There are a few new things in my kitchen this month, and some of them are even edible! First of all, I love pale turquoise, duck egg blue, pale blue, whatever you call it. It looks nice with the red backsplash in my kitchen, but I have loved it long before the red came to the kitchen. Recently, Target has added these simple pieces of turquoise crockery to their shelves. Except for a few serving dishes, I am still using the same, plain, white, inexpensive dishes my Mum bought me 38 years ago, when I moved into my first apartment–on the other side of the world! So I have treated myself to a few new pieces, and to be honest, my heart leaps just a little with happiness every time I use one of these! Their simplicity and colour appeals to my aesthetic. And at $3, $5 and $7 a bowl, the bank account is happy too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, further investigation reveals, turquoise has been a consistent choice for me for years. I have this mini-dish collection that I use all the time for tea bags, chocolates, spices, sauces or storing half lemons cut side down when I am likely to use them again soon. I have decided, in fact, that I will only collect pale blue or turquoise ones to add in future… that will slow down the acquisitions!!

 

 

 

The edibles that have found their way into my kitchen this month started with this delicious Australian made Champagne Vinegar, made by the same company who makes the equally delicious Merlot vinegar. The names on them are different, presumably for marketing purposes. I bought the Merlot in a winery in South Australia, and the Champagne in the vinegar section at Coles supermarket, but the company tells us they are both their products! I recommend both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a huge fan of Mayver’s Australian made nut and seed butters and these two jars also found their way into my trolley at Coles!! The cacao one is unsweetened and just a little bitter for my taste but add a few drops of Stevia and it is wonderful as a spread or topping. The coconut one is perfect–also is unsweetened. (the 90% Lindt is used in lieu of 100% unsweetened chocolate which is impossible to get here in Alice at the moment)

The standout purchase of the year, though, has to be this pepper mill. It was $46 AUS but compared to custom made wooden mills, that is cheap. The features we most appreciate with this one are: you can see how many peppercorns are remaining; there is a ring around the middle with which you select the coarseness of the grind you prefer; and finally, it has a small plate that automatically slides across the bottom when you finish grinding that keeps pepper from littering whatever surface it rests upon. Brilliant.

 

 

 

My favourite recipe of the month is this simple Zucchini Bake. It is delicious as an accompaniment or as breakfast, and delicious left over as well.

 

Zucchini Bake

 

 

Makes 4-8 servings

45 minutes to make and bake

(hint: make the night before if you want to bake it for breakfast)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups sliced zucchini
• 2 whole large eggs
• 1/2 cup egg whites (3-4 egg whites)
• 3 oz sharp cheddar, grated
• 1 oz mozzarella
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder (or omit all together)
• ½ tsp fresh rosemary
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp fresh chives
• 1 tsp salt & a few cracks of black pepper

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 425
• Thinly slice zucchini and layer in an 8” square pan
• Beat together eggs, egg whites, salt & herbs
• Spread the cheese in an even layer then pour eggs over everything.
• Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and let cook until cheese is browned and bubbly

Have a delicious month!

~Ardys 

Please check out the other IMK posts at figjamandlimecordial.com  Thank you to Celia for hosting this monthly tour through kitchens around the world! Pop on over there and see what other interesting things are happening.