In My Baking Kitchen

This month I’m sharing my baking and sugar craft kitchen! I can’t explain just how proud I am of the pieces in this month’s post. I always thought that I was heavy handed and impatient, but I’ve proved myself wrong!

In My Kitchen…

…Sits my new friend Bertie, who is made of modelling and sugar paste. He sits on a chocolate biscuit cake that I decorated. I attended a sugar craft course at Baking Academy Ireland and was taught amazing skills by a brilliant teacher.

In My Kitchen…

…Lives a caterpillar, bee and some butterflies! This fruit cake is covered in almond paste and icing. I was so nervous placing and then glueing my name down onto the cake.

In My Kitchen…

…Sits this flower paste rose spray! I thought it looked a bit old fashion, but the more I look at it, the more I love it! It was painstakingly made so i’ll be keeping it forever.

In My Kitchen…

…Lives the Easter bunny! I made this Easter cake at The Cooks Academy in Dublin. The chocolate madera cake was covered in chocolate butter icing before being iced.

In My Kitchen…

…Lies new sugarcraft cutters! I’m now the proud owner of butterfly, flower and leaf cutters.

In My Kitchen…

…Sits a couple of modelling tools to help me with my sugarcraft ventures!

In My Kitchen…

…Are these beautiful Easter flowers from Dr Doolittle (instead of a chocolate egg). Underneath lies a small plate of pear tarts with homemade pear and ginger jam.

Celia from figjamandlimecordial.com shares all the brilliant In My Kitchen posts from around the world, pop over and take a look.

Melissa xx

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In My Kitchen

It’s March, it’s meant be be spring, but in Ireland this week we’ve had rain, hail and snow! So as I drink my hot cuppa I bring you this month’s instalment of In My Kitchen, the wonderful blogger series run by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.

In My Kitchen…

… Hangs the gorgeous old fashion tea towel that Dr Doolittle bought me and has now framed.

framed tea towel

In My Kitchen…

… Sits a magnificent French inspired cake stand, that was given to me by a dear friend. I came across the matching jug, and had to buy it! I can’t wait to adorn the stand with a classic tea time treat.

cake stand and jug

In My Kitchen…

… Stands this fabulous brown and cream plate. I love the pattern! The cup cakes are the Forrero Rocher ones that I’ve made before.

beautiful plate

In My Kitchen…

… Sits these cute dishes, perfect for all sorts of goodies!

cute dishes

In My Kitchen…

… There are new additions to my cinnamon pantry. I met the producers of these local products at the weekend at a local food and craft fair. I bought Dunany spelt and Rye flour and something I’d never heard of before Spelt berries. I’m sure someone reading this will have a great recipe for me???? I tasted them at the fair mixed with garlic and salad and they were delicious. I made some rye bread yesterday and it turned out really well.

I also bought some Lannléire Honey which I tasted for the first time at The Boyne Valley Boyne Appetite dinner and Cecilie’s handmade Irish truffles which went down very well with a glass of red wine (as suggested).

local produce

fresh rye bread

In My Kitchen…

… Sits my gorgeous tagine which is a constant reminder of the wonderful trip to Morocco that we took last year. Dr Doolittle has got really good at making lamb tagines, however this one was special…. It was the first time that he had used Elaine from Foodbod’s Ras El Hanout spice blend. It was yummy!!!

tagine

lamb tagine

Melissa xx

P.S. What are your thoughts on my new header???

In My Kitchen

Firstly,  sorry.

I’ve been noticeably absent from blogging life for the past month, I just can’t seem to get myself together. There is so much change going on in the real world, that freeing up my head space to write and bake has been so difficult.

That will change.

Life IS changing and now I’m excited. The stress and the pressure is nearly over and my life is starting a new chapter. What better way to share it with you, then sharing what’s In My Kitchen this month.

In My Kitchen…

… Are four bottles of Irish cold pressed virgin Rapeseed oil. Donegal Rapeseed Oil “reflects the charactor and nature of the carefully selected growers and the land that they and their ancestors have farmed for generations”.

This beautiful gift contains Rapeseed oil with Lemon, Rapeseed oil with Garlic, Rapeseed oil with Chilli and a Honey and Mustard dressing. These are going to be heavily used in The Glen House!

In My Kitchen…

… Is this delightful traditional mixing bowl and teatowel that Dr Doolittle found in Sainsburys. The teatowel is too pretty to use, so I might frame it and hang it in the kitchen!

In My Kitchen…

… Are these gorgeous ceramic dishes from TK Maxx. Elaine from the Foodbod blog has dishes from the same range, so it’s great to see what she puts in her’s.

In My Kitchen…

… Is this cool stove top kettle, yet another Christmas present from Dr Doolittle. It looks fantastic on the range cooker.

In My Kitchen…

… Is a gift of wonderful local Irish produce. A big thank you to Pauline Clarke from Kookee for sending me such a fantastic selection of artisan cookie mixs; Oatmeal and Raisin, Gluten free Oatmeal and Chocolate, Spotaì Chocolate Chip, Gluten free Double Chocolate, Gluten free Coconut and Cranberry and Triple Chocolate Chip. I can’t wait to start baking them this week!

In My Kitchen…

… Sits a stunning set of cast cookware! Dr Doolittle bought me a wonderful selection of pots, pans, casserole dishes and ramikin pots for Christmas. They are so beautiful and sooooooo heavy!

In My Kitchen…

… Is a new cook book! The Irish Country Womens Association cookbook is just lovely. It’s full of what I would deem, traditional ‘old school’ recipes. I really must sign up and become a member!

This brilliant blogging series is brought to you by Celia from Fig jam and Lime cordial.

Melissa xx

In My Kitchen

‘In My Kitchen’ has an Irish feel this month. This amazing country that I live in, has a wonderful array of food producers and crafts!

In My Kitchen…

… Stands this beautiful Tara tea set. This Irish made birthday present includes a teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl and six teacups.

In My Kitchen…

… Are bottles of delicious oils, made around the corner from The Glen House. Newgrange Gold Rapeseed and Camelina Oil is grown and produced on a farm in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath. The oil is a delicious “culinary oil with an amazing fruity taste, which is great as an incredibly healthy cooking oil, salad dressing, for frying and other culinary uses such as making home-made mayonnaise and baking”.

In My Kitchen…

… Is a jar of Fig and Apricot chutney from McCambridges of Galway. This gorgeous, tasty chutney had been a staple in The Glen House since we moved in. It is great with all sorts and meats, hot and cold as well as cheese and crackers!

If you ever find yourself in Galway city, you MUST visit this amazing deli/cafe/shop. They make yummy brunch as well as stocking great foodie goodies!

In My Kitchen…

… Are two new jars of goodness! The mango and apple chutney and red onion marmalade came from Foxford Woollen Mills in county Mayo. The mill is famous for blankets and scarfs, but we left after a recent visit with these delights. The marmalade is sharp with sour notes and the chutney is slightly spicy and sweet.

In My Kitchen…

… Sits a little handmade wooden honey dipper.

In My Kitchen…

… Are these fantastic jam accessories. Dr Doolittle has been busy making jams and jellies, so we picked up these cute owl jar accessories from Kilner at Market 57 in Westport in county Mayo. Dr Doolittle recently made crab apple & elderberry jelly….

In My Kitchen is a brilliant food series that bloggers from all over the world join in and write about, brought to us by the wonderful Celia from Fig jam and Lime cordial.

See you next month!

Melissa xx