Tuesday, January 5, 2010

UPSIDE DOWN CHERRY COBBLER


I have been spending the beginning few days of 2010 thinking what I'd like to do more of for the next 12 months of the Gregorian calendar. 

Fireworks went off at precisely midnight not far from where we live. But nothing stirred at home except that we were all up and about. As always. 


We're candle burners. All ...1..2..3...4...5...6 of us. We simply carried on with what we always do. 

Some of us having big exams to face..another working on a book, another working and studying part time and another getting ready for a new course in life. Most of life revolves around the dining table with off shoots to the various bedrooms in the house. 


Life goes on seamlessly it seems. Last years thoughts still being pondered upon, last year's mess is this year's mess, birthday celebrations being reminisced, a picture frame dropped in November awaits to be glued. Recipes bookmarked since 5 months ago need trying. 


And cherries.....yes cherries.... purchased in late December 2009 for a cake that never got made awaits, incredulously, to be used any old how in 2010.


A year is a year and it could be stretched no further.


And nothing like a boisterous mark for a new period of time to remind you that while life may carry on seamlessly as we reach back to grasp an old thing like old cherries to make a new thing like a new cake there are endless new tricks to learn and  revelations yet to dawn whilst we are at it. 


Finally too.....I'm done with this book that I've been reading since November last.

And true life protagonist Thomas Cromwell is so right when he says.....

" It's all very well planning what you will do in six months, what you will do in a year, but it's no good at all if you don't have a plan for tomorrow."

I'm glad I trudged through this book....Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  

It sends a twang through my head and reminds me that the next year is meaningless if each tomorrow is wasted. 

I know what I'll do more of. 

I'll simply "Just do it". Everyday.


This is a very lovely concoction for my last year's cherries. Deliciously moist with a citrus-y edge, it had a texture that was a cross between a pud and a cake. And with a crown of cherries for make believe jewels.


If I had double the amount of cherries, which was what the recipe called for, these little cobbler pies would have looked ravishing.


The recipe..........from Sweet Baking.....


1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup castor sugar, plus additonal 1/2 cup
grated zest of 1 medium orange
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 T cold unsalted butter (I used 70 gm)
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups pitted sour cherries, or one 16 ounce bag of frozen cherries, thawed and drained (I used only 250 gm of cherries because that was all I had)

1 tsp ground numeg



Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter an 8x8x2 baking dish or 4 5 inch shallow pie dishes like I did.


In medium sized bowl of an electric mixer, at low speed, mix flour, baking powder, salt, 1/2 cup sugarand orange zest.


Increase mixer to medium low. Beat in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.


In a 2 cup glass measure mix egg and milk and vanilla well. Make a well in the centre of the flour mix and pour in the egg mix. Increase speed and beat batter until fluffy.


Spread batter in prepared pan or pie dishes. Scatter cherries over the top. Combine remaining sugar with the nutmeg and sprinkle over the cherries.


Bake. If in pan for about 40 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean when inserted. Or 20- 25 minutes in the pie dishes.


Serve warm or at room temperature.








32 comments:

tracieMoo said...

I never thought that I would make a cake out of cherries. Cause I love them so much I always get a box and finish them fresh. This cake looks really good with the sweet cherries. And the post, is what 'Cherry on a Cake' really needed :)

Elin Chia said...

Zurin..you know you can write a book...I love the way you express so well with words, be it funny or emo I love to drop by and read and drink in all you wrote.

I officially declares I am your no 1 fan and reader :))) and thanks for sharing the cherry cobbler :)

A New Year hug for you and a muax :p hope your hubby is not the jealous type :p

Mrs Multitasker said...

Yup this is making me hungry... mmm... it's been a while since I had any fruit cobbler...

Angie's Recipes said...

I always thought 'each today is wasted'...hehe..
Your cherry cobbler upside down is absolutely a beauty.

3 hungry tummies said...

lovely post and a beautiful cake!

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

(Hugs) What a post! I read every word with relish. It's beautifully written. So much wisdom in what you said. "Just do it. Everyday" is a motto all of us should live by. The cobbler looks gorgeous with those lovely cherries! Like rubies on a cake! :) You're an inspiration.

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Ya, this is really a "Cherry on a cake " !! I agreed with Elin, you could write a book, maybe you could consider this idea.

