I’m simply not sure what keeps happening to the days these days. It seems every time I turn around another month (or middle of the month or end of the month) is upon us and it makes me twitch. As such it’s once again been a while between In My Kitchen posts but I’m here now so lets get going shall we?
As per usual this is a collection of things seen over on Instagram — reasonably edited, grouped in loosely interpreted categories and appearing no particular order.
The Day Job
Ok, I do know where some of the time has gone between mid-November and now, most of it was lost down the lens of a camera and the through the bottom of a skillet. I worked through most of the holiday months as a matter of necessity but RJ and I are heading off on another holiday come March so there’s a faint light at the end of the tunnel.
In rather exciting news however, I had my first Aussie magazine feature published a few months back in Nourish! A 5-recipe spread of summer skewers that I developed, styled and shot for the Jan/Feb issue. If you didn’t pick up a copy you can see one of my faves — Cuban Spiced Fish, Fennel & Mango Skewers — over on their site.
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A few of my favourite pumpkin recipes were also published in The Pumpkin Spice Handbook over in the US.
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Of course the daily grind usually looks more like the previous day’s recipe testing re-purposed over toast while working on that day’s task. Ahem.
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Holiday Shenanigans
The holiday season started with a relatively last minute, but simply perfect if I do say so myself, Thanksgiving feast (you can see more of the meal and the recipe for those Smoked Turkey Legs over here).
And said feast involved leftovers — as any good Thanksgiving dinner does — which meant pumpkin pie for breakfast with a side of stuffing and cranberry sauce on salad. Yes that is a spoon stuck to a board, because strange things happen in kilns. I’m treating it like a handle.
Those leftovers also made it onto porridge — specifically oats with pumpkin purée, cranberry sauce, coconut cream & pecans. Now that’s a fridge surprise win.
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Christmas celebrations started with a beach-side-bring-a-plate gathering with friends.
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And per usual my contribution to the family Christmas lunch involved cookies and more pumpkin pie.
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Pretty Little Things
I came across the sweetest little stationary goodies recently and they’re from a company with a pretty good story. The people behind Yoobi Australia donate a product to a child in need for every product bought — and this stuff is gorgeous at any age.
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Some ex-coworkers from way back recently launched Leafsmith & Kin and have created the most gorgeous succulent planters. Visit them over on Instagram to see where they’re popping up next.
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Ever since learning about cacao husk tea in Peru years ago I’ve made my own from the shells of cacao beans… now the gorgeous The Husk Mill girls, who I met at a lunch recently, are making cacao husk tisanes using husks from Australian-grown chocolate. Simply divine.
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Pretty, pretty spotty crowns from Pipla Studio made their way across the ocean to my gorgeous nieces for Christmas. Based on our Christmas FaceTime sessions it appears the inner metallic side is the winner, no doubt that will change on a daily basis though — 2 and 4 year olds are not known for consistency (haha).
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Huh, it seems buying the 17 yo nephew a metallic skull for Christmas is a guaranteed way to win the best aunt award.
In related news it’s meant to be a cookie jar, I don’t think he’ll be using it for cookies. In other, possibly related, news I totally want a metallic skull cookie jar but RJ said ‘no more things’, the grinch.
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It’s been a while since I’ve had a good opp shop stop. We’ll call this the Canberra edition. RJ was not impressed.
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Out and About
We were back from our September/October holiday for just over a month before we made it out to brunch. Who are we?! Our first visit to Harry’s Bondi was a win with a window seat shared hot cakes & fritters, and tea — always.
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Free time between appointments and events meant an amazing salad and matcha almond latte for lunch — how have I never been to Earth to Table Bondi before? In slightly related news I want everything on the menu (and in the dessert case, ahem).
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Ok, can we talk about these teff pancakes from Shuk Bondi? Seriously brilliant. Splitting aforementioned pancakes and a cured salmon/fritter/60-60 eggs/salad plate made for a perfect morning. In related news we may have a new fave Bondi cafe.
Creatures of habit. Another weekend and another shared brunch of teff pancakes w syrup on the side, and cured salmon/fritters/60-60 eggs at Shuk. Do you think they’ll notice if I take home with me for styling next time?
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RJ has been working some pretty screwy hours these past few months, the downside is that I have even less of an idea about what day it is, the upside is that we’re getting pretty good at this mid-week brunching gig.
Another new to us stop at Two Chaps Cafe in Marrickville and another bout of wondering how I didn’t know about this place before now?! I want to eat every single thing on the menu — but started with the Breakkie Bowl (very good decision btw). RJ insisted on his standard first cafe visit of poached eggs on toast with a side of mushrooms, makes me roll my eyes every time
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Three cheers for date night, cue unintentional pining for Italy… One guess as to who ordered what at Besser Italian (hint, the veggies were mine). Next time we’ll go early to get the risotto.
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It’s not easy being green – but it sure is delicious. Seriously good food at 80/20 Cafe in Canberra. It was one of the best breakkie bowls I’ve had in ages, really, and RJ’s pea and avo smash toast was spot on too.
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Before leaving Canberra one must have Mr Frugii. It’s a rule.
Salted caramel & chocolate for a new instalment of #rjholdingicecream, espresso & chocolate for the girl taking the photo. I may not drink coffee (contrary to the PR fail email I recently received…ahem) but I do love it in desserts.
Also, how long as that drive back to Sydney from Canberra?! Oh, and I now call Lake George ‘Fake George’.
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A beautiful lunch spent with an ever-inspiring group of women to kick off the year in style. Thanks to Beachside Dojo Manly and the ever-lovely Natalie for a gorgeous afternoon by the sea.
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Possibly my best fridge surprise creation for Lamington & beer at the beach day (aka Australia Day). Leftover angel food cake // mashed fresh raspberries & blackberries made into jam with a spoonful of chia seeds // coconut milk, cacao, maple syrup glaze. RJ said he didn’t want one, I made three, he ate one and a half.
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And finally, if I haven’t talked to you yet this year — bright, sparkly wishes, from our little corner of the universe to yours, for a happy and prosperous 2016.
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That’s All Folks
As always I’m linking up for IMK, this time with Maureen. Make sure to pop over to her site and check out the other IMK posts — there is always great stuff to be found.
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* Nothing here is sponsored. All opinions are fully my own and yes they are generally positive, because I don’t have the time or inclination to share stuff I don’t like. Supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus. Beam me up Scotty.
Every time I visit your blog I’m so impressed with your writing and photography. I find myself sinking into every photo to follow the story you create.
Your brunches are divine and I want to poke my fork in every dish. I wish we had more choice up here on the Sunshine Coast.
Thanks heaps for being part of In My Kitchen!
What Maureen said! You take the most beautiful photos JJ! That’s so exciting that you had some recipes published in Nourish. Well done!
Fun to catch up. Thanks.
wow this is a post and a half! such lovely photos and such a lot happening in your kitchen. i have never heard of cacao husk tea – is it chocolatey? congrats on having your articles published – very exciting. angel food cake? looks delish. love Mr Frugii. we will be in canberra very soon so we will def. head there.
I always love these epic posts JJ. So vibrant, bright, fun, happy and delicious. Congratulations on your magazine appearances. I haven’t heard of Nourish before, I will have to find it. I adore your Australia Day picnic and those cool aviators, placed just so x
As ever, your photos are drop-dead gorgeous. Your brunch tours are tasty prompts to get more creative with our own explorations, though I might miss the familiar neighborhood favorites.
That’s the second time in a few days that I’ve heard about Nourish… where do they sell? Congrats on getting published. That must feel great! 😉