What’s on your plate: June

Thistles and Kiwis

Deciding what to cook and eat on a daily basis can sometimes be a bit of a challenge as I am sure most of you will agree. Sometimes one can tire of what were once old favourites, longing for something new to feed us after a day at work. Other times all one wants is a big plate of sausages, mash, onion gravy and peas and nothing else will do. The seasons play a part too of course, and for us right now in the Southern Hemisphere, we are now in winter, so warming dishes and comfort foods are the order of the day.

Successes

Every now and again you open a cook book or food magazine and immediately half a dozen things jump out as things you would like to cook and eat. The most recent copy of dish magazine has several things that have cried out ‘make me’ such as the chorizo and tomato bake I made a couple of weeks ago, some delicious sounding harissa lamb meatballs and the mushroom to try and bacon and sage gnocchi I made for dinner on Saturday (and didn’t photograph). On Monday, I made the tarragon and chicken meatballs with creamy leek orzo, their take on a classic. The recipe said to make your own mince, but I used already prepared chicken mince, since mincing my own is not something I have the tools to do. I also made large meatballs rather than tiny ones as that is what we like. Verdict: definitely a do again and can see this and the other two dishes I have tried so far too.

Miscellaneous

With half of the limes I picked up last week, I made some preserved limes, using lots of salt and some whole peppercorns. I also quick pickled the stmes of the rainbow chard, which I will try tomorrow. The pumpkin and golden beetroot were both roasted, with the beetroot tasting good (success!) and the pumpkin acting as a good side dish and the basis of Monday’s lunch. I made a coleslaw with half the cabbage, carrot, apples an raisins today which we will have tomorrow, and probably for several more days.

And soup

This week’s soup was Ottolenghi’s curried lentil, tomato and coconut soup from Simple, with some added spinach. I have featured this before I know, but it is a very good soup.

So these are a few of the things I have been cooking recently. There is no blogging party for the theme this month.

Also sharing in Min’s Wednesday Words and Whimsy #wwwhimsy linkup, hosted this week by Sue of Women Living Well After 50.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.co

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

18 Comments

  1. Loved the Dish magazine that you recommended, they really jumped out at me as well. We tried the chorizo one, just after coming back from camping and was just nice and easy, and worked a treat when you can’t face cooking.

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  2. I was given some (very) back copies of dish magazine a while ago and have drooled my way through them. It is a pity it isn’t available locally. You are right about the weather playing a part in our food choices. Today is cold, dark and damp and so a tomato and chicken soup will shortly be the order of the day – a lovely way to use leftovers 🙂

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  6. All the dishes looks amazing to me! I’m intrigued to how the pickled lime would taste? I’ve never had that. I pulled out one of the beets in my garden yesterday, they are still on the smaller side and I’m going to be patient. They re usually ready in September, but I believe due to the weird weather they will be ready much earlier. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

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