Modern classics

Boiled mandarin cakes with chocolate olive oil ganache

MAKES 9 MINI CAKES

Thank goodness for citrus season. When the early spring days are short, these little pops of orange and yellow bring a welcome freshness to the kitchen. The mandarin tree gifted by my father for my daughter’s fifth birthday is now earning its keep, with the branches heavy with fruit in early spring. A fruit tree really is a gift that keeps on giving.

INGREDIENTS

3–4 medium mandarins
3 free-range eggs
3 Tbsp honey or ¼ cup sugar
¾ cup plain white flour – wheat, spelt, or gluten-free flour mix
½ cup LSA (see right) or ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda

CHOCOLATE OLIVE OIL GANACHE

80g dark chocolate, broken into pieces2 tsp olive