We have had a slew of public holidays in April 2017. The first was the Easter long weekend. This was followed by Freedom Day on the 27th. The 26th is my Dad’s birthday and it must be quite nice knowing that the day after a celebration you get time off to recover. Monday was May Day and yesterday we arrived back at work. This post has been scheduled in advance so hopefully everything ran smoothly while we were away.
Severin Sous Vide Cooker
Dave has wanted a sous vide cooker for quite some time and so I decided to spoil him a bit and bought one. I am making very good use of it and will blog more about sous vide in a separate blog post.
Severin Vacuum Sealer
I had the choice of buying the sous vide with our without the vacuum sealer. I chose to go with the combination option and I regret my choice. The Severin vacuum sealer needs special embossed bags. At R7 a pop this could make using the sous vide cooker quite expensive. I have worked around this issue with thanks to some experimentation and recommendations. I have cheap vacuum sealer bags and place a strip of the embossed material across the food and leave it sticking out the bag. This is then vacuum sealed.
The Cookie Jar
Together with my copy of The Cookie Jar was a biscuit. Dave was feeling peckish and so I took the photograph and set the book aside to review. This took somewhat longer than I expected.
April 2017 #FOMO Box and Gift Basket
The April 2017 #FOMO box had a few goodies which will be well used in my kitchen. I am looking forward to trying the Goan fish curry as well as the Hope handcrafted salt river gin. The Turkish delight and guava & orange jam will be set aside for when my parents come to visit. The gift basket was given to a friend of ours while he was in hospital. The deal for bringing all the treats back to his house was that I got the basket. It looks really good on my dining room table and will be used for fruit.
Baking Tray
I am getting new baking trays and tins as I need them for the new kitchen. Last month I bought the Paul Hollywood endorsed baking tray. It has seen a lot of use already with a batch of scones in preparation for scone week in August and loaves of sourdough bread.
Mango Chutney
I have to confess I am all chutneyed out! Friends this year be warned, you will be getting foodie gifts for your birthdays. This mango chutney was a gift after Dave and I went to the annual Waterkloof member’s event.
This month sees a new host for #IMK. I am linking up with Sherry and wish her the best of luck with this series.
Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime May 3:
- 2015 – Little Lies
- 2013 – In My Kitchen May 2013
Can’t wait to hear what you think about your sous vide Tandy, really looks like a great method for cooking meats. Lovely basket too!
The sous vide is amazing Cheri 🙂
Lots of good things in your kitchen, as always. The Paul Hollywood baking tray looks like a cracker. Was it $$$?
It cost the equivalent of $30 (AUS). Not sure if that is pricey or not there, but I thought it was worth the expense.
Wow! What a month in the kitchen! Love all your new stuff. I’m not sure I’d ever use sous vide so I’m anxious to hear how you like it!
I love it Abbe, and use it quite a lot.
wow i am in awe of you Tandy for buying and using a sous vide! it just looks too scary for me. i am a bit averse to big cooking implements like that. just ‘cos i’m a scaredy cat i think..:) thanks for joining in this month. looks like you had lots of goodies in your kitchen. see you next month. cheers!
I am posting more about the sous vide next week so please pop back in and see if your feelings change 🙂
Great month in the kitchen – very impressed with you sous vide cooker. Was thinking about investing in one as well so I am very much looking forward to reading more about it on your blog! Have a nice weekend, Tandy!
It is worth the investment in my opinion Miriam 🙂
That mango chutney looks the business! I have been experimenting with chutneys lately, when I find a cheap fruit, I turn it into chutney. 🙂
Sure looks like your kitchen has some pretty fantastic things goin on!
It is a great way of preserving Anna 🙂
You can’t keep a good gin down but it’s so important to have good tonic so let’s hope the ones in the #FOMO box are decent. As to chutney or jam overload, I know how you feel. Then, when you want to make your own, you don’t as you have so many from others who have also been making or buying. I really like that basket/tray BTW.
I’m back from a break from blogging and reading blogs so enjoyed reading your post.
I buy a good sugar free tonic from our local store, but it is not quite warm enough for G&T’s right now 🙂
Tandy, you made me smile! What big appliances you’ve added to your kitchen – how did you fit them all in? I’m so glad you’re enjoying the sous vide machine though – it sounds like great fun! I wanted you to know that the little note that you sent me with your lovely gift is sticky-magnetted to my fridge and I think of you whenever I see it! xxx
Celia, my new kitchen is HUGE! I have to stop buying things or Dave will go mad 🙂
Tandy, your Sous Vide cooker intrigued me. I’ve seen them and/or that technique oft employed on cooking shows and was curious. Thanks for your “from experience” revelations on bags, sealing, etc. — LOVE my IMK cohorts and the info you so freely share. The better to cook with, my dear, xo! Your new baking tray looks similar to one o’ my favorites. . a Wilton ‘non-stick’ 16×12 (inch) with “handles” that frequently serves up my en papillote creations, garlic toast, etc. Last week I used it to transport a casserole on the floor of my car to a ladies’ luncheon without “spilling.” Gotta love multi-purpose gadgets! 🙂
FYI, I can never get enough of chutney. Blame it on my fascination for all things English, and/or PBS re-runs, lol! I hear ya on “re-gifting” though. Sometimes good things (or the glut) must be passed on. XO. Lucky recipients, and God bless you for sharing your bounty!
I like the idea of using a baking tray to transport goodies. Never thought of that before 🙂
A sous vide machine! Amazing! Looking forward to the great dishes you cook up using it Tandy. That Goan curry paste sounds fantastic – I love a good curry, I’m a bit of a curry lover 🙂 xx
https://missfoodfairy.com/2017/05/07/in-my-kitchen-may-2017/
Me too, but only if they are mild 🙂
Wow, a sous vide! Have fun playing around with that new kitchen toy. What a lovely looking chutney, though I can understand how you could have too many. At least somebody else can benefit from your supply now. Thanks for the reminder about International Scone Week, I’ll have to start thinking about recipe testing soon.
I look forward to your contribution Gretchen 🙂