lemon olive oil cake with polenta & rosemary

We are currently living through some crazy, uncertain, difficult, and stressful times. I don’t know about you, but in times of uncertainty, I find peace in the ritual of baking. I love the routine of it all, and the fact that some things do remain constant, even when so much else is unknown. We are lucky enough to have an abundance of lemons on our tree right now, so I took the opportunity to pick a bucket full. We use lemons pretty regularly, but even so, had more than we knew what to do with. It had been quite a while since I’d made an olive oil cake, but I do find them to be super comforting, and the perfect thing to nosh on while spending all this extra time at home, so it seemed like the perfect excuse! Plus, fresh citrus (zest & juice!) takes it to a whole other level. Using a top-notch quality olive oil for this as opposed to your typical store-bought variety is of the utmost importance here. I recommend Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Central Coast Family Farm for its crisp, pure olive flavor, which will keep your cake nice and moist. This olive oil cake is also entirely gluten-free, if that’s your thing- I find the hearty flavors and textures of almond flour and polenta complement the dense cake nicely. I also prefer to keep the cake itself not too sweet, as I typically serve it with assorted sweet toppings (like candied lemon peels, lemon marmalade & whipped cream) to balance things out. This baby will stay fresh wrapped in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, but you may also store it in the fridge if you prefer. It’s equally delicious at room temperature with a dollop of honey sweetened greek yogurt for breakfast as it is warmed in the oven and served with ice cream for dessert! You can bake this in a simple 8” cake pan, or use a springform pan for easy release of the sides! Whichever way you go about it, I hope that it brings you joy during this time. Stay safe, y’all!

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Polenta & Rosemary:

  • 2 1/2 cups almond flour

  • 1 cup coarse ground polenta

  • 1 tsp baking power

  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/3 cup honey

  • 1/3 cup cane sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 4 lemons, zested & juiced

  • 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract

  • powdered sugar, candied lemon peels & fresh rosemary sprigs, for topping

  • lemon curd & whipped mascarpone, yogurt, or ice cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease an 8” round cake pan, line with parchment paper, and grease the paper as well. In a medium bowl, mix together almond flour, polenta, baking powder, rosemary, and salt, then set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, sugar, eggs, lemon juice & zest, and vanilla/almond extract until smooth. You may alternatively use a stand mixer if desired. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, making sure it’s level and evenly distributed. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in pan for about 5 minutes, and then flip out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust cake with powdered sugar and top with candied lemon peels and fresh rosemary. Serve with a heaping dollop of lemon curd or marmalade, and maybe some ice cream or whipped mascarpone as well. Enjoy!

*adapted from Orange Polenta Cake from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook

Useful Tools:

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

restaurante tierra caliente

There’s not much better than a consistently good neighborhood joint. You know the place. The one you can pop in anytime, and while you aren’t expecting to be blown away by anything super out of the box, you can pretty much guarantee a delicious, satisfying meal. In our old hood in Brooklyn, that was Cafe Mogador, and we still make it a point to go back anytime we are in town. Our new neighborhood of Mount Washington has less going on food-wise, but just down the hill in Cypress Park, you’ll find a ton of tasty, authentic Mexican food. Restaurante Tierra Caliente is one place we keep returning, and what’s better is that we can walk there! A bit of Brooklyn in LA ;) This tiny spot has a chalkboard menu up on the wall, and only a few small tables. We like to sit outside amongst the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood, and enjoy our tacos al fresco! Our fave time of day to come eat at Tierra Caliente is in the early mornings before they get busy, as they make a killer breakfast! My huevos a la Mexicana never disappoints, and those homemade tortillas are super fresh and hot off the press! My husband is a fan of the chilaquiles and smothered burritos (among manyyyy other things), but I think next up I need to try the tamales and pozole verde now that the weather is cooling off! So grab yourself a horchata con cafe, why don’t ya, and dig in!

atrium

When I think about #BrunchGoals, Atrium in Los Feliz immediately comes to mind. Both the atmosphere and eats are stellar, which is super important for the makings of memorable brunch! The light-flooded restaurant has a gorgeous- you guessed it- atrium in the center, opening up to a breezy, round bar down below. The entire place is bright and cheery, and I just love all the lush greenery they have growing on display. Now onto the eats- there’s pretty much something to satisfy any and all cravings on this menu. From the light and fresh seeded maple granola to the fully loaded crispy smashed potatoes, you’re guaranteed to find something up your alley. I was all about my (better-than-average) avocado toast on chewy focaccia, and the heirloom cornmeal waffle with whipped burrata and guava jam did not disappoint either! Be sure to snag an order of freshly baked biscuits- the salted honey butter is the perfect complement to those fluffy delights! Scroll through the slideshow to check out the rest of our meal, and definitely stop by Atrium the next time you’re on the east side!

