A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

From Our Kitchen …

April 17, 2011 By Spoonful of Sugar - 12 Comments

Sarah and I had a relaxing Sunday pottering around in the kitchen.

I made up a batch of Tomato, Garlic, and Chilli Relish which was an easy recipe that I adapted from several others but the flavour packed a punch.

Ingredients:
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsp yellow mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 red chilli, finely diced
750g red tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 green cooking apple (125 g) peeled, cored, and diced
250g brown onions, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
1/2 cup (125 ml)  red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
salt to taste

Method:
Place the whole spices in a piece of muslin and tie into a pouch with twine.
Place all remaining ingredients into a saucepan, bring to boil and then simmer gently for approximately 75 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove muslin bag and pour relish into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Makes enough for 2 x 400 ml jars. I decorated them simply with a cricut tomato (From Our Kitchen Cartridge)  with some Japanese masking tape and bakers twine.

Sarah made up a batch of Graham Crackers using a recipe she found here. Sarah is nostalgic about Graham crackers as they were her favourite childhood snack when we lived in the USA and she has recently been on a quest to find the perfect recipe (they are not readily available in Australia). This is her favourite so far – they really were delicious!

Filed Under: Jams/Preserves Tagged With: chili, relish, tomato

« Happy Friday
Natural Patchwork by Suzuko Koseki – A Review »

Comments

  1. two hippos says

    April 18, 2011 at 12:18 am

    the relish sounds great. my husband loves making chutneys and I’m going to have to give him the recipe, looks great in the gingham lidded jars too,

    Reply
  2. Dogwood says

    April 17, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    Sounds like a really fun day in the kitchen at your house. All sounds yummy. I have never heard of baking your own graham crackers. I am totally impressed.

    Reply
  3. Christy says

    April 18, 2011 at 12:30 am

    sounds yummy! the packaging is so pretty!

    Reply
  4. Chocolate Cat says

    April 18, 2011 at 1:49 am

    The aromas in your kitchen must of been amazing. Thanks for the link to the Graham cracker recipe, something I’ve wanted to find for a while.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    April 18, 2011 at 2:56 am

    Sarah’s homemade graham crackers are much prettier than the boxed variety. I do love graham crackers. The relish looks and sounds delicious.

    Reply
  6. I'm Deborah says

    April 18, 2011 at 3:08 am

    Oooohhh, the relish sounds delish and I have a husband & son who would very happily be taste testers for me. Can I just clarify though…. when you say 250 brown onions do you mean 250 of them or 250g of brown onions? Wouldn’t want to make a huge mistake somewhere along the line!!

    I too miss graham crackers (especially for making smores!!) and have been looking for a good recipe… I will have to try the one Sarah used and see how they turn out.

    Thanks, D

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    April 18, 2011 at 4:28 am

    I have seen Graham crackers in a lot of recipes-what are they? and how did this batch rate?

    Reply
  8. periwinkle says

    April 18, 2011 at 4:46 am

    I’ve never had actual Graham crackers but I was told they are like the english ‘ digestives’ they do look like them too. Come to think of it, it might have been you that told me this ?

    Reply
  9. Thimbleanna says

    April 18, 2011 at 6:32 am

    Clearly we need to have a mass e-mail campaign to Nabisco and tell them to market Graham Crackers in the UK and AU!!! We have so many good recipes that we love to use graham crackers in.

    Your relish looks wonderful — I love how you and Sarah always make pretty tags to go with your goodies!

    Reply
  10. Bela says

    April 22, 2011 at 3:42 am

    They look delicious!!!
    I wish you, Lisa, and all your family a Happy Easter!! Much joy and love and chocolate to you all!!
    Love, Bela

    Reply
  11. Shannon says

    April 26, 2011 at 8:37 am

    The relish sounds delicious, and I love your packaging! As always, Sarah’s treats look delightful. I would have to run miles each day if I lived with her, because I would not be able to resist the treats she is always baking!

    Reply
  12. Jody says

    April 29, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    I love this blog! 🙂 It is so nice to find local (to me) people who do the same things I do. Great projects and lovely photos. About 6 months ago I too made graham crackers… I used this recipe: http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/05/graham-crackers/ I hadn’t tasted the original recipe though so had nothing to compare them to – them my husbands nice workmates brought me a box. We think original grahams taste a lot like granita biscuits. 🙂
    Kind regards,
    Jody

