Saffron Nut and Orange Cake

 Semolina and Saffron Cake with Nut and Orange

This cake is simple and delicious. It tastes wonderful when warm with a dollop of fresh cream, a scoop of fresh yogurt drizzled with orange and saffron or on its own.

It is a cake that needs no gadgets - Just a spoon and two bowls!

Preheat oven to 350F/ 180C

Prepare an 8 inch pan with parchment and butter

¾ cup walnuts

1/ 4th cup semolina

3/ 4th cup light brown sugar

1 ½ tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

4 eggs, at room temperature

3/ 4th cup safflo oil

Zest of 2 oranges – divided in two

Juice of two oranges

1/ 3rd cup icing sugar

A generous pinch of saffron threads

1/ 2 cup thick yogurt

 

Step 1

Toast the walnuts and grind finely.

In a bowl mix the dry ingredients nuts, semolina, brown sugar, baking powder and salt

Step 2

In a bowl using a wooden spoon, mix till smooth - do not over beat, the eggs, oil and half the orange zest. Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.

 

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 22 minutes till slightly wobbly in the center.

 

Sauce

 In a pan boil for 12 minutes till sticky, the orange juice and remaining zest with the icing sugar. Add a generous pinch of saffron threads. Pour over the baked cake.

Save a few teaspoons of the sauce to swirl into the yogurt. Eat the cake warm serving the yogurt on the side.

 Photograph courtesy of Sheriar Hirjikaka