Rose and Cardamom flavored cake made to celebrate LOVE!!
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Happy Valentine's Day people!!!
Okay, I know it isn't Valentine's Day yet, but I'm sure you
have already started planning something special for your special someone.
Right?
A lot of people shrug away Valentine's day thinking it is
only for those newly crazily in love who can't keep their hands of each other
types.
But with 10 years of relationship under my belt, I can tell you it does matter even for those
who have quietly slipped away into a routine. And maybe more than the newfound
lovers.
When Raj and I started out, we had so much to talk to each
other about, we did special things for each other, we strived to remember each other
likes and dislikes. Roses were given, chocolates too. Gifts and cards and
plushy toys. Now 10 years later, the conversation usually revolves around what
happened in the day or what is happening around the world. We already know so
much about each other, nothing is new. In a strange way that is comforting, but
there is a lack of surprise. We don't strive to remember the likes and
dislikes, because it is now etched away in the subconscious mind. Gifts have
less whimsy and more practicality. A lot of people call it the boring married
life, I too sometimes. But there is comfort in this "boredom", in
knowing there is someone who cares for you. Someone who will be there for you
when you need it.
But comfort tends to make one complacent and we miss out
appreciating each other as often as we probably should. Hence, days like
Valentine's day are required along with anniversaries and birthdays, just to
celebrate the love you have for each other.
So, I made this Persian Love Cake, a while ago just to celebrate love. I thought it
was perfect to share right around this time. It is a delicious cake made with
almond flour and flavored with middle eastern flavors like cardamom and rose.
This is then topped with citrus syrup and nuts. You can use nuts like
pistachios or almonds. Hazelnuts or cashews may be delicious too. I also added saffron to the
citrus syrup to give a more orange hue.
This cake is one of the simplest I have ever made. No
whipping, no creaming. Just mix all the dry ingredients with the wet
ingredients. Allow it to rest. Then bake it. Prepare the syrup while the cake
bakes. Brush brush brush and top with nuts. It is a simple yet flavorful cake.
My family loved it, and I hope yours does too.
I substituted half the almonds with semolina considering the cost of almonds. To get a richer and gluten-free cake, just use almonds.
You can serve this cake with whipped cream or Greek yogurt
or your favorite vanilla ice cream. Or just plain, like I did.
P.S. Not all our gifts are practical. The man got me this little fella from Thailand cause I always wanted a tiger cub!! Isn't he adorable?
If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family!
Video Recipe
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Persian Love Cake | Almond Semolina Cake
Persian love cake is an eggless rose and cardamom flavored cake made with almond flour and semolina. Brushed with orange syrup and topped with chopped nuts. Persian love cake is an eggless rose and cardamom flavored cake made with almond flour and semolina. Brushed with orange syrup and topped with chopped nuts. Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-5
Ingredients:
0.75 cup Yogurt (thick Curd)
4 Tbsp Oil
3 Tbsp Rose Water
1 tsp Cardamom Powder
0.75 cups Fine semolina (Chiroti Rava)
0.5 cups Whole Almonds or 0.75 cups Almond Flour
0.75 cup Powdered Sugar
0.25 tsp Baking Soda
0.75 tsp Baking Powder
0.75 tsp Baking Powder
1-2 Tbsp granulated Sugar
1-2 Tbsp Water
Few Saffron strands
Oil to grease the cake tin
Flour to dust the cake tin
Chopped pistachios for decoration
Dried rose petals for decoration
Method:
- In a large bowl, whisk oil, yogurt and rose water until combined.
- Add in the cardamom powder, semolina and powdered almonds.
- Add 3-4 Tbsp of the powdered sugar and mix well until combined. Add more sugar if required.
- Mix well. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celcius.
- Add the baking powder and baking soda and mix well.
- Spray the cake tin with oil or rub oil in it using paper towel or your fingers.
- Dust it with flour.
- Pour in the cake batter and bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Remove from the tin after 2-3 minutes and keep aside to cool.
- Juice the orange.
- Add sugar and 1-2 Tbsp water to a pan on stove and cook until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the orange juice and saffron.
- Boil for 3-5 minutes until the syrup thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Brush the cake with the syrup.
- Decorate with chopped pistachios or almonds and serve.
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