In My Kitchen - November 2015

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, October was the "most abnormally dry month  in records going back to 1910".  It was a month that sped by here with low energy, a hospital visit (not for me) and lots of other draining moments.  Though I continued blogging, I only posted 3 recipes.  Hopefully November will be a more productive month in the kitchen and on my blog.

Meanwhile, I have been returning to quite a few favourite recipes.  Above is another stab at potato and cheese pasties.  Sylvia requested them for a school event.  I had planned to buy her something from the freezer section of the supermarket but she would have none of that.  The pasties worked really well with pre-rolled puff pastry when shaped in square.  No pesky off-cuts.  Everyone was very happy with them

I have been fascinated at the explosion of interesting vegan and/or gluten free products in the supermarkets.  Here are a few.  (1) Kale and quinoa popcorn.  Sylvia was initially horrified at the idea until she realised it was salted pocorn with so subtle green flavouring. (2) Nudie coconut yoghurt.  Sadly just as rich and creamy as Coyo's yoghurt.  I am still seeking a vegan yoghurt that has more of a cultured tang.  (3) Condensed coconut milk.  Amazing find.  Short ingredients list.  Yet I am still to use it.  (4)  BBQ fava beans.  A nice variation on a favourite snack. 

We loved making lemonade with lemon juice, sugar and water.  On a whim I tried it with coconut sugar recently.  It was so brown that Sylvia has told me it is like coke.  (Better than "murky".)  I had to add some agave to achieve enough sweetness.  It is nice but has a bit more flavour than regular sugar.

I have a few baking goodies from the supermarket.  Muffin papers, fudge chunks and popping candy.  We have only used the muffin cups so far (for the ghost cupcakes).  I am planning on using the rest in some choc chip cookies.

I made frugal freezer stock recently.  I love having a freezer with lots of stock.  (I guess you might call it well stocked - ha ha!)  It always makes me enjoy making soup when I have a good home made stock.

I finally used up my puy lentils in a harrira soup from Isa Does It.  I love that cookbook and keep planning to write about it.  Don't the lentils look beautiful?

Finally some of the finer things in life (just think of the lack of focus as a sentimental patina).  Gifts of home made candles and home grown broad beans.  Plus a little luxury purchase of blood plum balsamic vinegar.  As Christmas approaches gifts are on my mind.  Doesn't it feel like we are heading for the festive season at some rate!  Before we know it, the end of the year will be upon us.

I am sending this post to Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for her In My Kitchen event.  Head over to join in (by 10th of each month) and/or check out what is happening in other bloggers' kitchens.