~ This posting is dedicated to my beloved niece, Thy Thy ~ Today, heaven has gained an angel, and I have lost a niece. Though I know we will meet again, it is never easy to say goodbye... Generally, April is a relaxing month for me—a time for me to catch up from the earlier months of baking and to prepare for the transitioning of the warmer months. I usually try to catch up on projects around the house or making new plans for the upcoming months. However, this year April has brought a different meaning to my life. I stopped everything for the last few weeks as I am trying to pick up the pieces of my heart, and to allow myself to accept this new concept to sink in—the concept of losing a loved one. It is very difficult. I am going to take a moment to share about my niece who has recently passed away, so unexpectedly that there was no time for those last goodbyes. It was so sudden that I could not digest the news immediately. It has been more than two weeks and I still cannot accept that this world no longer has her in it. Thy was 5 years younger than me, and a first born of my father’s first nephew. We grew up together in the same neighborhood for the short four years. I could still remember that she was just a short-haired, 4 year-old little girl when my family left Vietnam to search for opportunities in the new land of America. I did not grow up with her, but we were re-united 3-4 times when I came back to visit my homeland. The most recent visit was just before I got married in 2010, which was also the last time I saw her (of course I did not know this). I can still recall the last lunch we had together more than 8 years ago, and the conversation she had with my husband about some computer problems later that night. She called me by my nickname "Co Nha" which means "Auntie." Although we were not extremely close, partly due to the thousands of miles apart, we started to chat online more often after she got married and had her first born. She usually sought out to consult me questions about newborn struggles, side effects of medications, and recommendations for medical problems. And just a few months ago, I was just telling with her about staying at her new house the next time I come back for a visit. Another thing I'd remember of her was that she’s a big fan of my son, as she often called him “Hot Boy” on Facebook. I am disappointed that he will never get to meet her in person. I was caught off guard when I was informed about her death via a text from my cousin. The culprit could possibly be from a medication over-dose. We probably won’t ever learn the truth about her death; not that it is the most important thing at this time as seeking for the truth won't bring her back to life. I grieved her death slowly over the days and still could not wrap my head around what had happened. I was definitely sad when I learned about the news, but I did not shed a tear until a few days later. Her sudden death made me realize life is indeed too short and tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone—something we oftentimes taken for granted until it is too late. My heart aches every single time I think about the people she has left behind: an almost 3-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, and a husband of 5-year marriage—a perfect life anyone would yearn for…. And I will always remember her as sweet, kind, smart, successful and well liked person. Since her death, I look at life through a different lens. I frequently feel guilty for the “happiness” feeling I have each time I am with my family, knowing that her family is no longer completed. I feel connected to her beyond the thousand miles apart, because not only she was blood but also a wife and a mother of two young kids. I cannot offer any words of sympathy to her family for I will never understand the tremendous loss and pain they are going through at this time. I will never comprehend the emotions surpassing them at this moment. I can only live my life a little fuller, trying to show appreciation to my loved ones every day and to “actually live” one day at a time. Well, enough sad stuff. Now, back to this posting. I have been craving for some citric kick fruits, but I couldn't find any lemon left in the house. I looked around and found some juicy and sweet tangerine fruits lying on the encounter, and it hit me. I could have a delicious sweet in no time. I didn't plan to bake this, but it all came out so irresistible that I had to have it for breakfast the following morning. As the summer is upon us, I will be incorporating as many of these flavorful fruits into my baking for the "healthier version" of cakes, as possible. PREPARING FOR INGREDIENTS In a large mixing bowl, I whisk together sour cream, granulated sugar and eggs for about 2 minutes or until well-combined. I add oil into the mixture and whisk for another 1 minute. Then, I add tangerine zest, tangerine juice and vanilla extract and whisk gently for about 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth. Next I add all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt into the wet mixture and whisk for another 1 minute, or until lightly combined. Do NOT over-mix at this stage as your bread may be more dense and chewy. It is fine to have a tiny lumps in the batter. Pour the batter in the prepared baking pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about 55-60 minutes, or until the bread is golden and a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. I set the bread on the side to cool for about 1 hour while I prepare for the glaze. MAKING TANGERINE GLAZE I am amazed at how easily a glaze can be made. I never knew it is this easy. In a clean small mixing bowl, I mix together powdered sugar and tangerine juice and whisk together until combined. I add in vanilla extract and a bit of half and half milk to lighten the color up. I whisk the mixture again for about 1-2 minutes or until I achieve the desired consistency. You can add more tangerine juice if you like your glaze to be thin, or add more powdered sugar if you prefer a thicker and sweeter glaze. I like mine a bit thinner and less sweet. ASSEMBLING GLAZED TANGERINE BREAD Drizzle the tangerine glaze over the entire loaf of bread. You can do this in any way you like. I want to cover the entire top of the loaf, so spread the glaze over with a spoon and drizzle it down on the sides of the bread as well. Does that look delicious?! My mouth is still watering from just looking at these pictures. Anytime when you're craving for something quick and super easy, do not skip out of this treat. I don't think you can find anything easier than making this bread. xoxo, Tristina ~ Thy, I know you are in a happier place now and you are looking over for all of us. We will always remember you as a kind girl with a big heart and a beautiful smile. You will be missed every day! Love you. ~Co Nha Glazed Tangerine Bread RecipeMake: one 9 x 5-inch loaf Total time: 1.5 hours Ingredients Loaf
Tangerine Glaze
Instructions Loaf
Tangerine Glaze
*This Glazed Tangerine Bread recipe is adapted from Averie Cooks. COPYRIGHT © 2018 - SUGAR & PEARLS ~ CAKE DESIGNS BY TRISTINA
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This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of CookiesAboutTristina TiepNhu Nguyen is a pharmacist by weekday and a baker by weekend. She is also a wife and a mother of two children. Free Cake Tutorials!Sign up for my newsletter and you will be the first to know about my new recipes and cake tutorials!
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