Helen Goh's parsnip, apple and lime loaf cake

Name: Helen Goh's parsnip, apple and lime loaf cake
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6-8
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 180g plain flour; ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp ground ginger; ¼ tsp salt; 2 large eggs; 90g soft light brown sugar; 90g castor sugar; 160ml sunflower oil; ½ tsp vanilla essence; 180g grated parsnip (2 medium parsnips); 150g peeled and cored apple (2 small granny smiths), in 1cm dice; zest of 2 limes (save the limes for garnish)

Helen Goh

May 18, 2020

Parsnip, apple and lime loaf cake decorated with 'filleted' lime segments (optional). William Meppem

Time:1-2 hoursServes:6-8

This flavour combination might seem unusual, but it really works. Parsnips take on a sweet, earthy flavour when cooked, while the apples and lime zest add brightness. Omit the lime garnish if it is too much of a faff for you, but let me just say that it is a quietly satisfying thing to do – and will take this humble-looking loaf (or indeed any dish) to another level with its pretty colour and presentation.

Ingredients

180g plain flour
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp salt
2 large eggs
90g soft light brown sugar
90g castor sugar
160ml sunflower oil
½ tsp vanilla essence
180g grated parsnip (2 medium parsnips)
150g peeled and cored apple (2 small granny smiths), in 1cm dice
zest of 2 limes (save the limes for garnish)

For the icing and garnish

2 limes (saved after removing the zest)
180g icing sugar
40ml lime juice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160C fan-forced (180C conventional) and line a small loaf tin (about 1kg capacity, roughly 20cm x 10cm) with baking paper.
2. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugars together until combined, then add the oil and continue whisking until creamy.
3. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the large bowl in three batches, mixing lightly with a rubber spatula until almost combined but not quite (there should still be flour visible), then fold in the vanilla, parsnip, apple and lime zest. Mix until just incorporated, then scrape the mixture into the prepared loaf tin.
4. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and rest on a cake rack for 30 minutes before lifting onto a cake plate to cool completely.
5. While the loaf is baking, prepare the lime icing and garnish. To "fillet" the lime, trim the tops and bottoms of the limes, then stand one of the cut ends on the chopping board. Following the shape of the lime, use a very sharp small knife to slice off the peel and white pith from top to bottom, removing just enough skin to expose the flesh underneath. Trim off any remaining white pith.
6. Holding the lime over a bowl to catch the juices, cut along on either side of each of the membranes to remove the "fillets" and drop them into the bowl. Repeat with the second lime, then strain to separate the fillets from the juice. Measure out 40ml of juice and whisk into the icing sugar to make a smooth icing.
7. When the loaf has cooled completely, drizzle over the icing and allow to settle for a few minutes; it won't set hard, but will form a glaze. Just before serving, lay the lime fillets attractively down the centre of the loaf.
If you like this recipe try my burnt butter parsnip cake with white chocolate cream.
Brain Food: Can I use parsnip instead of carrot in a cake?