Could it really be June already? Tell me it isn’t! Thankfully winter in our little corner of south-east Queensland is glorious, and it’s a perfect time to be checking out some of the weekend markets. We love browsing around the Redcliffe market, not just because of its seaside location but because it is literally just a short stroll up the road from our home. We bought these deliciously sweet longans at the market, and I think they look beautiful in the olive wood bowl we bought at the Dijon market when we were in France last year.
In my kitchen this month is a lovely little glazed earthenware plate given to my partner, Maurie, when he was in South Australia for the launch of the Epicurean Way, a food and wine touring route taking in four iconic regions: McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Keep an eye out for his upcoming post, and pencil next year’s Tasting Australia event in your diary now.
This beautiful bunch of flowers is not in my kitchen but I have to show them because they are very special to me. I haven’t posted as regularly as I would have liked to this year as my son was in a serious accident, necessitating numerous trips to Canberra to be with him over the past few months. It’s been a torrid time but as with all major life events, it forces you to focus on what’s important. Sitting at my boy’s bedside in hospital on Mother’s Day was one of those occasions for reflection and gratitude, and the bunch of flowers and box of chocolates he gave me were the sweetest gifts.
A delicious array of products have landed in my kitchen, including two bottles of Sweet Balsamic Reduction from Jomeis Fine Foods, an organic product that is sweetened with coconut sugar. There’s also a bottle of Buderim Ginger and Fonzie Abbott coffee beans, from one of the Brisbane coffee roasters we visited on an excellent tour organised by Beanbrewding.
These cute macarons that look like tomatoes and a chocolate log that looks like salami greeted us when we checked into Jupiters Hotel & Casino on the Gold Coast recently. The name on the board, Cucina Vivo, refers to the hotel’s new Italian restaurant, which offers some of the best Italian food I’ve had in a long time. Next to the board was a card that said “Something sweet to eat and a little gift to keep. We hope you enjoy your Cucina Vivo Dolce and please remember to take home your new wooden board.” I did and I love it. Look out for the board in lots of upcoming food photos!
Finally, this amazing tasting pack was sent to me by the very kind people at Schild Estate in the Barossa Valley. They’ve just produced a very special wine called Pramie which tasted amazing with the Barossa Valley Triple Cream Cheese – definitely a match made in heaven.
Thanks to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting In My Kitchen each month – go to her blog and take a peek into many other lovely kitchens.
More In My Kitchen posts.
What a gorgeous selection you have in your kitchen. I love the olive wood bowl – did you have any trouble getting it past AQIS when you came home?
None at all, Amanda.
Yes, I agree with Amanda… a lovely collection of goodies in your kitchen, Christine. The olive wood bowl is quite handsome! As is the fruit inside it.
Lots of lovely things in the kitchen this month! I love the look of the chocolate salami!
I’m a bit of a purist at heart when it comes to coconut water and I haven’t tried any of the flavoured ones yet… although am sorely tempted when I realised there is a coffee flavoured one…
The chocolate salami is fantastic, isn’t it, Lisa. We’ve been enjoying all the different coconut waters but I have to say I prefer the plain one too.
I love what’s in your kitchen this month, Christine! You get the best stuff ever!
Thank you, Maureen 🙂
What a fantastic collection of goodies. Hope you check out my IMK too. Emma.
Christine, my internet signal has been in and out, so apologies for not commenting until now. What a time you’ve had with your son’s accident, and what a lovely bouquet he gave you (chocolates, too.) Sweet indeed! You’re right, it’s times like that that realign your priorities. I hope he’s doing better and recovering fully, and that you’re getting some rest in between. I loved the “T.L.C.” you received at that hotel — you deserved it! The rest of your IMK goodies are wonderful, too!
Thank you, Kim, for your very kind words. Ben is doing well now, thank you, and yes, I feel very blessed. 🙂
Olive wood is such a beautiful medium. Looks great!
Hon, you have had a rough time, I’m so glad Ben is on the mend. How sweet of him to have a gift for you for Mother’s Day! I love your terracotta plate, and that sourdough looks superb. And do you have a link for the Fonzie Abbott coffee beans please? I have a friend who buy that for the name alone! 🙂
The olive wood bowl is gorgeous! What lovely flowers as well an extra special Mother’s Day I’m sure.
What a wonderful IMK this month…. Sorry to hear about your son, but what a wonderful man he must be to think of you even when he is sick… The casino Italian restaurant is on my list… And I think it might move a bit closer to the top now 🙂 thanks for sharing! Liz xx
What a lovely peak into your kitchen, LOVE that bowl!!!
Love the ginger beer, i really miss the stuff! I make chocolate salami too, really tasty. Great to see it included in this month’s IMK 🙂