Darling clementines are now in season. To celebrate here in New York City, Fresh Direct is offering a free 5lb box of clementines with every order. Just enter code JUICY when you check out.
Also, almond meal is now available at Trader Joe's for just $3.49 a pound. Almond meal is often sold for twice that or more. In case you go hunting for it like I did, in NYC's 14th Street Trader Joe's almond meal is available on the bottom shelf of the nuts section, not in the baking section.
Put these two special ingredients together to make Nigella Lawson's Christmas Clementine Cake. Here's the recipe.
that clementine cake is TO DIE FOR. not too sweet, but with the beautiful spicyness of orange peel. yum yum yum. easy to make, rich and dense and just lovely.
Clementines are also great on their own--about the size of a tangerine with a skin that zips off just as easily, but without the annoying seeds. And such a great taste! But their season is a short one, so get 'em while you can.
i forgot to mention in the above post - that I also made the clementine cake with hazelnut meal, also from trader joes. just as delicious as almond.
Wow, that's a great TJ's deal! I'm so happy I get to make my annual trip there this week...
This is a great cake - very unique. Also perfect for non-gluten eating people. I really like to serve it with this spiced wine syrup:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/109087
It works well because the syrup cooks while the clementines simmer, and the flavors work together perfectly.
yeah... that cake IS to DIE FOR. no doubt about. don't let the weird preparation (boiling and blenderizing whole oranges) put you off. a MUST try.
I have to say that I'm underwhelmed... I made this last night to use up some clementines. The cake was much heavier than I expected, and extremely rich. It did have a good flavor, but really needs a beverage with it to help wash it down.
But it made the house smell fantastically orangey while the clementines simmered.
I've made Nigella's cake twice already...rave reviews from all. First time was with poached (boiled) clementines, as per the recipe. The second time I was in a hurry so I just nuked the clems in a covered glass bowl (i used a pyrex with the lid popped open) in the microwave for 8 minutes after I punctured them with fork, did it 2 minutes at a time, turning them around in the bowl. Worked just as well. I ground the almonds in a mini cuisinart, next time I'll try ground almond meal. Don't have a beater so gave the eggs a whiz in mini-cuis also. Lined the springform pan with parchement paper on bottom and sides
I (and the people I served this to) thought it was great! No one could believe it was a flourless cake! I ate it a full day after I made it to help the richness of flavor, as the recipe recommends. It was super moist! I food processed slivered almonds to make the ground almonds and that worked out fine, too-- gave the cake a little added texture. It makes a good breakfast cake; not too heavy. No topping necessary. I think a creme fraiche topping might be nice if served as an evening dessert.