I love February – not only because it’s my birthday month. For some reason I always feel the year starts in February. January tends to be a bit of a blur of Christmas recovery, the tennis and the cricket. And a lot of denial that work needs to get started again. Anyone else feel that way?
But February always feels full of promise. Maybe it’s because I always set goals around my birthday. This year is no exception to the goal setting. I just need to get started! No, seriously, I have a few. All along the lines of live life, love life, be happy and healthy. A few of the biggies include increasing my fitness, fitting into a few more items in my wardrobe and lowering my cholesterol.
But let’s get into my February kitchen…
… a few litres of chicken bone broth. I’ve been a fan of this for a while, and try to incorporate it into at least one meal every day. I shared how I make it a week or so ago.
In my kitchen…
… a few goodies from the cake stall when I voted last weekend. If you don’t live in Australia you may not know that we had a state election last weekend. Sorry, I can’t tell you yet who won, as votes are still being counted and it’s too close to call. I was very excited when I saw these pickled onions.
In my kitchen…
… baked goods. Lots of baked goods. I made this sensational blueberry frangipane pie to take to a BBQ at my brother’s place. It’s always a good sign when there are very few leftovers! I’ve been making a variation of this pie for many years, thanks to a Women’s Weekly cookbook I bought at least 12 years ago. I’ve been baking blueberry muffins too. So quick and simple!
I also made a rye soda bread – I don’t eat, and therefore make, much bread, but this really caught my eye. I blogged the recipe if you want to give it a go too.
My favourite item in my kitchen this month…
… is this old Almond Roca tin that I kept after cleaning out mum’s kitchen a few years ago. Almond Roca has been a family favourite sweet treat for as long as I can remember. Before it was available to buy in Australia, friends going to Canada or the US were always asked to bring some back for us. The handwritten note on the tin is mum’s, and she – and now I – keep cupcake papers in it. I know it also says junket, but there was none of that. Thank goodness! I love how my kitchen has so many little reminders of mum.
So, that’s what is in my kitchen for this month. Do you also have any treasures from your mum? Or other family member?
If you want to see what’s in a few other kitchens, then read the monthly roundup, hosted by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
Jane says
I have a green enamel stockpot in which I capture the water I use to wash the veggies, the coffee grounds etc. this water (and grounds) is then used on the garden. Something my Mum used to do when we were living through endless years of drought and wanting to keep at least some of the garden alive.
I have some Tupperware and cake tins of my Mum’s.
And this is not something from home, but after my grandmother died I used some of my legacy from her to buy my commercial KitchenAid mixer. She taught me to bake, and so I think of her every time I look at it or use it.
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas says
There is nothing quite like your own bone stock is there? Your finds from the cake stall are great. There are not nearly enough cake stalls these days. I do like a good soda bread and I love the little reminder of your mother.
Jhul says
Oh, those jars of chicken stock is really something. So you mean, you use only the bones? I wanted to try making my own chicken stock, but I still don’t have that much of ideas what to make with the chicken meat after making the broth. Thank you for sharing an IMK post – I love seeing people’s collections and updates on their kitchen. 😀
Mel Kettle says
Loads of uses for the chicken meat – sandwiches, in a salad, in a pasta sauce, burritos, tacos, pizza…
sherry from sherrys pickings says
love all your baking. i only just heard of bone broth yesterday when fiona from tiffin bite sized mentioned it. so funny! it looks delish!
Jan (A gluttonous wife) says
What a lovely reminder of your mum 🙂 I have lots of reminders of my nana’s but I’m lucky they are still alive but have passed some treasures on to me already.
Like the look of all of your baking, the rye soda bread might get a run very soon!
Cheers, Jan x
celia says
I’m sure you noticed the mountain of Almond Roca at Costco when you visited.. 😉
Intrigued by your bone broth – they remind me of the Brand’s Chicken Essence my mother used to make us drink when we were young. She bought them at Asian grocers, and each little jar was supposed to have the goodness of three chickens or something. And how good does that blueberry pie look! Great job! 🙂
Kim | a little lunch says
Mel, I love old tins (and the implied ‘history’ within them), not to mention how well they keep things — even cupcake papers. 🙂 Yours (with your Mum’s handwritten label) is a true treasure! Thanks for the link to your chicken bone broth recipe, too. Poached eggs in chicken bone broth? I’ll definitely be trying that!