This citrus and saffron loaf might be one of the most flavorful desserts I’ve ever made. It was inspired by new the French movie La Réparation / Ultima Rețetă. In the movie, there is a dessert called Le pain de Clara (Clara’s bread), which remains a mystery throughout the film and becomes a symbol of the father–daughter relationship. I did my best to bring together rich flavors from different cultures into one dessert, as the movie takes us on a journey of discovery, beautiful aromas, and unknown places . This citrus and saffron loaf on its own is wonderful, but paired with mascarpone cream, passion fruit, and the infused sauce, it’s truly chef’s kiss 

For the citrus and saffron loaf: 
200g sugar

Zest of one organic orange

Zest of one organic lemon

3 eggs

120g Greek yogurt

30g candied ginger chopped

10g baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tsp poppy seeds

100g olive oil

180g flour type 000

A pinch of saffron

A pinch of salt

For the glaze:

1 tbsp honey

Juice from the lemon and orange you peeled

For the mascarpone cream:

250 g mascarpone

50g whipping cream

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp poppy seeds

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the whipping cream sauce:

150g whipping cream

1 tsp honey

A pinch of cardamom powder

A pinch of saffron

Orange zest

Passion fruit to serve, extra saffron to decorate

Infuse the saffron in the vanilla extract. Rub the sugar with the lemon and orange zest, then whisk in the eggs, vanilla, and Greek yogurt. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, poppy seeds, salt) and fold in the wet mixture. Add the olive oil in 3 batches, then the candied ginger.
Pour into a buttered and floured loaf tin (22×10 cm). Bake at 175°C for about 50 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Make the glaze, warm the honey, mix with citrus juice, and pour over the slightly cooled loaf to soak. Beat mascarpone with whipping cream, poppy seeds, and honey. Infuse the rest of the whipping cream with honey, cardamom, saffron, and orange peel, strain, then serve with a slice of cake, mascarpone cream, passion fruit, and the infused cream on top.