Scents and the places they take people. 💗

Did you know that the sense of smell is actually stronger than the sense of taste? That’s why scents transport us to so many memories. Sometimes we smell something, and in an instant, like a scene from a movie, that scent takes us to a forgotten, cherished moment. That’s what happened to me today. I baked this cake, and suddenly I was transported to that magnificent old Basque house converted into a hotel where I always stayed when I traveled to France. It was a business trip, but it was a tiny town in Southern France, Biarritz/St. Jean de Luz, that I always went to and never tired of. The scent of that place came to our house with this cake/bread, and I loved remembering that wonderful city and its people by the ocean.

Let me get rid of the sentimentality and tell you about my cake-like bread. It’s not really a cake because it has very little sweetness; it’s actually a wonderful bread-like treat to have with tea or coffee…

– 1 cup pumpkin puree (You can find the puree recipe here)

– 2 eggs, beaten well

– 3/4 cup teff flour or buckwheat flour for gluten-free options. If you don’t have a gluten problem, whole wheat or spelt flour will work in the same amount. Coconut flour doesn’t work, I’ve tried it. Chickpea flour also doesn’t suit the taste or consistency, in my opinion.

– 2 tablespoons dried mulberry flour (you can add it by grinding it in a food processor. If you don’t have mulberries or mulberry flour, a handful of finely chopped raisins will also work.)

– 3 tablespoons coconut oil, any vegetable oil you like will do

– 3/4 cup milk

– 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– Pumpkin seeds for garnish

First I whisked the liquids. Then I added the flours. I poured the batter into an 18 cm loaf pan. I baked it in a 170-degree fan-assisted oven. I didn’t time it, but insert a toothpick; if it comes out dry, it’s done 🙂

I think it took about 40 minutes. I’m waiting for morning so I can eat it now; it’s slightly sweet, just to my taste. The pumpkin fiber makes it very filling too. I highly recommend you try it 😊

Wishing everyone a happy, sugar-free, healthy week.

With love,

Sema