La Table De Nana said...

All so very well said.. by your lovely posters and by you..
Could this look more ravishing? I think not:)

Linda said...

Oh this was a lovely post and the pics are fabulous...
I would love a big bite of this right now with my tea!

food with style said...

i love your blog... there i said it... i adore your pics, food and thoughts, always wonderful to come here~

i have started a new idea, i hope you will join in, its so you, its called food for thought, you read a book and make an edible review. you read, you take outstanding pics and cook like an angel, yes this is perfect for you to join in!

kick off is jan 16th, then every other saturday, check out my blog and read how to play on the sidebar. i have already started sharing some of my edible reviews, it makes reading an interactive sport! hope you will join in!

food for thought~

Unknown said...

Write a book !!!
You have to do it, the way you write is so delicious !
I will be one of the first who buy it

pigpigscorner said...

I always end up eating all the cherries before I could use it for cooking =P Looks great! I have to try cooking with them next time.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a delicious looking creation. I'll wager it tastes as good as it looks.

Quinn said...

I keep coming back because I like how you narrate stories and how you present, and it almost felt like you're next to me talking to me when I read through what you wrote. That's an awesome looking cherry cobbler Zurin! Cherry on a cake.....perfect match!

Nadia said...

ahem ahem mummy ;) i'm waiting for that book :D you got all the prodding you need in this comment list LOL...
i come to yr blog to mostly read your writing than follow a recipe LOL and of course ogle over the photos LOLOLOLOL...

Faida said...

hold it...hold it.. I was just away for a few days towards the year end and I already missed many of your postings. So rajin....
Today, I spent time to read all that I missed. I enjoyed reading them. They made my day. :-))

Indonesia Eats said...

We have to wait till summer to get cherry. Happy New Year to you too!

Nat said...

Mummy

They're all saying what we've been telling you all this while. So don't say we didnt tell you!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Ooh that looks gorgeous! It reminds me of a clafoutis but to be hoenst, I prefer a cobbler to claufoutis! :D I'm currently undergoing a cherry obsession too :P

Zakiah said...

Zurin
You have such expressive thoughts wonderfully written all the time. As always your cakes turn out ever so perfect too....Just love what you are doing...hey publish a book..I will surely add to my collection!!..(btw as you know mine are all on concepts, theories and models - yours will be totally practical, living and doing!!. Do it Zurin!

Pei-Lin said...

A beautiful piece of writing!! Love it! The cake looks so moist!

Thanks for the wisdom! Yes, every new year is pointless if each tomorrow goes wasted. Thanks!

Pei-Lin

Zakiah said...

Hi Nat..yr mum just have to publish a book...books! Tell her this time she has to do it!!
Zurin..Year 2010 could be a compilation of your yesteryears cling-wrapped with your future thoughts of so many creative and artistic imaginations of an angelic beauty..YOU.

Divina Pe said...

What a lovely cake. I always love cherries but they're too expensive. Happy New Year to you. One of my new year's resolution is to make some of your glutinous rice desserts. I haven't made them yet. :D It's been nice knowing you. Have a great year ahead.

fimere said...

il a l'air succulent j'adore
bonne année 2010 et à bientôt

Anonymous said...

Love the cobbler almost as much as I love how beautifully written your post is :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely recipe! It's cherry season in Australia. Perfect idea for my next baking project. Thanks for sharing. Lovely pictures as always!

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Hi Zurin, love the sensitivity and the philosophical ponder over the post. Your post reminds me of a line I heard in the Animated Motion Picture, Kung Fu Panda.'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery,but today is a gift - that is why it is called the 'present'.

percicilan said...

Ooohhh I am drooling already. I shall try some and drown it with old town white kopi :)

Cathy said...

Wish I had a bag of cherries in the freezer. I would make this in an instant. I'll have to remember to do that next cherry season.

chow and chatter said...

wow great cake and lovely pics, love the quote as well

Rebecca

Marysol said...

You're such a wonderful writer.
This entry enveloped all my senses. So much so, I felt compelled to read it, twice [G]

And your lovely Cherry Cobbler matched the allure of your words perfectly.

Federica Simoni said...

wow golosissima questa torta!!! mmm...

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