Gató de Almendras Mallorquín #SundayFunday

"February 16th is National Almond Day. Let's share any recipes you like with whole almonds, sliced almonds, almond meal or even almond butter. Sweets, savories? Bring it on." I am hosting the group this week.

Stacy of Food Lust People Love, Sue of Palatable Pastime, Rebekah of Making Miracles, Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm, and I coordinate this low-stress group; we only participate when we are inspired. As I mentioned, I am hosting this week.

The Line-Up

• Almond Date Balls by Mayuri's Jikoni

• Banana Pancakes by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking

• Basil Almond Pesto by Sizzling Tastebuds

• Chinese Almond Cookies by Karen's Kitchen Stories

• Copycat Panera Thai Chicken Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm

• Energy High Protein Shake by Sneha's Recipe:

• Gató de Almendras Mallorquín by Culinary Cam (you're here)

• Grain Free Almond Flour Cinnamon Pancakes by A Messy Kitchen

• Lemon Almond Muffins by Making Miracles

• Roasted Almond Cookies by Mildly Indian

• Smoky Spicy Roasted Almonds by Food Lust People Love

Gató de Almendras Mallorquín

I was inspired by this passage in Under Almond Blossoms by Anja Saskia Beyer: "Milla wasn’t sure what to say next, so she continued along the same theme. 'Why are there so many almond trees on Mallorca?' Now the old man smiled and seemed more at ease. 'Oh, there’s a lovely old story. Would you like to hear it?' 'Yes, please.' Clinging to his stick, he began. 'An Arab prince is supposed to have planted them. He wanted to please his favourite wife in the harem because the princess came from Granada, and she missed the snow in her hometown. She only became happy again when the white almond blossoms were falling from the new trees like snowflakes. Milla and Paul were enchanted. Milla took in a deep breath of the sweet scent." I wanted to make an almond cake from Mallorca for this.

I have made a version of this cake before. But I have honed my cake making skills in recent years. This one had a much more delicate texture and crumb.

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs

• 200 grams organic granulated sugar

• 200 grams ground almonds or almond flour

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla paste (or vanilla extract if you don't have paste)

• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract (you can omit this if you don't have any)

• sliced almonds for garnish

• Also needed: parchment paper

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or grease the pan if you don't have parchment.

Separate the yolks and whites of the eggs into two medium-sized mixing bowls. Add the granulated sugar to the yolks and beat until lightened and fluffy. Fold in the ground almonds in until moistened.

Beat the egg whites into stiff peaks. Then, carefully fold the whites into the egg yolk mixture.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and scatter sliced almonds over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Allow to cool, then serve in wedges.

That's a wrap on my offering for the almond Sunday Funday party. The group will return next week with recipes that feature roots. Stay tuned!