The Last Days {Raspberry & Rosemary Cornbread}


I worry that if we go home tomorrow, me and Nelle, this will be the last time we see her. It's like we're in a car speeding past things {beautiful things}, and I want to STOP and have a look, but they're already gone. Woosh. All that's left is a glimmer in my memory, and I wasn't even paying attention properly. Shit.

We've already passed the last carrot cake, the last American diner. The last sleepover in Nelle's room, giggling past bedtime. The last Christmas dinner {whatever time it happens}. The last search for hidden treasures at the op-shop. Gone, gone, gone. It's not supposed to go this fast. Can I reconstruct those memories, out of my peripheral vision?

And my daughter? I hope she's been watching carefully, taking snapshots of Grammy to carry into womanhood with her. To help her become the person she's becoming already. Strong, witty, compassionate.

Sometimes these last days, sadness creeps up into me like a damp cold. And so, I have to bake ... It warms me up, reminds me of happinesses {like butter, and family}.
Be warm.
Amanda xx

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Raspberry and Rosemary Cornbread
makes 1 loaf

Rosemary and raspberry is one of my favourite new combinations - conceived in a salad dressing and only just finding its way into my baking repertoire. This is only slightly sweet, making it perfect for morning or afternoon teas, breakfast, or even {with some whipped cream or ice cream} dessert.

The time
10 min prep + 45 min baking + 10 min cooling

The ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup self-raising flour
2 Tbs raw sugar
1/2 Tbs minced fresh rosemary
1 cup milk
1 organic (~60g) egg
2 Tbs olive oil {or melted butter}
1 cup frozen raspberries {or substitute fresh if you're lucky!}

*Try to use organic when you can!


The process
1. Preheat the oven to 160C (325F) and line a small loaf pan with baking paper.

2. Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl. There's probably some logical reason why you should do it in a particular order, but as often as not I just throw things in as I remember or retrieve them. This recipe's pretty resilient to that kind of slack behaviour.

3. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and pop into the preheated oven for ~45 minutes {but start checking at 30 min ... I don't know about you, but the setting for 160C on my oven is verrrrry close to the 180C}. It's done when golden and firm and when a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove from the oven, let it cool, and slice into thick, butter-worthy pieces.

The cost
Ah, cornmeal is one of our thrifty faves! And rosemary? Once you get a rosemary plant going in your garden, you're going to have more than you know what to do with. Frozen organic raspberries are expensive, but nice - and even made all-organic this loaf will still only cost $4.50 or so.

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Sarah,
      It's such a confusing time full of all sorts of feelings ... A good time to get them out I think :)

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  2. Sending you 3 super hugs and bunches of love. I've got snapshots of Grammy with me too. x

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    Replies
    1. Steph, you know how much Grammy loved you all! We all had some good laughs, didn't we :) xx

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  3. We loved your last loaf recipe so I think we'll try this one too. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kori! I think you'll love it, in all the ways it's different from the quinoa loaf. Mmmmmmm ....

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  4. Le sigh...I can remember feeling the same way when I spent my last few days with my Busia (Polish for Grammy). I can still feel her soft cheek and hear her voice. Now, she's dancing and playing cards with everyone who went on before and followed after. Such a party going on up there! :) I'll be sure to tell her to leave an open seat...

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  5. I'm sorry that you are all having to say goodbye to Grammy. Sometimes the circle of life can be pretty hard to maneuver. Sending you a big virtual hug.

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  6. I think of my grams often and remember knowing the visit would be the last time - it is so important to spend and appreciate the moments!

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  7. Theresa, Paula, cd,
    Thank you. You know, she left this world knowing she was loved, and having shown us in so many ways that she loved us. It's not quite so sad I think. She'll be missed, yes, but our time with her was so beautiful.

    So thank you for sharing your hugs and memories, and Theresa - better warn your Busia this lady's a cheeky one! ;)

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  8. Oh honey, I can relate. Big hugs to all of you. xxxx

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  9. Amanda, she's already had the seat warming and enjoying her company! It's the cheeky ones who get the best seats in the house. Good thing that's all they've got available up there. Thanks so much for reviving memories...much adored. xx

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  10. I've been enjoying your posts by email for awhile, and the one about love notes that I read today made me teary..
    Just popped by to ask whether the cornmeal is gritty polenta, or soft ground cornmeal flour?

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Thanks for commenting! Amandaxx