My mum and dad named their first-born daughter “Felicia”, and by definition, my name literally means “happy one”.
I suppose that explains my optimistic personality and predisposition to see the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. It probably also is the reason why I constantly look at the brighter side of life, trying to search for the silver lining in every situation I may find myself in.
Sometimes people tell me I’m too positive (as if it were a bad thing), but I try to take these comments as compliments instead of criticism.
I’m a sociable introvert, I’d like to believe.
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I love to mix with all kinds of people – old friends, strangers and new acquaintances all excite me. I truly enjoy hearing other people tell their stories, about where they come from and the lives they lead, in the same way that I feel at ease telling them about mine.
Yet at the same time, the introvert in me likes to curl up under the covers with just a good book and hot tea for company; other times, I like to be enshrouded in complete silence, my thoughts flowing as easily from me to the page I’m writing on.
I’m not one prone to sudden outbursts of tears nor am I one to let things overwhelm me.
Yet last Thursday, in the calm of my apartment with the TV on, I found myself giving in uncontrollably to a bout of tears that I honestly had no idea were coming.
It had been a stressful and relatively high-strung week – a combination of many different factors – and without proper rest over the past weekend, the salty tears flowed down my cheeks, nature’s way of saying that it’s ok to let it all out.
I’d been feeling overwhelmed with the endless activities that were being planned, the feeling of obligation to attend events that I had no energy for, homesickness, friendships that were being strained and the difficulties of being an expatriate in a land that is no longer foreign but still isn’t mine.
It was a tough day to have, but thankfully, my wonderful friend Mechi called and we had a conversation that could brighten up any soul.
On difficult days like these, it’s so easy to see the bad, the negative and sink into a vicious cycle of self-pity and complaint. It’s also ridiculously easy to stay down and to feel ungrateful.
My friend Anna from The Yellow Table had written a post on choosing joy and gratitude, and as I read her wise words on Friday afternoon, I let it sink in that our joy comes from God, the one who doesn’t change, ever, and if we focus on Him and choose joy, we can be joyful despite the circumstance.
In her beautiful words, “Just like practicing gratitude is something you have to decide to do, joy is something you decide to put on, like a favorite pair of shoes.” (Thank you dear, sweet Anna. You deserve a Nobel Peace prize my friend, in my opinion at least.)
I will choose joy and I will choose gratitude.
I will be thankful for friends like Mechi and Anna and being able to have the things I enjoy. I will be glad that I am able to experience being in a foreign land and exploring new things all the time.
I will choose to appreciate my colleagues even if work is stressful and I sometimes wish I worked in a larger firm.
I will give thanks that it is Spring, and that it is beautiful here in Buenos Aires.
I will place my faith in God, my provider, and hang onto His written word –
“‘For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,’ says the Lord…’Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” – Jer 29:11
I will be thankful, for this wonderful space that I have to share my thoughts, to share recipes like this moist, lemon ricotta bread that has been my breakfast the entire week. I will be grateful for you dear friends, who read about the stories I tell, week after week. Thank you so much.
And instead of only searching for the light, I will be the light I want to see in the world.
Be blessed.
Gluten-free Lemon Ricotta Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Moist, gluten-free lemon ricotta bread that makes for a citrusy and filling breakfast or a tea-time snack.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature, and a bit more for greasing the pan
- 1/2 cup white rice flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch
- 1/2 cup corn flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (less than 1 lemon)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 deg Fahrenheit (180 deg Cel)
- Grease a large loaf pan with butter, and line pans with baking paper.
- In a bowl, mix the rice flour, tapioca starch, corn flour, baking powder and salt together. Stir to blend.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, ricotta, and sugar together with an electric beater until well blended. (Don’t worry if there are visible bits of butter or that the batter is not completely smooth).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and keep mixing.
- Add vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice and mix some more until well combined.
- Incorporate the dry mixture a bit at a time, until you finally get a homogeneous batter.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, and bake for around 1 hour 10 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).
- Let the lemon ricotta bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to cool completely.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Adapted from: Alexandra Cooks (http://www.alexandracooks.com/2013/05/07/lemon-ricotta-pound-cake-%E2%80%A2-mothers-day-%E2%80%A2-handmade-accordion-book/)
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: Gluten-free
Hey Felicia! I made this cake 2 times before with success and it was very good. This time it didn’t work and the cake was undercooked after one hour of baking. What do you think went wrong? 🙁 did i over beat it maybe? Also can i replace the ricotta with another thing because i can’t always find it.
Thank you a lot!
Hi Hiba! Do you think it might be possible that you used more eggs than stated in the recipe? Since the first two times turned out well, it could you that you added too much liquid or too little dry ingredients this time (assuming you’re using the same oven as before etc).
