In my kitchen:
Are these beautiful field mushrooms I found on our block.
There is a funny story associated with these mushrooms – well, funny and tragic. Sadly, the day we had them for dinner, we heard of the death of a young man who had done some work for us. He died, unexpectedly, in his sleep. His wife was away at the time and he was found by his young children. His death, obviously, played on my mind.
Back to the field mushrooms… Maus was very reluctant to eat them. “Are you sure they are not poisonous?”, she queried, about twenty-five times. “How do you know?” she asked, when I told her they were the same field mushrooms you see in the vegie shops every day. Anyway, after much reassurance, she agreed to eat them. We had a wonderful mixed grill for dinner and survived to tell the story.
The next day, Maus went back to Perth and I stayed on in the country. “I will have those left over mushrooms,” I thought. “It will save me having to put up with Maus and her neurosis, again.” I had a lovely dinner and went to bed, alone. In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling, decidedly, unwell and all panicky about dying in the house alone. “OMG, it is those mushrooms”, I thought, as I tried to wake myself up. ‘Death by field mushrooms!!!’ I smiled at my own wit, notwithstanding I was 75% asleep. I think I had a bug.
In my kitchen:
Are these absolutely gorgeous individual paté dishes I bought in Paris years ago. I just love them. I bought them from E. Dehillerin, 18-20 Rue Coquillière, Paris (Metro Les Halles). It is the most wonderful shop in the whole wide world. It has the most amazing display of professional quality cookware I have ever seen.
There is copper cookware galore. There are sauté pans, sauciers, stew pots, double boilers, roasting pans, turbot kettles, bowls for whipping egg whites, and lots, lots more. There are all sorts of other tools, too. The shop has been there since 1820.
In my kitchen:
Is my rolling-pin. In 2008, Maggie’s Kitchen was published. I think I bought it the day it hit the shops. On page 15 of the book is a picture of Maggie rolling some pastry with a magnificent rolling-pin. I wanted one. I put it on my Christmas list that year and Maus came good. She bought me a Vic Firth rock maple rolling-pin, just like Maggie’s. It has stainless steel ball bearings. If you are getting old or have arthritis (I believe Maggie does), get yourself one.
Here is a shot of my rolling pin in action.
In my kitchen:
Are some biscuits I made recently. I used this recipe but substituted the currants with dried citrus peel and the vanilla with half a teaspoon of Fiori di Sicilia which I bought ages ago from Bakery Bits.
I bought this essence, an essence specifically for pannetone and pannetone cases, after reading a post by Joanna, from Zeb Bakes. This is the first time I have used any of what I bought. I am going to try to make a pannetone this Christmas.
In my kitchen:
Is this packet of Disco Crisps. Yes, that is right – Disco Crisps. To the untrained eye, they may look like small papadums but, clearly, that is not the case.
You will note that the aforesaid Disco Crisps cost me $1.85. That is, notwithstanding this note on the back of the pack: Free sample not for sale. We, obviously, have a budding entrepreneur in Perth.
In my kitchen:
and by special request from Celia, is this plate of which I know absolutely nothing except that it was a gift from an old friend, Sheryl Foot (with whom I have since lost contact). Sheryl, and her then husband, John, went on one of those truck trips through Africa and the Middle East and gave me this lovely plate on their return. The plate has no markings on the back and I have no idea where they bought it. Sheryl, if you are ever Googling your name and come across this post, please, leave a comment and tell us about the plate. I am curious now. I use it all the time because it is very flat (although, not perfectly) and, therefore, good to serve cakes and pies on.
In my kitchen:
Is some pistachio bread. I had some pistachio nuts in the cupboard for ages and I didn’t know what to do with them. I had bought them to make some spiced nuts but had never got around to it. I also had more than the usual number of egg whites in the freezer so pistachio bread was perfect. I usually make almond bread with glazed cherries and ginger. The pistachio bread was not very sweet but still nice. Here is the recipe. I replaced the almonds, cherries and ginger with 250g of pistachio nuts.
In my kitchen:
Is this lovely bowl of cumquats. In my last IMK post, I mentioned that I was going to visit my neighbour, Renate, as her cumquat tree was laden. A day or two later, and before my visit, I had a telephone call from Renate offering cumquats. Jackpot! 
