It’s that time of year and I’ve been back in glorious Goa! No better place to bring you this month’s installment of In My Kitchen. However I’m very late this month and am writing this post in Mumbai International Airport, waiting on my second of three flights today!
In My Kitchen…
… Sits Grandad’s amazing knife! I think he used to sharpen it by hand on a stone because it’s a strange shape. The handle is round and wooden, making it very comfortable to hold. I remember sitting at the kitchen table cutting delicious fruit with him.
In My Kitchen…
… Lies this small ceramic mortar and pestle. Once again, both the dish and wooden handle must be ancient! I’m sure that over the years, all sorts of spice blends have been pounded in this.
In My Kitchen…
… Sits my Grandad’s favourite tea set. For a woman who loves her tea, I found these little cups frickin’ tiny! I love boiling the water in the pan on the stove, adding loose leaf tea and then letting it brew. It’s a wonderful ritual. When Grandad had got down to the last drop of tea in his cup, he’d throw it into the saucer, swirl it a bit and drink it out of that!
In My Kitchen…
… Stands this amazing bronze motar and pestle. It’s small but extremely heavy. This must be old, I’ve no idea how old…. I wish I’d asked him…
In My Kitchen…
… Will be all these delicious goodies! Dad and I found a great shop a few years ago that we always pop back to. I’m bringing cinnamon sticks, cardamom, star anaise, fennel seeds (and the sweet coated kind) cashew nuts and dried fruit home to The Glen House.
In My Kitchen…
… Will be some interesting new additions to the liqor cupboard. I promise I only went to the shop to bring a bottle of local coconut Feni home. It’s the most famous and popular drinks that Goa. Also known as the Fenny, this Indian liquor is of two types – Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni. While cashew Feni is made by fermenting the fruit of the Cashew tree, coconut Feni is made from the juice of toddy plants. The Goan Fenny is usually considered to be superior compared to all other types of Fenny.
Er, while I was in the shop I saw some strange flavours of vodak that i’d never seen before! Who knew Smirnoff did chilli or honey flavoured vodak? Dr Doolittle will think I’ve lost the plot when I arrive home with these!
The In My Kitchen series is all thanks to Celia over at Fig jam and Lime cordial, stop by this month and you can see all the delightful goodies she has.
Right, I’m off home… Two flights left!
Melissa xx
Love it all!!!! I hope you are home safe and sound xx
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Safe travels! Make sure that fenny arrives safe..
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Ahhh, lovely antiques from the kitchen in Goa, to yours now @ The Glen House. Will they let you bring all those spices across? Feni, ahhhhhh, lovely! So strong though right? I did a guest blog this week for another fellow Goan I met on here. When you get home, take a look at the rechado fish cutlets :). Safe flight back!
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I want to go back!
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Such lovely treasures, Melissa, all with so much history. Those spices, I can practically smell from here! Safe flight xx
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What a fun post. Looks like you did well in Goa, especially finding all those goodies to bring home. I am amazed at all the different vodka flavors now, every time I look it seems like there are 10 new choices!
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Happy 2015 Melissa, I’m loving your bronze motar and pestle, it’s amazing. I would love to have something as amazing as that in my kitchen – you’re very lucky 🙂 There’s nothing like finding a store that has amazing produce and good service. Thanks for sharing your goodies this month, see you next month for IMK
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Lovely treasure from the past and also tasty Goan spices. Such an exotic post.
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I was just catching up on a Rick Stein show and he was in Goa drinking toddy. I’m sure fenny must be similar and I bet it’s lethal! I spy candy coated fennel seeds in your haul. I love them – a fave. Thanks for the holiday tour. Cheers Fiona
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Hey Fiona! The fenny is really lethal, but seems easier to take with some fruit juice!
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fun to see–how lovely to be visiting. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much for letting me into your kitchen – and into ….your heart. So beautiful to see all that you treasure there! Big warm hug!x
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Wonderful that you got to spend time in your Goan kitchen. Hope you are now safe at home with all that booty!
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Welcome home! I look forward to a post using all those wonderful spices.
Do you drink the Fenny straight, or ice, or mix it? I’ve never heard of it before.
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It’s like paint stripper! So mix mix mix with plenty of fruit juice!
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What an interesting knife!! It looks like it has a squillion stories to tell – I love how the point has been completely rounded off. And how interesting are the old mortars and pestles, and that tiny tea set! Thank you for sharing such vintage treasures with us! 🙂
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what lovely old treasures you have in your kitchen. that coconut fenny looks interesting- i have not heard of it before. oh dear all those flights!
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I bet that knife could tell some stories! You can see how much it has been worn down over time. Lovely how ‘stuff’ can put you right back to be with someone or somewhere. That might me why I collect so much! Never heard of Fenny, sounds like we could use it in our renovations as well as drink it! 🙂
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Ahhhh haaa wooooow tempting Feni & hope u enjoyed da fullest dear Melissa ❤
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i’ve got that bronze mortar and pestle at my kitchen too .and i absolutely love this sturdy hunk who pounds even the hardest spice ! i hope you are safe at home by now.about the fenny , i’ve heard a lot , i dont drink, so never tasted any 🙂
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