Moringa is called a miracle tree in India due to its nutritional properties. This cake, which involves moringa powder, is as delicious as it is attractive. You could eat it for breakfast or an afternoon chai. It can also be toasted and served for dessert with whipped cream and blueberries. Oil-based cakes are more moist than butter based cakes and this one keeps for about 3 to 4 days at room temperature, with its flavors only improving over time.
Makes 1 loaf
ingredients
155 grams all purpose flour
100 grams cane sugar, plus more for preparing the pan
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried moringa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon finely ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 large eggs
140 grams olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest of one orange
155 grams plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably homemade
instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease a small 8 by 4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle sugar over it and tap the excess off.
Combine all purpose flour, sugar, herbs, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt and whisk them together and set them aside.
In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat eggs, olive oil, and vanilla together until a pale lemon color, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange zest.
Next add the dry ingredients alternating with plain yogurt until fully combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Pour batter into the greased loaf pan and bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
notes & variations
When using dry herbs, don’t limit yourself to moringa or parsley — experiment with dried basil, mint or matcha. Just be sure the dried herbs are bright green in color.
This cake can also be prepared in a shallow baking pan.
Replace the cardamom with cinnamon or nutmeg, just be cautious of the quantity so that it does not muddy the bright green color of the cake.
Yogurt gives the cake a tangy flavor but can easily be replaced with milk, heavy cream or coconut milk for a milder flavor.
A Houston, Texas source of moringa is Finca Tres Robles Farm.
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