Tahini - sesame paste - is traditionally eaten during Lent.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 cup tahini 1 cup strained fresh orange juice 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Grated rind of orange Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
Preheat oven to 350ºF and lightly grease and flour a 10-inch round cake pan.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. In a separate bowl, whip together the tahini with the orange juice, water, and honey. Add the vanilla and grated orange rind and continue beating for 5 minutes. Add the flour to the tahini mixture, beating all the while, until a thick batter forms. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove and cool for 30 minutes in the pan. To serve, sprinkle, if desired, with confectioner’s sugar.
