.
It has been a quiet and lazy start to 2015 for me. I am still technically on holidays (but back to work on Monday) and have been spending a lot of time lazing on the couch with a book in hand, a cup of tea on the coffee table, and the TV with the cricket on.
Monday is going to be a shock!
In my January kitchen is…
… a table full of locally produced food. I had my first visit of the year to the farmers markets this morning, and it was beautiful. Our closest Saturday markets have just announced they will now be weekly, which is great news as they are near the river where I like to walk. One of my 2015 goals is an increase in fitness, which includes walking 10,000 steps a day. Given my very sedentary lifestyle, this means I need to go for at least a one hour walk most days to even get close to it.
I didn’t need a lot from the markets as I still have quite a few veggies and two thirds of a box of mangoes I bought last weekend at a veggie stall at Tiaro, on our way home from visiting my in-laws in Maryborough. The bread is Levain olive and rosemary sourdough, one of my favourites, and the hot smoked salmon is an extravagance I decided I needed. It’s nearly all eaten. I’m going to stuff the little peppers and bake them – not sure how, so please give me any suggestions!
In my January kitchen…
… are a pile of cookbooks. Some new and some I have had for ages and want to use more. My beloved and I always give each other a couple of books for Christmas, and this year I received Prune and a book on fermented foods. Both are slowly being read cover to cover, and I’m getting a lot of ideas for meals over coming weeks.
The second pile of books are a few I grabbed recently to do a bit of meal planning. Another of my goals for 2015 is to make at least 50% of my meals vegetarian. It’s far too easy to eat meat at every meal. Hello bacon. mmmm.
In my kitchen…
… was a large amount of goodness kindly given to me by Dello Mano*. I met Deb a little over four years ago and I have loved her and her brownies ever since. Dello Mano is a real Brisbane food success story, that has come about from Deb and Bien’s sheer determination, passion and generosity. And a massive amount of hard work. I’m sure they gave away many more brownies than they sold in those early days – but as Deb said to me, how will people know how amazing our brownies are if they don’t get a chance to try them? I’m sure it’s this attitude of generosity that has contributed so enormously to their success. These brownies are their special Christmas pudding brownies, they only form of Christmas pudding I love. And only available at Christmas.
In my kitchen…
… were many, many spiced nuts. Growing up we always had nuts at Christmas – usually in their shell – but I like this version. I’ve made a couple of trays and they are great to share when people pop in, or to give as gifts, or to have as a healthier snack.
So, that’s my kitchen for this month. What’s in yours?? Any newly acquired goodies?
If you want to see what’s in a few other kitchens, then read the monthly roundup, hosted by Celia’s from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
* 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.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
We’re eating more nuts and eating healthier food in 2015 and getting more exercise and eating off smaller plates. A little bit of everything should make a big difference.
I love everything in your kitchen this month.
Amanda (@lambsearshoney) says
I firmly believe there is no such thing as too many cookbooks – your selection looks fantastic. And I love those lovely nuts!
Selma | Selma's Table says
Love the sound of those Christmas pudding brownies and I love her ethos too. I like your resolution to eat less meat – I could certainly do with cutting back but with the hungry teenager it’s not always possible! Hope it’s not too late to give you a recipe for those red peppers? Halve, scrape out the seeds, smear in pesto, fill with halved cherry tomatoes, dot with feta cheese, drizzle with oil and roast in a hot oven (I do have the recipe on my blog but that it it in a nutshell)! I’ve been having a love-in with sourdough which is pretty much all that has been going on in my kitchen!!
@ChristineSalins says
Lovely things in your kitchen Mel, I particularly love the sound of those amazing brownies!
Miss Food Fairy says
Happy 2015 Mel, I’m a cookbookaholic too! I hear that the River Cottage cookbook is awesome! Looking forward to some great inspiration from you via these cookbooks 😉
Gretchen says
It all looks so lovely, especially all the fresh local produce. The brownies sound wicked delicious, always fun to hear about a food success story too. Good luck with the new healthy eating and walking. I got a new cookbook with all bean recipes so we will hopefully cut down on meat consumption as well. Happy New Year!
Francesca says
Love all those inspirational new cookbooks.
sherry from sherrys pickings says
hi Mel
i love dello mano brownies too. well who wouldn’t? so delish:) we always have nuts at xmas too and they have to be in the shell sitting in a bowl with a nutcracker. it is only at xmas i do this; otherwise i buy shelled nuts.
hope work wasn’t too horrendous today.
cheers
sherry x
Tania @My Kitchen Stories says
Christmas pudding brownies? What? I much prefer the tradition of nuts minus shells. Hope you are surviving work
Liz says
I look forward to seeing posts inspired by your new cookbooks. Prune has been on my wish list as well although I haven’t broken down and ordered it yet. I’ve been trying to buy more e-books as our bookcase is overflowing. They aren’t the same though.
Happy New Year!
Mel Kettle says
I need to start using them Liz!
celia says
Snap! We made spiced nuts too last Christmas – I packaged them up straight away or I tend to eat them all! And you’ll love that River Cottage veg book, it’s a winner. Beautiful bright reds and yellows in your produce pic! 🙂
Mel Kettle says
I love spiced nuts. Need to make them more often throughout the year.
Jason says
Hi Mel, great selection on books this month. I love January for the post Christmas present cook book reading.
Good luck with the 50% veg target, bloody bacon!!
cheers
Jason
Mel Kettle says
Thanks Jason!
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas says
It is never a good Christmas without a cookbook in my opinion 😉 The Veg Book is fantastic, some great recipes in there. I quite understand your insistence on the hot smoked salmon. Look at it this way. It’s good for you!