01
Reconstitute pears in ¼ cup of Verjuice and ¼ cup water overnight, or in the microwave in a covered bowl for 2 minutes on the defrost cycle or until soft. Drain juice off and put aside.
02
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line the base and sides of a 20 centimetre solid based cake tin, with greaseproof paper. Ensure the collar of the grease proof paper is 3-4 centimetres higher than sides of the tin.
03
For Verjuice syrup, place the balance of the 375ml bottle of verjuice, sugar, cinnamon and bay leaves in a large shallow saucepan, approximately 28 centimetre in diameter. Bring to a rapid boil over a high heat. Boil for 6–8 minutes or until it reduces by approximately half, or until it begins to form brown caramel colour, being careful not to let it go to toffee. Remove cinnamon stick and discard, add the ginger. Take it off the heat and leave for 3 minutes to infuse.
04
Place back on the heat for a moment to bring it back to temperature.
05
Immediately pour into the cake pan to prevent further cooking. Arrange bay leaves and ginger and place pear on top of syrup.
06
For cake batter, in a mixing bowl beat half the sugar with egg yolks until thick and pale. With the mixer running slowly pour in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and any of the juices left from soaking the pears into the egg yolk mixture, whisk for 30 seconds to combine.
07
Sift in the flour and baking powder and beat for 1 minute or until batter is smooth. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
08
Place egg whites into a clean mixing bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Continue to whisk, gradually adding remaining sugar. Continue to whisk until sugar has dissolved.
09
Gently fold in the meringue 1/3 at a time into the batter mixture using a metal spoon.
10
Pour mixture into a prepared tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until cooked all the way through. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the tin for 45 minutes to an hour. Before turning out pull out or cut off baking paper collar so it is level with the cake.
11
Turn out on plate and remove baking paper base.
