Savoury Italian Polenta Cake

SERVES
+10 +10
Savoury Italian Polenta Cake
Main ingredients
  • Vegetables
Ingredients
Method

Ingredients

Savoury cake
  • 225g fine grade polenta or cornmeal
  • 125g plain flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 115g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 100g mixed pitted green and black olives, drained and halved
  • 100g sun blush tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 3 large eggs
  • 500ml buttermilk
  • 70g butter, melted
  • 70g butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons pesto
Topping
  • 300g soft cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon pesto
  • 20 small sprigs fresh basil
  • 2 sun blush tomatoes, cut into thin strips
  • 4 pitted black olives, cut into thin strips

  • Method

  • 1
    Pre-heat the oven 200⁰C/180⁰C fan/Gas Mark 6.
  • 2
    Line the base of a Le Creuset Springform Cake Tin with baking paper and set to one side.
  • 3
    Combine the polenta, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  • 4
    Measure the buttermilk into a 1 litre capacity jug, add the eggs, melted butter and pesto and whisk together.
  • 5
    Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. Stir in the grated cheese, olives and tomatoes.
  • 6
    Pour the mixture into the prepared springform tin and bake for 30 minutes until the centre is firm and the top is golden brown.
  • 7
    Allow the cake to cool in the tin before removing the springform and transferring the cake from the base on to a large serving plate, removing the baking paper from the base.
  • 8
    Cook's Notes:
  • 9
    This cake will keep until the next day, but is best eaten on the day of making. Store the cake covered in the refrigerator until required; if the cake has been chilled for a longer period of time allow it to stand at room temperature for ½ hour before serving for the best flavour.
  • 10
    Chilled fresh pesto often has a more vibrant green colour than the jarred, store-cupboard variety. Look for it next to the fresh pasta in the chiller cabinet.