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

Meet the Quadra Pouch — a clever flat‑base design Meet the Quadra Pouch — a clever flat‑base design that comes in three super‑useful sizes. Beginner‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for
showing off pretty prints.I stitched this pouch in the upcoming Tilda Village Life collection, using the same floral in burgundy, ochre, teal and blue. Each corner is different, which makes the whole pouch feel extra special.Want the pattern link?
Comment QUADRA and I’ll send it straight through.Pattern Details: Quadra Pouch Sewing Pattern (3 Sizes)Fabric Credit: Tilda Village Life - available 1 October with thanks to @tilda_australia#quadrapouch #tildavillagelife #tildafabric #sewingpattern #ilovetilda
A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️ This A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️
This Easy Hexagon Trivet comes together in minutes — no binding, straight seams, and a very pleasing turn‑through moment.Perfect for charm packs, leftover 10" squares, or your favourite scraps.Comment TRIVET for the pattern link.Pattern Details: Easy Hexagon Trivet & Coasters — available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#easysewingproject #scrapsewing #beginnersewing #sewingreels #weekendsewing
A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess Woods inspired this sweet little Heart Bookmark. I adored the way The Cairo Bridal Shop wove together family, secrets, and sisterhood — it’s one of those
stories that stays with you long after you close the cover. If you missed my book review, check my previous post.This tiny Heart Bookmark is scrap‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for book lovers or handmade gift‑givers.Comment BOOKMARK for the free Pattern or click on the link in my bio.Save this for when you are looking for quick handmade gift ideas.#freesewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #bookloversofinstagram #sewingcommunity
A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project insp A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project inspired by the Albi sisters.Thanks to @tesswoods_author and @penguinbooksaus for the advance copy of this captivating story.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I’ve just finished reading The Cairo Bridal Shop by local author Tess Woods — and it completely swept me away.Set at the foot of the pyramids, the Albi Bridal Shop is home to three sisters fighting to break tradition and shape their own futures. Inspired by ancient pharaoh queens, they draw on generations of women, culture, sacrifice, and resilience to find their strength.Tess calls this “the book of her heart,” weaving her family history into a story of sisterhood, identity, faith, strong women, and delicious Egyptian food.While reading, I kept thinking about the three Albi sisters — Sarah, Aya, and Lola — each navigating their own challenges, each fighting for the life she deserves.So I stitched three Heart Bookmarks, one to represent each sister. A tiny handmade nod to their courage, creativity, and connection.Each bookmark is made from quilting cotton, wool felt, lace, and a silky tassel — quick to sew, lovely to gift, and perfect for marking your place in a story full of strong women.I was completely captivated by The Cairo Bridal Shop. The relationships between the sisters are truly the heart of the story — tender, complicated, loyal, and full of resilience.I loved the structure: six dresses, each inspired by a Pharaoh queen, each opening a new chapter of their lives. The cultural details, the food, the history, the Cairo setting — it all felt vivid and immersive.A beautiful, emotional story of family, identity, courage, and the strength we find in the women around us.If you only read one book this year, make sure it is The Cairo Bridal Shop.If you’d like to stitch your own Heart Bookmark, the pattern is free.Comment BOOKMARK and I’ll send you the link.A sweet, quick project — perfect paired with a good book.Thanks for being here — I love sharing small sewing projects that bring joy to your day.
A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨ The Zakka Scisso A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨The Zakka Scissor Keeper is one of my favourite small  makes — quick to sew, perfect for coordinated scraps, and so handy to keep your scissors protected in your sewing bag. I’ve never shared a reel of this one, so here’s a little peek at how it opens and closes.It’s also my Pattern of the Week, which means you can save 25% for a limited time. If you love small, satisfying projects, this one is a fun weekend sew.Comment SCISSOR and I’ll send you the link.#sewingprojects #scrapfriendlysewing #smallsewingprojects #zakka #sewingaddict
The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️ Six designs and endl The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️Six designs and endless ways to make your table feel special. From festive holiday colours to cosy autumn tones, these placemats are quick to sew, scrap‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or decorating your home.Featuring:
• Hexie Holiday – a Christmas favourite
• Hexie House – the newest addition
• Hexie Heart – sweet and sentimental
• Hexie Star – crisp and modern
• Hexie Pumpkin – warm autumn vibes
• Hexie Bunny – playful for springSwipe to see all the looks — each one has its own personality and is fun to customise with your favourite fabrics.Comment HEXIE and I’ll send you the link to the full series (available in my Pattern Store + Etsy Shop).#sewingprojects #quiltedplacemat #scrapfriendlysewing #pdfsewingpattern #sewingcommunity
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Rediscovering Your Fabric Stash: Hidden Treasures, Changing Tastes, and Fresh Inspiration
  • Apple Crumble Slice
  • Liberty Scrap Gift Tags – A Quick, Pretty Project for Using Tiny Fabric Offcuts
  • Travel Accessories to Sew
  • Lavender Sachets
  • Patchwork Fabric Tray
  • Charm Square Fabric Tray

Copyright © 2026 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar