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Can it really be November already? After a year in which our feet have barely touched the ground, we’re looking forward to a few months at home and so we’ve begun stocking the pantry with lots of goodies in expectation of preparing beautiful meals in our new kitchen. The balcony is already getting a workout with long lunches overlooking the water, and we’re enjoying happy days around the table with family and friends. I think it’s going to be a busy festive season ahead!
These little beauties from Haigh’s Chocolates landed on our doorstep recently, along with a note to say that Haigh’s (one of my favourite Australian companies) has just launched its online store. These are aprichocs – little bits of dried apricot covered in chocolate – and we scoffed them pretty quickly, I’m ashamed to say.
Just as Haigh’s is a South Australian institution, so too is Beerenberg, a company which I’m sure needs no introduction. This proud Australian producer of jams, preserves and condiments has a farm in the Adelaide Hills and recently launched a lovely range called Botanicals.
I was unable to attend the launch as I was attending a meeting in Fiji (I’m not expecting you to believe that I was, in fact, working…) so my sous chef and partner in Food Wine Travel, Maurie, attended on my behalf. He was given a lovely wooden box filled with delicious Botanicals including Raspberry and Violet Jam, Rose Petal Jelly, Apricot and Lavender Jam, and Grape and Jasmine Tea Jelly.
He was also given a copy of Berry Hill, the story of Beerenberg Farm, with charming anecdotes from founder Grant Paech and recipes using the Beerenberg products. He also brought back this Eggplant and Tomato Relish, and Balsamic Beetroot Relish that went beautifully with the chicken terrine we bought from Jan Power’s Farmers Market at the weekend.
During my trip to Thailand mid-year, I bought these Moro Heiya noodles at an organic farm called Harmony Life. They have great flavour and are wonderful in soup. Have you heard of moroheiya? No, I hadn’t either until I visited this inspiring farm. It’s a leaf that is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals, and is said to be a powerful antioxidant. I also brought back some first grade fish sauce from a factory in Klong Kohn.
One of my favourite shops is Kunara, an organic supermarket on the Sunshine Coast, where on a recent visit I stocked up on gota kula, turmeric magic, herb Robert and Niulife creamed coconut. The shrimp paste is an interloper in the picture – I bought it in Thailand as well.
Finally, these duck and caramelised onion pies, bought at Jan Power’s Farmers Market, didn’t last long in our kitchen. Yummo!
Thanks to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting In My Kitchen each month – go to her blog and take a peek into many other lovely kitchens.
Check out my previous posts for In My Kitchen.
Welcome home Christine (and Maurie)… aren’t those Haigh’s Chocolates the best! And look at all those goodies from Beerenberg… enjoy your time in your lovely new home. There’s no place like home, I think.
Thanks Liz, I agree. Travelling is wonderful, but there’s definitely no place like home!
Christine, there is so much lovely colour and personality in your kitchen… I’m loving that beautiful box of jams and jellies. The flavour combinations sound amazing… I hope you report back about your thoughts!
Hi Lisa, I like to think my kitchen has ‘colour and personality’ but it’s lovely to have it acknowledged. I’m tickled pink by your generous comments!
Hi Christine, what lovely (and delicious) mementos of your travels! I love Haigh’s chocolates too, and always buy some when in Adelaide – great to hear they are now online…
You might be interested to know that the founders of Nuilife are a lovely Canberra couple who’ve spent, I think, about 20 years working with Pacific Island communities to help them create sustainable products and income from their coconuts. I’m mentioning this because they also live a suburb away from me, and when I’ve ordered their products online I’ve just popped around to their house to pick them up!
Beck
That’s amazing, Beck, I had no idea the Nuilife people live in Canberra (you might not be aware that we lived in Canberra until earlier this year). Wish I’d known that while I was there. Thanks for letting me know.
G’day What a great post that brightened my day! Love experiencing Haigh’s free tours!
Thx for this month’s kitchen view also!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks Joanne. Everyone loves Haigh’s!
duck and caramelised onion? OMG i will have to take myself to the market next time it is on. and those relishes look good.
I can highly recommend the pies, Sherry.
What a very full kitchen you have this month… I am so jealous of your Haighs!!! I can’t get it in Queensland and I only am able to get friends to bring me some when they visit! Thanks for sharing! Liz x
Well, Liz, now you’ll be able to buy it online if you need to get your Haigh’s fix!
Sigh. Duck and caramelised onion pies. That’s what I want for breakfast now! Beerenberg really do make the most fabulous products, don’t they? I’m look out for their new range, thanks Christine! 🙂
Keep an eye out for them, Celia. You’re in for a treat!
Love seeing different flavoured relishes – always so interesting to try them 🙂
Mmm… the aprichocs sounds – and looks – delicious, Christine. And I like the personal touches on the Beerenberg products.