In my My Breton Kitchen

My kitchen here in Brittany is tiny, but I love it.

I have it simply decorated with gorgeous blue faux wood wallpaper, and the units (which were already in the house) are white.  I updated them by switching the rather unattractive cream door handles for a lovely blue, it took three DIY shops to find sufficient.

The two butchers trolleys came from Ikea and Fly (a similar, though smaller scale French emporium). They are slightly different sizes, but work well in the space, and are useful when we eat outside. One or other  can be wheeled out to act as a drinks trolley/side table if we have lots of lunch guests.

On the shelves below I have all sorts of goodies, which I have noted under each photograph. I use the top of the trolleys to photograph food, it's very convenient and the light is lovely throughout the year.

The little bowl was bought about 10 years ago from John Lewis, it was in the sale and I think a sample from Vanessa Arbuthnot.  I do love it , and it seems so very chic and  French.


My bread bin and dishwash tin were both bought  from John Lewis, one I think is Typhoon, the other John Lewis's own.  I do  love them and they are standing up well to the salty atmosphere here in Brittany, maybe a touch of rust, but that only adds to the patina.  My chopping board collection has built up over the years. I prefer to cut onions, garlic and chilli on a separate board from cheese and tomatoes, and I now have a selection to fit all purposes.  They have the added bonus of adding a rustic touch to the table when I serve hot dishes.

I especially love my bread bags.  the blue and white gingham is perfect, and storing baguettes in a small kitchen can be a challenge, so being able to hang the bags, complete with bread, up by the side is an absolute blessing.

Now I had better get on with cooking some lunch.

Wishing you a happy summer with plenty of sunshine.

Judith x

A delightful French inspired bowl

Teddington Lock - A Riverside Walk

When I'm at home in Richmond, I often miss the sea in Brittany.  The glorious air, the salty tang, the soft sand.  But fortunately there are some compensations.

Teddington Lock is less than ten minutes from my front door.  On an early spring morning, it's an enchanting place to walk.

The dog and and I head across the water meadows, to the footbridge, (which crosses the River Thames between Ham and Teddington) then we set out along the tow path towards Ham House.

Despite being so very close to London (and the constant aeroplanes flying in and out of Heathrow) the river is beautifully calming.  A wonderful place to walk and recall the previous day or to plan a forthcoming weekend.



The tow path can be busy, there are runners, cyclists and other dog walkers.  We stop and greet friends and pause to watch river boats, canoes or wildlife.  The boat houses on the other side of the river look so inviting.

I often think how lovely it would be to live in one of the Lock Keepers Cottages, and wonder what I would keep in this hidden garden.

Do you have a favourite place for a morning walk?  Are you near a river, a lake or the sea? And do you find water soothing and calming?

Wild Honey & Rye - Modern Polish Recipes by Ren Behan

One of the joys of writing a food blog and then Instagramming over the last few years, has been the opportunity to meet incredibly talented people.

Ren Behan has been blogging for the last six years,  her posts are always beautifully photographed and well written, but even more importantly her recipes are divine and work perfectly.

Whilst writing her blog, bringing up her family and remodelling her kitchen, Ren has also been writing a superb recipe book: Wild Honey & Rye - Modern Polish Recipes. Through her hard work and perseverance I'm delighted to say that today, September 7th 2017 the book is published (by Pavilion Books) and available to buy from either a good local bookshop, Waterstones or Amazon.

I was fortunate to be sent a copy, pre-publication and have thoroughly enjoyed both reading it, and trying a couple of recipes. I'm so impressed at Ren's knowledge of Polish cuisine, and her love of the country and culture shines throughout the book.

I knew the baking recipes would be super, a couple of years ago I baked an apple traybake (recipe from her blog), which my family devoured.  So I decided to try some non baking recipes.

The scrumptious Fruit Souffle Omelette was gorgeously light and fluffy, and a great way to eat eggs for breakfast (I do find I occasionally need a change from boiled, poached or fried eggs).  The fruit added a  perfect tartness,  the drop of honey and light sprinkle of sugar just the right amount of sweetness.

I'm trying to eat healthily at the moment, so wanted to try a salad for a light lunch or supper.  The Pickled Cabbage Salad is incredible.  Simple to make, and utterly delicious.  I feel virtuous eating it, and it's so pretty!

Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a stock of homemade liqueurs in my store cupboard.  Having used some honey in the omelette I wanted to ensure that I used rye in a recipe too (after all they are both mentioned in the book's title!)  I bought a bottle of Polish Rye Vodka from Waitrose, and using a combination of foraged and bought blackberries, I've made some amazing Blackberry Vodka, which should be ready in a month or two.  Just in time to go with the beautiful Polish Spiced Christmas Cookies I'll be baking this December.

Ren's book is simply wonderful.  A must for anyone who loves food, and is interested in international cuisine, her writing style is perfect, the book is easy (and interesting) to read, the recipes are clear and  enticing.  Do treat yourself to a copy, or put it on your Christmas list.

Thank you to Ren and Pavilion Books for my copy of Wild Honey & Rye.  I'll be bringing it with me to get it signed next time I see you Ren!

Hashtag Scrumptiousideas! Making small changes for the environment

Every so often an article in the newspaper, or a report on the radio, grabs my attention and I feel I have to challenge myself to make some changes.

The other day I read about plastic drinking straws, along with other plastics, ending up in the ocean, and then being eaten by fish and by sea mammals.


Plastic is a wonderful thing, I am not anti it per se.  I am glad that it is used in hospitals ensuring that medicines, blood and dressings are all safe and sterile.  It has so many good uses, but I believe that single use objects such as straws, cups, picnic plates and cutlery, grocery bags and supermarket packaging are so often not necessary.  They  end up in land fill or even worse in water ways and oceans, and take hundreds of years to disintegrate.

I have decided to make changes in my use of plastics.  I am starting small, but hope over the next few months I can remove much of the wasteful plastic I come across daily.

Rather than use Cling film (plastic wrap) I am using Bees Wrap (a fabric covered in bees wax - I intend to make my own as well) and Duralex glass boxes with silicone lids for storage in the fridge.

I have started buying soap powder for both the washing machine and dishwasher, this comes in cardboard boxes, and has no plastic wrappers to deal with.

For covering food left on the counter top, I am using old fashioned beaded bowl covers. (I know that the beads are plastic, but as I already own them, feel it is better to continue using them, rather than replacing them!)

At present I am using paper straws, but have some metal, reusable ones on order.

Are you worried about plastics in landfill and the ocean?  What steps are you taking to reduce your "once only" plastic use?

Do follow my journey to a more environment friendly home and life style here on Scrumptious Kitchens and on Instagram at my new hashtag scrumtiousideas!

My Coach Legacy Handbag

I do love a good handbag.

My beautiful Coach handbag

 I first discovered Coach bags when they had an outlet in Harrods, this was pre Millennium.  I bought a couple of lovely bags and purses (still in use) during the sales.  I was very disappointed when they closed their concession, and for several years Coach bags were no longer available in England.

Coach bags became a real treat for me, to be bought by my husband  on business trips to the States.  About 12 years ago I went on one such trip to California with him and he bought me a very beautiful, simple tan bag from the Legacy range.  I was delighted with it, the gorgeous Legacy bag quickly became my favourite handbag, so you can imagine my horror when, just two years later,  I brushed against some (unlabelled) wet paint, and the front of the bag was ruined.

I looked up the instructions that had come with the bag and they seemed to say not to use anything on the very traditional leather.  So I sadly put the bag away.

It was such a joy to me when Coach returned to London, the flagship store being in Bond Street.   I love to go shopping in Piccadilly and Bond Street,  when I had to go to do some important shopping (Rose Pouching tea from Fortnum and Mason) I thought I would dig out my poor old bag and take it along to Coach.  They might just be able to recommend something.

The staff in the shop were so helpful and kind.  They whisked the bag away and said they would see what they could do about it.  I left them contact details.

A few weeks passed and I received a phone call.  The bag was back and ..... the paint had gone!

I went up to London to collect it, and as you can see from the before and after photographs it's was as good as new.

I was completely delighted with the bag, and with the service from this shop.  I had no receipt from the original purchase, but all Coach bags have indentifying features and numbers, so the company knew it was one of their bags.   The problem was not in the manufacturing of the bag, but they still dealt with the paint, and there was no charge.

Sometimes it is worth spending a little more money on a handbag,  in this case I think I was also paying for superb after care.

Thank you Coach for such wonderful service.

Coach bags are now so popular, and over the years I have added to my collection, but I love getting this bag out every summer and using it.

My poor bag, with dreadful white paint on it

And it couldn't have been in a worse place on the bag

The bag when I collected it from Coach

It is perfect, I am really delighted 

Just in case anyone wonders, this is my own experience and I have not received anything (apart from First Class Service) from Coach.

Ham and Petersham

We're fortunate in the Ham and Petersham, to be the greenest electoral ward in Greater London, we have Richmond Park to the north, and Ham Lands with Petersham Meadows to the south, boarding the river Thames.

The water meadows are my favourite place for a walk with the dog, and to go foraging in the spring and the autumn.

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The tow path is an idyllic way to walk into either Richmond or Kingston.  If you choose to go towards Richmond, you will pass Ham House, the ferry to Marble Hill, and River Lane, which will take you to the Petersham Nurseries or the Dysart, should you be in need of a delicious meal, some gorgeous flowers, or maybe a certain Shabby-Chic item for your home.

I love walking or cycling into Richmond.  In the spring and the summer  the cows are in Petersham Meadow.  They are looked after by the National Trust and spend their winters in Surrey.  The Belted Galloways have been chosen for their gentle nature and placid attitude.  I miss seeing the nursing cows, who were there years ago, but sadly a few irresponsible dog owners caused problems,  these gentle creatures are a wonderful substitute.

If you are ever visiting Richmond, than take the walk in the opposite direction to me. Follow the river  from town to Teddington Lock, though you could do as many do,  stop at Ham House, take the foot ferry across the river, and walk back along the other side.

Have you ever taken this walk?  Which season was it?  Maybe you're a local and can recommend a hidden gem.  Do let me know, in September I intend to write some more in-depth pieces on this gorgeous "country in the city" part of London, which I am lucky enough to have called home for the last thirty years.

Cooking by the Coast - Book and PDF For Sale!

I'm delighted to say that my book is available to buy, both as a book and a PDF.

I wanted to share a link with you today, as Blurb (the publishers and bookshop) have a 25% discount for the remainder of today and tomorrow.

If you want to buy a copy you need to use this:  Code:DREAM25

Even with the discount code, the price for a book is quite high, so I have also made it available as a PDF, which you can buy and download to iBooks.  It works beautifully on my iPad and would be useful in a holiday kitchen, as well as meaning that you would have one less book to pack!

The link to my store front in Blurb is at the top righthand side of this blog.

Happy Shopping.

The PDF fills the screen of the iPad, and is easy to scroll through.