Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hello 2011!


The year 2010 was a little bittersweet to me. I was off to a good start. I've met new friends that I know I'll treasure forever, I had a great time travelling and exploring places I've never been to before, and made more plans exploring more places than my free time could ever handle. But then there were dreams unfulfilled, promises broken, and unexpected sickness in the family. But I have survived.

I've recently come across a quotation about life, from probably one of the wisest people who had ever lived, and it just struck me to the bones:

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

~ Mother Teresa ~

I guess I never thought of my life that way, and it made me realize that I've been caging and boxing-up my life to be a certain way when it really is so much more...and that it's okay if it's not the exact ideal picture of what I would've wanted...because it really is so much more.

So as 2011 ushers in new challenges for me, I've decided to face it with a renewed vigor and an unfaltering spirit. I will welcome new experiences and embrace every struggles with the resolution to win and overcome. I will be thirty this year...and if only for that, I know it's high time to put childish ways behind. I must grow with the times. Gone are the days when I fight the changing of the seasons to keep my life the same "carefree way" it used to be. And man, did I fight hard! Now that I think about it, it seemed stupid...no one can stop and turn back time. Everyone must move forward, everyone must grow old and grow up, including me.

So here's to the coming year! May it grant us all the wishes of our hearts and give us the inspirations where future dreams are made of!



Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Topping:
1/4 unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
6-7 pineapple rings/slices (or 1 cup of pineapple chunks)
1/2 cup jarred maraschino cherries, optional

Cake:
2 cups cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pineapple juice

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Very lightly grease an 8" or 9" round or square pan.
2. Arrange  pineapple slices & cherries on prepared pan. Prepare topping by mixing melted butter and sugar, and pour on prepared baking pan.
3. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cream butter and sugar. Add yolks to the butter mixture, one at a time and beat until well incorporated. Add vanilla.
4. Alternately add flour mixture and pineapple juice to the butter-yolk mixture, ending with the dry ingredients. Set aside.
5. In a clean and grease-free mixing bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the egg whites onto the butter-flour mixture one third at a time. 
6. Pour mixture onto topping-filled pan, bake for 30-35 mins for the 8" pan (or 20-25 mins for the 9" pan), or until top is lightly browned and cake is firm. Turn over plate. Garnish with more cherries if desired. 


This cake is best eaten warm. 
Enjoy!


♥♥♥

2 comments:

Unknown said...

this cake looks so delicious.
I ♥ pineapple.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Happy Baking.

Anna ♥ Sugarized said...

Thanks Haniela! Love your blog too! =)

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