I did not make resolutions for the new year because somewhere along the course of the year, I feel they change for me. Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learnt over time is that with some minor adjustments, a bit of flexibility and a wee bit of make-do, life becomes a lot easier to embrace. Flexibility means along with the expected you also make room for the unexpected things in your life, both good and bad. And in doing so, you save yourself from a few let-downs and disappointments. The world becomes a happier a place to live in.
I have decided to adopt a ‘take it as it comes’ approach to both life, in general and blogging. There will be days when meringues will crack..I will not fret. I will make an Eton Mess instead. Lava cakes may turn out over-baked…I will enjoy them as puddings. If l can’t pipe pretty swirls around life, then so be it. I will learn to have fun with dollops. Dollops aren’t perfect…you can’t weigh or measure them. That’s why they are dollops and we love them.
Uh..well, think I could do with a sugar fix at the moment.
These friands are the simplest things to bake. Easy, uncomplicated and quite forgiving. Flexible, in other words.
All you need is a bowl to mix. If you do not have friand moulds (I have used oval ones), bake them in muffin pans or mini loaf pans. You can use honey or golden syrup instead of maple syrup and your own choice of fruits or berries if you like.
Try them, they taste great!
Apple and Maple Friands (Financiers)
Yields 12
1 cup almond meal (ground almonds) or any nut meal of your choice
3/4 cup plain flour, sifted
1/2 tsp baking powder
11/4 cup icing sugar
6 egg whites
125 g unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 cup peeled, cored and chopped apples
2 apples, cored and thinly sliced to place on top of the friand
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Place the almond meal, flour, baking powder, icing sugar, egg whites, butter, maple syrup and chopped apples in a bowl and whisk until combined. Divide the mixture into friand pans/friand moulds or muffin pans (till half full) Place a few sliced apples on top of each mould. Push slightly into the batter so that the apples are enclosed within the friand batter. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the friands are golden and cooked through. Using a palette knife, loosen the edges and remove the friands from the tins immediately. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Just like you, resolutions aren’t for me and its go with the flow, adjust, adapt and work my way through for the good and the misery.
I can’t pronouns the name of this recipe neither I am aware of it. All I can say is that its pretty, inviting and another high sugar rush.
Things happen…Just as life, some are not perfect…It’s fine! I cannot even count how many trials and errors occurred in my kitchen so far. This is how we learn and mature. I love the first photo food styling!!!! Have a blessed, relaxing weekend, Sonali! xx
That’s the beauty of life! I’ve learnt to not control it because it invariably leads to disappointment! I’m trying the incredibly laid back approach these days
Laid back with a few of these friands is just my kind of day 
They look like a perfect mouthful.
Yum your financiers looks great. I did not know the English word for them before.And I agree with your philosophy above. I do have some posts I label as FAIL, they can be fun to post.
i’m always looking for healthy desserts. this looks great!
These look so special with the apple slices on top. I just baked up a couple of financiers for breakfast this morning. I love them and grab the chance to bake some when I have leftover egg whites. I love to stuff them with chestnut cream but branching out to fresh fruit like this is great inspiration. And I’m with you – need to have fun and realize things do not have to be perfect!