Hello everyone, it’s been a time since I’ve shown this blog some love and already into the fifth month of this year…so much is happening across the globe right now. I do hope this post finds you and your loved ones well and like my family, I am sure most of you are home doing your part to help curb this pandemic, that sadly has affected so many.
So what have you been busy with while staying at home? Cooking has taken center stage for many and baking bread is on the rise…pun intended. I have missed the “In My Kitchen” posts for the last few months and our dear host Sherry ( from sherryspickings ) has kept the torch going for us, for which I am grateful.
Who doesn’t love a peek into other kitchens. You might discover enviable pottery, cooking utensils and gadgets. Possibly, note new ingredients you haven’t used before, new cookbooks or simply the post could be your next source of inspiration. Whatever your reason, it is fun to participate and I have included the link at the end of this post.
Lots of baking and cooking in my kitchen over these past months and I haven’t always had a camera at hand, but nevertheless managed a few photos.
In My Kitchen…
Sourdough croissants, my first attempt at making them using a sourdough starter and really pleased with the results. It wasn’t all plain sailing while making them and I certainly was a bit on the rusty side with the techniques, laminating the butter was a bit tricky… but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Once cooled from the oven, some were frozen to enjoy at a later stage.
Not wanting to figure out how much sourdough starter to use with a recipe, googled a few and this was my favorite choice, a sourdough croissant video on Youtube.
Pancakes, I bet you love them too. Dad was the best at making pancakes in our home and with four young children eagerly waiting, he could never turn them out fast enough. A simple squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of caster sugar was how we enjoyed them and still do to this day. Sometimes I make these espresso hotcakes which my grown-up kids also love.
I hope you noticed the gorgeous vintage sugar spoon, a special gift from a lovely couple who knew I would cherish it. And keeping the pancakes warm, an ovenproof-dish from Nom Living (UK)…. I do love my pottery and spoons.
Making bread is such a pleasure and I’ve noticed lately that it has increased in popularity, especially sourdough. I never tire of the joy each time a fresh loaf is pulled from the oven and love listening to the pop and crackle sounds as the bread cools. Nothing beats a fresh crusty loaf from the oven. Another favorite bread to make is Irish Soda Bread, much quicker as no yeast is involved.
My rustic attempt at making udon noodles for my monthly ingredient challenge over on Instagram, actually they were pretty easy to make and you didn’t need any special type of flour, all-purpose was fine.
Traditionally the dough is kneaded on the floor using your feet in a firm rhythmic motion, the dough sealed in a thick plastic bag beforehand. I preferred to knead the dough by hand and cut the noodles using the pasta machine. Cooked the noodles and then added them to a flavoursome Japanese broth.
Making use of some overripe bananas in the kitchen and baking a family favorite…. banana cake served on a pretty plate.
This was my first dish to make from a new cookbook, “Falastin” by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley. Warmed chickpeas gently simmered in a yoghurt and tahini sauce with a green chili dressing poured over to serve. Very tasty and you will love this dish if you are a hummus fan. So much more to try from this cookbook which celebrates Palestine cooking.
The plate holding the toasted pitta bread is pottery from Palestine, acquired at a local pop-up event. The small clay jug holding the tahini is from Roundstone, a lovely little town in Ireland and a reminder of the magical photography workshop I attended a few years back.
And finally… “flour” of a different kind brightening our stay at home office/kitchen worktop with a local (Bahrain), “Blossom Buddies” monthly flower subscription from Singapore Flowers. So pretty and a lovely idea.
The “In My Kitchen” monthly theme host is Sherry, from sherryspickings.blogspot.ie If you would like to know what’s cooking or see some kitchen treasures then head over to Sherry’s blog and check out the other IMK participants.
Food and Tools 
Lovely post and photos. I am impressed you are making croissants successfully, I am at the basics of a simple loaf. Stay safe.
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Thank you Liz, the croissants were a bit of a challenge but worth the effort. I love simple loaf recipes too, breadmaking is such a joy 🙂
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Your food photos are magnificent. I especially like the bundt cake showing just the center of the plate’s decoration.
be well… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
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Thank you Mae, I do love taking photos of food when time permits. And, I have a soft spot for bees 🙂
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I have sourdough envy right now. I am embarking on my first efforts, greatly impeded by the lack of bread or even all purpose flour. So, I am forced to use mostly whole wheat or sprouted wheat flour. So far I have had many more failures than successes. But, I am still trying. Gorgeous pictures by the way.
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Thank you Liz, hopefully you will find bread flour back on the shelves when things get back to some sort of normal. I’ve had my failures too with sourdough and it does take a bit of pratice to know how differently each flour works with a recipes. You will get there 🙂
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Croissants look amazing Moya.
I also only like pancakes with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of caster sugar which was the way my mother made them. The other pancakes we called Dropped scones.
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Hi Margaret, you can’t beat simple flavour combinations and the recipes we grew up with 🙂
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So many lovely meals you’ve been making! I use sourdough as well and today it’s going to be focaccia, but have not attempted croissants as yet. Awesome!
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Focaccia is a lovely to make too, so many are using sourdough starters which is lovely to see… definatley worth giving the croissants a go. 🙂
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MMm those croissants look yummy and would go well with my raspberry jam. Stay safe, Cristina
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Yes Cristina, perfect with raspberry jam 🙂
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Now I want sourdough starter more than ever. Wow, what beautiful photos you took and your breads look delectable. Nothing like homemade.
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Thank you Tina, yes nothing like homemade. I would urge you to try your own sourdough baking, it’s a real joy. But you do need to set aside some time and patience 🙂
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hi moya
thanks so much for joining in this month. great to have you taking part in IMK. looks like you have been busy cooking up a storm as have many of us, i think. it’s been so comforting to hunker down and just – cook. and eat of course. love your pretty ceramics too. I’ve been wondering if that falastin book is a good one. keep well. cheers Sherry x
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You are welcome Sherry, always a pleasure to join the IMK community 🙂 Yes I would imagine we are all cooking up a storm and food has definitely taken center stage. If you are a fan of middleastern ingredients then you might like the cookbook “Falastin”.
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Amazing baking!! You’ve inspired me to try making croissants again, I remember they were so much work but so worth it
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Your bread looks amazing! I need to make sourdough croissants. Stay safe 🙂
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Thank you Tandy…been baking lots of bread these days. Worth giving the sourdough croissants at try and having a few stashed in the freezer too 🙂
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I’ve got my sour dough started again so I’m collecting recipes. Thanks! I love all the breads coming out of your kitchen. I also covet that bee plate! Be well!
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Enjoy the sourdough journey. Giving my sourdough a little break for now 🙂
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Your bread looks scrumptious, Moya! Keep safe!
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