In my kitchen:
Is some vanilla syrup I made using two of my 122 vanilla beans I bought on my Sydney trip. I stir the syrup into our homemade yoghurt. Vanilla yoghurt is our favourite. I think I have about 115 vanilla beans left.
So what is in your kitchen this month?
If you would like to see what is in other bloggers’ kitchens this month, visit Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Celia hosts In My Kitchen each month.
Passion Fruit Garden 
Hi once again Glenda. I am spending quite a bit of time in Bridgetown these days and would really like to visit and view some of your mushrooms this year. I wonder if you could contact me via email so that we could organise a visit? Cheers, Morrie.
I loveeeeeeeeeeeee your kitchen. I love E Dehillerin – I didn’t buy much when I was there in 2009 but I loved all the copper pots and pans. I love the kumquats, the vanilla syrup. That plate from your friend is gorgeous too, and sad to hear about the death.
Hiya Thanks for visiting. E Dehillerin is so great isn’t it? You could spend so much money there.
Wow. you have an amazing assortment in your kitchen this month Glenda… I want one of everything please, although I might pass on the mushrooms. In Budapest, there are caravans at the markets and if you’ve been foraging you can take your mushrooms to them to check if they are edible. Happy cooking!
Hi Liz. These WERE field mushrooms!!
I’m very impressed with your rolling pin – a superb looking piece of kitchenware. I must say however, that pistachio bread is a total knockout. Congrats on a great job – I really admire good almond bread and there is only one person I know who does a brilliant job – my European neighbour Philomena. After seeing your picture; I can say with confidence I now know two people who can master the tricky almond/pistachio bread.
Thanks Mariana. My rolling pin is very popular.
Maus, I would just like to say, I’m with you on this one. I won’t eat found mushrooms either. And before Glenda tells us we’re both neurotic, I reckon we’re just being rational. 🙂
Glenda, you really do write the very best IMK posts – I’m always oohing and aahing over your treasures! Love the rolling pin, and that plate is just so gorgeous, thank you for taking a photo for me. Joanna sent me some of that essence, but I haven’t put it to good use yet (sorry Jo!). Your pistachio bread looks fabulous, and surely you can’t still have that many vanilla beans left? 😀
Thanks for showing us your kitchen! xx
Hi Celia not you tooooo!! I found the best site for identifying field mushrooms – http://morrie2.wordpress.com/ – check it out. It is one of the best blogs I have come across. That rolling pin is so gorgeous. Maus is not usually a good present buyer but she hit the jackpot with that one.
that rolling pin is beautiful! I just love cooking and baking with essential oils, so have fun using yours 🙂
Hi Tandy, everyone has rolling pin envy:)))
I would be a nervous wreck if I had to pick mushrooms – I am sure I would convince myself they are poisonous even if there aren’t! There are so many beautiful and wonderful things in your kitchen Glenda.
🙂 Mandy
Mushrooms I picked here in the woods in Tas and worried like you both that I would end up with the same epitaph and I survived.
Dehellerin is eccentric!! and have an antiquated system of service, I bought some items and found it a bit intimidating until a lovely man of Asian background served me.
Hi Roz We are all very paranoid about mushrooms aren’t we? I wish there was a chart, or something, that told us which ones were safe and which ones weren’t. I love Dehellerins!!
Don’t know if I would have been too happy about eating mushrooms from the backyard – Maureen was very brave!!! Not a big fan of cooked mushrooms, remember my Mum cooking and loving them though.
Hi Gail. She was not brave – they are field mushrooms:)))
I love your rolling pin! I collect older pins- those without the bearings and just recently found a larger than life pin- easily twice the diameter of my other pins!
And I have citrus envy- all the lemons. limes and now kumquats coming into season and view on the Australian blogs are making me jealous.
You have so much to admire in your kitchen, Glenda- the pistachio bread is beautiful- your individual pate bowls are adorable- and the plate- even without knowing its origin – it has its own story of friendship and travel.
Thanks for posting- I’m VERY late this month- going to the coast to clean up and survey the damage from Hurricane Sandy and will try to post from there!
Hi Heidi. No wonder you are late. Dealing with Hurricane Sandy is more important. I hope all is well. I understand your rolling pin envy:)))
I want one of those rolling pins, mine doesn’t even have handles anymore, sorry but I had to laugh about the mushrooms and your exaggerated demise! 🙂
Hi Sue. Yes, it would be a very sad way to go. ‘Death by field mushrooms:)))’