كعكة الزعفران والكمثرى وزيت الزيتون
American
- Grind the saffron with 1 tsp of sugar and place it in a small jar. Add the warm water and cover with a lid and leave it at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Grease and flour a 22cm round cake tin.
- To make the purée, peel, core and roughly chop 400g (approx. 2-3) pears.
- Toss in the lemon juice and place in a non-stick pan, with the butter, 40g of sugar and the salt.
- Cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the pears start releasing their juices. The juices will start evaporating as you keep cooking and stirring, eventually leaving the caramelised sticky pear pieces.
- Place the pears in a blender and blitz until smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Finely slice 150g pears (approx. 1-2) and arrange on a plate, place in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until slightly cooked and pliable. You may have to do this in batches. Set aside to cool completely.
- To make the syrup, place all the ingredients for it in a small pot or pan and place over a medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, combine the steeped saffron, oil, eggs and 260g of the remaining sugar and beat on high until pale and fluffy. Mix in the pear purée.
- Sieve in the flour, salt, baking powder and mixed spice. Mix until smooth and combined.
- Pour the batter into the tin, then arrange the pear slices on top.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a skewer placed in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for 30 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter.
- Drizzle the saffron syrup over the cake and serve with a dollop of yoghurt.
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