go get 'em tiger

My love for casual, but consistently tasty breakfast and lunch spots is no secret. When we started spending more time in Los Angeles, one of my top priorities was to find a few neighborhood spots at which we could become regulars. These places need to be warm and inviting with a nice atmosphere, the food not too fussy, brew great coffee, and even better if they bake delicious pastries in house. I’d heard several people rave about Go Gem ‘Em Tiger, and once my husband and I stopped by one morning, we realized why. After scouring the menu and narrowing down our breakfast choices (no easy feat!), we snagged a table outside in the sun and sipped our coffees (they roast and sell their own beans!). I highly recommend getting yours made with their housemade almond macadamia milk! Yum! You’ll find some classics on the menu, like homemade granola and a breakfast sandwich, but we went for some of GGET’s more unique offerings. My husband loves a hash, and was all about his Spanish chorizo hash with eggs, potato, and aioli (he only wished it was bigger!). I went for the chickpea frittata, served with seasonal veggies and pickled beets! The only thing missing was hot sauce. We also shared a side of the roasted cauliflower salad, which was served cold and visible in their ready-made section, among many other tasty looking sides. Go Get ‘Em Tiger is the perfect spot for an easy, but enjoyable breakfast or lunch with friends, but also works for a quick coffee and pastry to go. I love getting to sit outside, catching the breeze and soaking up the sun. Lucky for me, they recently opened another location in my new neighborhood- I cannot wait to stop by soon!

great white

corn fritters // stacked corn fritter, poached egg, charred avocado salsa, fresh greens, bacon, halloumi

harvest bowl // charred brussels sprouts, turmeric roasted cauliflower, delicata squash, shaved almonds, pickled onion, avocado, quinoa, roasted almond vinaigrette 

Ever since my trip to Australia a couple years ago, I've been loving all things Aussie- the food, in particular (case in point: The Boathouse, Two Hands, The Farm at Byron Bay, and Top Shop Byron Bay)! I'm all about healthy, flavorful, and simply-prepared food that really lets the fresh ingredients shine, and Great White Venice embodies just that. The Australian owners brought the chill vibes of Oz, mixed it with that coastal-Californian flair, and created the perfect neighborhood café in Venice right by the beach! You'll find the usual suspects like avocado toast. a brekkie sandwich, and hearty grain bowl, but I highly suggest trying one of Great White's more unique offerings, like the beautiful blue smoothie bowl with passionfruit, e3 live blue algae, and chia seeds! My husband raved about his corn fritter, which looked more like a crab cake than a fried fritter, and came topped with a poached egg, avocado salsa, and grilled halloumi! Acclaimed Aussie coffee brand Vittoria is served here, so rest assured you'll find a Flat White just like you would in Sydney. I personally loved that they offered a seasonal kombucha on-tap as well! Stop by after your morning surf session, or before you hit the beach for some afternoon sun- either way you won't be disappointed. Grab a seat out front in the open-air patio for some great people watching and soak up that salty ocean breeze!

botanica market & restaurant

our favorite romesco // seared winter vegetables, charred leeks, peewee potatoes, almonds, cilantro, farm fried egg

morning mezze // roasted squash hummus, roasted beet-apple salad with dukkah, 6-minute egg with salsa verde, marinated olives, Bub & Grandma's bread

Oh my, Botanica Market & Restaurant. Where to even start?! One of my new neighborhood spots since being in LA has been this gem of a place, and it honestly couldn't be more up my alley if it tried! Seasonal vegetables, homemade baked goods, refreshing cocktails, natural wines... the list goes on and on. While the restaurant isn't vegetarian by any means, they emphasize vegetables, fruits, and grains, creating delicious, balanced, and fulfilling dishes that would satisfy anyone. I love their belief that healthy cooking doesn't have to be boring, but rather vibrant, creative, and super satisfying! You'll find tons of color and flavor on the menu at Botanica, along with a touch of Middle Eastern flair. I have yet to be disappointed in anything I've tried, and I love tasting new things each time I visit. The morning mezze offers a rotating mix of things like roasted squash hummus, roasted beet-apple radish salad with dukkah, a 6-minute egg with salsa verde, olives, and that wonderfully chewy Bub & Grandma's bread! Heaven! Most recently I got the smoked beet tartine, with fromage blanc, pickled onions & smoked beets on Bub & Grandma's bread with arugula, herbs, pistachios & puffed wild rice! So many delicious textures and flavors, and so much more exciting than a simple salad. Botanica is the perfect spot for grabbing a quick cup of coffee and pastry in the front market, as well as for a wonderfully relaxed meal on the foliage-filled back patio. Making a reservation for dinner is next on my agenda, and soon! Trust me, this is not a place to skip on your next trip to Los Angeles!

turkish eggs // poached farm eggs, aleppo-urfa butter, garlicky yogurt, charred scallions, lemony salad, cornmeal foccaccia // maple bacon

fattoush-y salad // caramelized spiced lamb, chopped spring vegetables, sumac croutons, roasted garlic labne, za'atar vinaigrette