LIME-SPONGE CAKE

The green color is obtained by adding spinach puree. No aftertaste whatsoever. Don't tell your family that you have added spinach puree. Tell them that, its mommy magic!!!!!. They will never guess. 

INGREDIENTS : It's just a variation of the vanilla sponge cake.

1. 3 eggs , white and yolks separated
2. 2 Tbsp grated frozen lemon
3. 1/4 cup spinach puree
4. 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
5. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
6. 1/4  plus 1/8 tsp salt
7. 1 tsp vanilla essence

For the spinach puree:

1. 1 cup chopped spinach(I have used power greens which consists of a combination of kale , spinach and chard)
2. 1/4 water

METHOD

To make the spinach puree:

• Bring 1 cup loosely packed ,chopped spinach and 1/4 cup water to a boil. Turn off and keep aside to cool.
  

  

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

  

• When cool , put it in a blender and puree it. This yields 1/4 cup puree. This can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Making the cake:

• Line a 6 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
  
• Whisk the flour and salt and keep aside.
  

• Pour vanilla essence into the separated yolks and keep aside. Don't forget this step.

• Pre-heat oven to 225 degree F for 15 minutes.
• Take the separated egg whites into a bowl big enough , because it is in that bowl that the rest of the ingredients will be combined. 

• Beat the egg whites  using a cake mixer on high speed  until frothy and the volume has increased  ,about a minute.

• Now while beating the egg whites ,gradually add the sugar , maybe 2 Tbsp at a time .Put in all the sugar. The egg whites should be whipped till stiff peaks are formed.

• Put in the egg yolks and essence all at once and beat on high speed for about 5  seconds.

• Add the flour mixture all at once and beat on lowest speed for 5 seconds, then gradually increasing the speed to maximum .Beat until the flour is just incorporated . Don't over mix.
  
  
  
  

• Now throw in the spinach puree and the 2 Tbsp grated frozen lemon. Mix on high speed until just incorporated.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Scrape the sides of the bowl and give the batter a gentle stir .
• Pour the batter into  the prepared baking pan and bake for 50 minutes at 225 degree F and then after 50 minutes turn the heat to 300 degree F and bake for 20 minutes. Allow it to cool in the pan for atleast 30 minutes.