I just made this today, it is Delicious! Moist and just the right amount of lemon. I used 1 1/2c gluten free flour blend that I had on hand and only 1c sugar. Thanks for a great recipe!
Hey Priscilla! I’m so glad you liked it! Great tip on reducing the sugar too! 🙂 Have a great week ahead!
Hi Felicia, can substitute the corn flour with another kind a flour?? thank you
Hi Barbara! Thanks for dropping by! I’m guessing you can substitute the corn flour with either a bit more tapioca flour or rice flour. Hope you like the lemon ricotta bread, and that the substitution turns out well!
I clicked on this recipe in Pinterest and started to read your posting before it. From the first sentence I could relate and then as I read on, down through to where you describe yourself as a social introvert, it was like you were telling my story. Reading on to the part about Choosing Joy and gratitude….I have a friend who writes a blog called Choosing Joy. Also…the reason we choose joy and gratitude is so beautifully explained by your further words….and I discover we are sisters in Christ. I will see you one day, even though we will never meet on this earth. We are bound by a common knowledge and love of our Savior. It always amazes me that I can find another, so like me in many ways, yet in a very different place in life. I live in the Northeast corner of the US, in Maine. A wife, mother and grandmother. I have felt all those feelings you talk about in your “melt down” moment. AND……I’m going to love this Lemon Ricotta Bread! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing your heart and your recipe!
★★★★
Pam, thank you for your kind, kind, words. I’m so glad to virtually meet you too, and it amazes me as well that we “met” even though you are from another country and we might never actually meet in real life! The Internet is amazing isn’t it? Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, and for reading! It really means to world to me when I get a note just like yours! Have a wonderful week, and I hope you’ll come back to the site another time! 🙂
Made this a couple of weeks ago and have been meaning to let it be known that it was easy to make and super tasty!!
Hey Linda!! Thanks for dropping by and letting me know how the lemon ricotta bread turned out!! So glad you liked it!
Just leaving a note here to say how much I enjoy reading your writing Fel. Some paragraphs I reread 2-3 times just appreciating how well the words came together to make up the phrases which formed your sentences.
“a land that is no longer foreign but still isn’t mine.” resonates deep.
“And instead of only searching for the light, I will be the light I want to see in the world.” This one uplifted me.
Much love xx
ps cake is looking moist and delicious! 🙂
Hey Mel! You are the sweetest 🙂 thank you for reading and for your support!! Are you still in London? do you miss home alot too? I will be back in SG next year (not sure if for CNY or some other thing, but we must meet up if you’re back!)
Hi Felicia,
I just stopped by to compliment your photos of this dish…
Very nice arrangement, and I believe nice bread as well.
Hi Jasmin, thanks so much for your sweet comment. Have a wonderful week ahead!
Hi Felicia, lovely blog! Glad I stumbled upon it. I love your quote – be the light I want to see in the world. I totally relate to your story. I live abroad away from my family and I have a busy life and sometimes I do feel overwhelmed with everything that’s going on. I’ve been getting up early to do 10 minutes of just ‘me’ time; journaling, meditating, praying,etc. It has helped me a lot in managing my stress in my day to day life, starting the day with ‘me’ being aware of my thoughts and feelings before I get on with doing stuff for ‘other’ people, if that makes sense. xxx Keren
Hi Keren! Thanks so much for dropping by and for sharing a bit of your life with me. I think I might try what you do – taking a few minutes in the day for “me” time, and then when I’m aware of my thoughts and feelings, get on with doing things for others. Thanks for such a solid piece of advice! <3
Not only does this lemon and ricotta bread look delicious, moist and full of flavour.. it is SO beautifully captured as well. Pinned!
So much of this post resonated with me. Thank you so much for writing this my dear.
Going through a torrid spell – long hours at work where I’m pulled in all directions, the intensity, stress, lack of sleep and all of those fears tormenting my head has made me feel like I’d just slept walk through the last couple of weeks w a cloud over my head.
This reminder to choose joy and gratitude first cannot be more timely. Thank you for encouraging me to let God lead and to trust in Him and His plans for me.
I miss you so much dear, and those honest conversations that we have that can run into hours. You are very very special, and i’m so sorry to hear you had a terrible Thursday. For everything there is a season… And He will make all things beautiful in His time. I wish I could run over to yr place and give you a tight hug in person. Sending a lot of love from this part of the world 🙂
With all my love,
Jin xx
My dearest Jh!! So glad we had the heart-to-heart chat. I hope things make a turn for the better soon. Love you so much friend!!
MUCH MUCH LOVE.
flea.
So pretty!! I can’t wait to try this. It looks amazing! Love this post 🙂
★★★★★
Hey Becky!! Thanks dear! Was playing around with the wooden crate as a new prop! I really like the rustic look it gives! 🙂 Hope you’re well my friend!! <3