Friday, May 28, 2010

Just a thought.....an idea for you

Act as you would like to feel.  The most important thing was that I focused a big part of a year in my personal development on reading/listening to books by Eckhart Tolle like Stillness Speaks, A New Earth and The Sun Will Also Die and establishing a habit of being in the present moment.
I listened to those books over and over on my mp3 player while out walking, while riding the bus and so on. This had two big benefits: I was very focused on his advice and it popped up in my head during the day which made it easier to stay aware of though patterns and Tolle became a sort positive influence in my weekly life. Just like a friend can influence you with his/her positive, negative or ambitious attitude and vibe.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

RainyMood.com

RainyMood.com
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
—John Keats

Saturday, May 8, 2010

My new birds....Gracie and George!

I got new birdies!!  George on the right it a love bird and Gracie on the left is a Quaker Parrot....I have lots to learn about birds....but so far so good!  They are pretty freaked out...as I just got them last night.  They will be my art gallery birds...and live here at the gallery!  I love them already...Gracie gives kisses and mimicks my laugh which is pretty funny!  Do I really sound like that when I laugh??!!  Quakers are usually big talkers but since the previous owner hasnt worked with her too much...she doesnt talk yet...she will!  And sing....too!!  Apparently they can learn whole songs!  Cant wait...what a fun journey this will be!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Yummy! I love Bananas Foster!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Bananas Foster Pancakes

Bananas Foster Pancakes

A while ago I caramelized some bananas for use in huevos motulenos and they were so good that they have been on my mind since. I noticed that I had some over ripe bananas in the freezer that were crying out to be used and I was thinking that I could kill to birds with one stone in the form of banana pancakes topped with caramelized bananas. For a recipe, I went with a pretty basic banana pancake recipe and I added some bananas caramelized in butter and brown sugar to top the pancakes. As I thought about it, the bananas caramelized in butter and brown sugar sounded an awful lot like the beginnings of bananas foster and all I would really need to do to finish it off was to add a splash of dark rum which I decided to do. The bananas foster pancakes turned out so fantastically well! The pancakes were nice and light and fluffy and had the amazing aroma and flavour of bananas all by themselves but then they topped them with even more banana-y goodness. I am glad that I decided to add the rum as brown sugar does not dissolve into butter all that well and as soon as I added the rum the sugar disolved and the whole thing turned into a beautifully thick syrup that was just packed with flavour! Note: Bananas foster is typically finished by igniting the alcohol but I chose to omit this step. :)

Bananas Foster Pancakes

(makes 2 servings, 6 pancakes)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
2 overripe bananas (peeled and mashed)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 dashes of cinnamon
2 ripe bananas (peeled and sliced)
2 ounces dark rum

Directions:
1. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Mix the milk, egg, sugar, butter and bananas in another bowl.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients making sure to not over mix.
4. Heat a pan and melt a touch of butter in it.
5. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan and heat until the surface starts to bubble and the bottom is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until the bottom is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Repeat 5 more times.
7. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan.
8. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and let it come to a simmer.
9. Add the bananas and cook until caramelized on both sides.
10. Add the rum and simmer for a minute.