Dessert: Abraco's Honey Saffron Cake

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
8 2/3 ounces evaporated cane juice ( sugar)
1/3 cup medium ground cornmeal
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch saffron (10 to 12 threads)
1 cup Greek olive oil
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
1 egg
1/2 cup roughly chopped pistachios
1/2 teaspoon flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

Instructions

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease or line a 9-inch loaf pan or 9-inch round cake pan with parchment. Combine the flour, evaporated cane juice, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt and saffron threads in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to distribute evenly. Make a well in the center and add the olive oil, milk, sour cream and egg. Starting in the center, break the egg yolks with a whisk and slowly whisk in a circle drawing in more dry ingredients. Continue whisking until all the wets and dries have been well combined. Use a spatula to gently fold the batter and make sure there are no flour spots. Pour the batter into the greased pan. Top with the pistachios and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. For the syrup: Meanwhile, combine 1 cup water, the sugar and saffron in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then turn down the heat to simmer for 8 minutes. Stir in honey and simmer again for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. When the cake is done, poke evenly distributed holes in the cake using a skewer or fork. Pour the syrup over the cake and let it sit until room temperature. Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
NotesThis recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.