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1
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees centigrade. While the oven is preheating, butter a regular loaf tin and then sprinkle two tablespoons of almond meal round the pan so it coats the base and sides. This will help the cake slip out of the pan easier.
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2
In a bowl, combine flour, almond meal, superfine sugar, baking powder, and salt together, using a large balloon whisk to combine.
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3
In another bowl, combine oil, yogurt, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon juice and zest. Whisk well to combine.
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4
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the yogurt-oil mixture into this centre, whisk or use a spatula to combine ingredients.
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5
Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. Bake in the middle of your preheated oven. Check the cake after 40 minutes, using a skewer to test. It should come out clean. If it is still wet, give it another 5 - 10 minutes, being careful not to overbake it.
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6
When ready, remove from oven and let cool in tin for 5 - 10 minutes (on a wire rack). Run a spatula round the edge of the tin/cake to loosen. Place a plate over the top and tip out gently.
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7
Leave to fully cool down overnight. On day 2, slice into 1 inch thick slices and grill on a clean, lightly oiled rack (being careful to keep it clear from meats) and let each side develop marks, a couple of minutes both ways.
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8
Serve warm with chopped strawberries and lemon thyme cream
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9
Bruise thyme leaves by gently pounding to release oils and flavour. Set aside.
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10
Whisk eggs in a bowl and sieve into a pan to remove thick bits of yolk.
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11
Add sugar to egg mix and stir till its a soft mixture then place the pan on very low heat on your stove top. Continue mixing and then add lemon rind and juice and lemon thyme leaves and stir together.
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12
After 2-3 minutes, start adding the chunks of butter one at a time, mixing well till butter is melted before adding another.
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13
After 10 - 12 minutes, it should be ready. Don't worry if the mixture looks thin, it will thicken once cool.
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14
Put in clean jars - I tend not to sterilise my jars as the curd must be refrigerated. Use within 2 weeks
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15
When ready to make the cream, put the creme fraiche in a bowl and whisk to loosen it. Then stir in 6 or more tablespoons of lemon thyme curd, or to taste. Serve dollops of this with strawberries and grilled cake
