In my kitchen…sort of
My walking boots have hardly been off my feet since I arrived in England at the beginning of the month. I have a few precious weeks out of the year to get my fix of the green and rolling countryside and have been alternately baked in sunshine, saturated by driving rain and had my breath taken away by howling winds in Gloucestershire and Devon. That’s English summer weather for you.
I’ve cooked almost nothing. It’s not that I don’t want to, but I’m on the receiving end of a lot of love by people I haven’t seen for a year. I’m being fed by family – and what could be better than siting around a table sharing home-cooking after being out in masses of fresh air.
So I’m not in my kitchen this month but someone else’s and having been an expat for 16 years some things in this English kitchen seem rare and almost exotic.
So in my Mother-in-Law’s kitchen…
A homemade Victoria sandwich cake (according to my ex-domestic science teacher M-in-Law it should never be called a sponge)…
Unwaxed lemons, and fresh beetroot from the garden; don’t these golden ones look beautiful?…
Local cheeses from the South-West (from Country Cheeses) including creamy, soft, ripe Goldilocks, and a plate painted by my daughter for her Nan-nan after her dog had died (can’t you tell it’s a springer spaniel?)…
New potatoes and pork sausages from pigs raised in the village (more of these sausages to follow soon)…
Rhubarb tarts and bright yellow homemade custard (300 ml cream and three egg yolks from hens who live up the road)…
And finally the view from the kitchen window when you do the washing up…
Visit Fig Jam and Lime Cordial to see what’s in Celia’s kitchen this month. I don’t know whose kitchen I’ll be next month, but would you like to have a peep?
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My Custard Pie 
Oh dear, pity about the weather but what a win in your MIL kitchen and as for that view from the kitchen window – even I am willing to do dishes for that view.
I would love to have a peep in the kitchen you visit.
🙂 Mandy
Oh, the view is breathtaking… ♥
(So is the custard :D)
Sally, so happy to hear you’re having such a good time! And look at how yellow your MIL’s custard is, must have been a true joy for a custard lover such as yourself! All the produce looks fresh and inviting, and the view so peaceful. And absolutely, would love to see whatever kitchen you’re in next month, if you get a chance.. 🙂
The rhubarb tarts look delicious!
am drooling at your rhubarb tarts Sally! x
Your MIL appears to be a domestic goddess 🙂
Of course I can see it’s a springer spaniel!
What a glorious view, it would make any chore seem a treat.
She is Cindy!
Sally, I’m really enjoying your “in England” series of posts. I’m so hungry now for proper English food! Can you believe it, I had all these things for the first time only after 2009 when I moved there? Now I miss the food, AND the views so very much. Love, love, love the countryside, and I’m so glad you’re blogging from there and giving me a glimpse of a place I honestly consider one of my homes.
What a lovely comment Dee – I haven’t had time to post many of my countryside ‘view’ pics but have masses in my camera. I miss our green and pleasant land so am making the most of my time here.
I just love the plate! Your post is wonderful, and the kitchen treats are making me long for a good farm shop 🙂
Plenty of farm shops here in Devon.
Drooool. And that view is gorgeous! So good to know you’re having a lovely time. 🙂
Every view is fabulous – when not raining!
Lovely post as usual. I always wanted to be a domestic science teacher!
Did you? I’m just lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a talented cook.
Hope you’re enjoying your ‘exotic’ holiday in England Sally!
What a fabulous view, what wouldn’t most of us give to have that in our kitchen. Glad to see you’ve got Cornish potatoes in – that’s my patriotic bit coming out. The rhubarb tarts look wonderful too as does your daughters plate. Sounds like you’re having a whale of a time being spoilt and enjoying our lovely weather 😉
I can’t stop eating new potatoes – it’s the simple foods you miss most.
Ooh I didn’t realise you were going to Devon! Say hi to my home county for me. Local hen eggs definitely make the best custard. It all looks delicious!
The cake is bright yellow from those eggs too. Devon is such a wonderful county – trying to say hi to every corner!
What a beautiful view from the kitchen sink! Your inviting photos make me want to jump on the first plane to England. Love rhubarb and love curd!!
I can relate to being in another’s kitchen. I just got home from a 2 week vacation, and though it was awesome to be fed, cared for and rarely do the dishes….it is so nice to be back in my own kitchen. The 3 things I missed…my hubby, my kitchen & my bed. But mostly my kitchen. haha….
(sorry…for some reason I’m having issues. It keeps linking to my gravatar.)
Missing KP, my dogs and my elder daugher – but not much else! Sorry you had problems so appreciate the effort of leaving your comment.
Yum. The tarts and the sausage really call to me! What a gorgeous view from the window — so picturesque.
The sausages….well more to follow.
Fabulous looking beetroot Sally. I can only imagine how good they must taste 🙂
Really good – the golden ones are slightly sweeter than the purple ones.
Thanks for the English view of “In my kitchen”- everything was very lovely.
My heart went pitterpat for the plate- so sweet- and the golden beet!
I really love golden beets- they are earthy and lush and friendly all at once.
Thanks Heidiannie – I picked the beetroots myself from the garden…simple pleasures.
What an adventure. As an American the notion of two whole months away from home is foreign to start with. The notion of a foodie on someone else’s kitchen, a challenge. Your beautiful images and post show that those with the love of food survive and flourish no matter where they are.
Adore the view then “washing up”
Never seen orange beets! How lovely and crumbly the victoria cake is. And the pictures are breathtaking. Glad to have come here following a tweet.
Oh my gosh, those tarts look incredible! Great pictures 😀
Of course it should be called sandwich cake – that’s so smart, who’d want to eat a sponge anyway?! what’s that tempting thread running through the cake…cinnamon? jam? If I can’t eat it, I may as well sit here and torment myself by dissecting it to pieces.
I’ve only been to the UK once, but oh my GOD I wanna go back! Esp since I’m sitting here, looking outside at the brilliant sunshine which refuses to give up, and will soon be in my car, getting BAKED in the Dxb heat! *sigh*
Hey Sally,
I love these “in my kitchen posts” and I have been visiting your site regularly over the past 7-8 months. I am craving a proper barbecued english sausage.. yummm!
Thanks to you, I have managed to muster up some courage to start up my own blog – http://www.eaternalzest.com This little baby of mine is only a couple weeks old and its still work in progress. Do make a visit 🙂 cheers!
Good luck with your new blog and thanks for such kind words.
Love your MIL’s kitchen goodies – it is wonderful to share the joys of your kitchen. Someones kitchen. Anyone’s kitchen. Have fun and enjoy being spoilt!
What a lovely view from the kitchen and those tarts look great.
its so good to have someone make something for you once in a while. that custard has my name all over it.
I’ll fight you for it!:)