I watched Alex Honnold scale El Cap again last night and enjoyed it even more the second time; I think I might have been holding my breath through the entire first viewing of Free Solo (even knowing the outcome, this film is seriously compelling).
I’m even more captivated by Honnold’s character though than his climb.
What does it look like to be so okay with who you are that you’re able to live your life to the ultimate limits, even when others misunderstand you. What does it take to be so even minded and settled in your being that uncompromising honesty is the only honorable path. I think it looks and feels a lot like freedom.
Of course, it might also have something to do with his amygdala; the amazing wiring (and rewiring) of our beautifully complex brains.
Deep thoughts on a Saturday morning. Best resolved over a slice of pear bread.
This fragrant cardamom infused bread will seduce you with its crispy crunchy exterior and moist interior.
Plus, the pear slices on top really make me happy.
Happy weekend friends ♥
- 1 scant cup pear purée (from 225 g chopped pear - about 2 medium sized pear) + pear slices to garnish top
- ¼ cup (50 g) olive oil
- ¼ cup (65 g) maple syrup
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup (90 g) brown rice flour
- ¼ cup (24 g) almond flour
- 2 Tbsp tapioca flour/starch (or arrowroot)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- pinch salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Cut pear away from core (I left skin on) and transfer chunks (minus seeds) to a small blender. Pulse until the pear is fully broken down and resembles purée (small chunks are fine, you could also opt to leave it chunkier, as preferred).
- In a large bowl, combine: pear purée, olive oil and maple syrup.
- In a separate bowl, combine: brown rice flour, almond flour, tapioca, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger.
- Add egg to wet mixture (oil/maple bowl) whisking to combine. Add dry ingredients to wet, hand mixing just until combined without over mixing.
- Pour batter in a greased loaf pan (I used 9" x 4" silicone pan) tapping the pan down to settle batter evenly. You can leave as is or add a few slices pear to the top for decoration - aim for about ⅛" thickness - thin enough to not weigh down the batter but not so thin that it burns.
- Carefully place the loaf in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes (depending on the heat of your oven) until golden brown and just firm to the touch when tapped.
- Remove loaf and allow it to cool on a rack for 10 minutes before unmolding. Once unmolded allow the loaf to cool again for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy with a pad of butter if you wish! x
Sweetness: The riper the pears, the sweeter the loaf. I found this loaf amply sweet so just a touch of maple syrup works for our taste but you can adjust according to your own preference.
Gluten-Free Flours: I chose the combination of flours for their texture - the baked exterior of this loaf results in an irresistibly crispy crust (with a beautifully moist interior).
The Pear Slices: I used a mandolin, but you could also use a knife to cut thin slices so you don't weigh down the batter too much (gluten-free flours are already challenged on the rise).
Free Solo was a great documentary but at times, so very hard to watch. I was amused to see that one of the camera men couldn’t even watch at times. What an amazing young man!
Any bread with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger is a winner in my book. I’ve never made a pear bread before and yours is such an inspiration. So very pretty Kelly!
Oh, that movie. I have no inclination to climb rocks or cliffs, and many of those young men have died, which is so sad. I guess you die doing what you love? Alex has since married the young woman who stuck by him, which is really sweet. Anyway, this is a fabulous bread. Cardamom is kind of underused.
hiiii Mimi… it’s funny, the first time i saw the movie, Honnold was rubbing me the wrong way but as i sat with that feeling i realized just how unfamiliar the ruthless pursuit of individualism is; especially for women who are deeply socialized to be pleasers, this level of clarity is really foreign territory and quite confronting. Of course being in a relationship with him would be a whole other level of realism :) Sanni is a gift in her own right.
Seriously beautiful! The pear slices baked into this pretty loaf make me happy too. Is that a netflix show?
thank you Eva! Free solo is a documentary film made by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (released in 2018) — a national geographic production that’s available for rent or purchase on most major streaming services. Happy Sunday, x