Ricotta-polenta cake with lemon-rosemary syrup

Ingredients

• 150 gm softened butter, plus extra for greasing
• 120 gm honey
• Finely grated rind and juice of 3 lemons
• 6 eggs, separated
• 400 gm firm ricotta
• 200 gm almond meal
• 180 gm fine polenta
• 2 tsp finely chopped rosemary, plus 3 extra sprigs
• 330 gm caster sugar (1 1/2 cups)
• Flaked almonds, for scattering
• 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped

Instructions

1. 1

   1.: Preheat oven to 150°C and butter the base of a 26cm diameter cake tin (we used a fluted tin) and line it with baking paper. Beat butter, honey and lemon rind in an electric mixer until light and fluffy (4-5 minutes), scrape down sides of bowl, then add yolks one at a time, beating well between additions. Transfer to a large bowl, fold in ricotta, then almond meal, polenta, rosemary and a pinch of salt.

2. 2

   2.: Whisk eggwhites and a pinch of salt in an electric mixer to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in 110gm sugar and whisk until glossy (1-2 minutes). Fold into ricotta mixture, then spoon batter into tin, smooth top and scatter with almonds. Bake until golden and a skewer withdraws clean (45-50 minutes). Remove from oven and pierce all over with a skewer.

3. 3

   3.: Stir lemon juice, remaining sugar and 80ml water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Add vanilla bean and seeds, bring to the boil and cook until a light syrup forms (4-5 minutes). Discard vanilla bean, add rosemary sprigs and pour half over cake. Chill remaining.

4. 4

   4.: Serve cake warm or at room temperature drizzled with remaining syrup.