The Preserved-Lemon Cake That Got Me A Job | Bon Appétit

Join Zaynab Issa from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen as she makes a simple preserved-lemon tea cake, a recipe that put her on the path to joining the BA staff.


Director: Maria Paz Mendez Hodes
Director of Photography: Eric Brouse
Editor: Misa Qu
Host: Zaynab Issa
Sr. Culinary Director: Carrie Parente
Producer: Halie Aaron
Culinary Producer: Denise Ginley
Culinary Associate Producer: Stevie Stewart
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Jeremy Harris
Audio: Lily Van Leeuwen
Post Production Supervisor: Steph Cardone
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: JC Scruggs

--
VIDEO BREAKDOWN
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Prep the batter
0:52 Prepare loaf pan
1:15 Prep preserved lemons
2:01 Measure dry ingredients
3:13 Mix wet ingredients
3:20 Zest and juice lemon
3:42 Mix dry with wet ingredients
3:54 Pour batter into pan
3:59 Bake the cake
4:18 Cool cake
4:27 Make the karak chai
4:33 Pound cardamom pods
4:49 Steep tea bags with aromatics
5:10 Add evaporated milk and simmer
5:24 Make the glaze
5:46 Glaze cake
6:06 Sprinkle with flaky salt
6:13 Cut and plate the cake
6:18 Pour chai
6:54 Taste!




ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[emilyspitler]

I want to see all the recipes that got the editors their jobs

[dr-pqdu]

I think everyone else in the comments has already said this, but the style and format was so relaxed and comforting. Even though it feels more formatted, I didn't feel like it took away from Zaynab's personality.

[architecturaldream]

I’ve been a passionate baker for years but this video taught me heaps! - sour cream / yoghurt is added to recipes so that you get all the goodness of dairy without thinning the batter, it’s the citrus seeds not the rind that makes it bitter, olive oil will keep baked goods fresher for longer than butter, evaporated milk is more concentrated and therefore creamier! Love when I learn new things. As others have said, thoroughly enjoyed the calming vibes ❤️

[Melanie-wrtm]

I made this a few weeks ago and it was a hit! The only modification I made was the loaf size - I baked up 8 mini loaves instead of one large one. I’ll definitely make these again!

[dropoutclo]

This was such a comfort video. Very cozy and pleasing aesthetically. Recipe sounds and looks great as well. :) really enjoyed this one

[papayalovesMAC]

Zaynab is a star. She has such a calm, bright energy. Her recipes are unique. Great on camera. More Zaynab!

[pollyanna]

The entire video was relaxing. The cake looks delicious. I appreciate that you didn’t rush, that you calmly spoke your way through it all, explaining the reasons behind ingredients, techniques etc. Such a simple recipe with quite complex flavours but for a novice in the kitchen like myself, I feel I could handle this recipe. The tea looked lovely too. Overall I can imagine sitting up at that ledge/bar by the window, tasting everyone’s trials, sipping tea, coffee, chatting away and appreciating the skyline.

[NoMuckYou]

Dope format and style! Zaynab should do more in this style!

[Anna_Eby]

The vibe of this video feels like an Alvin Zhou "100-hour" masterpiece, and I love it.

[ihauntghost]

One of the best videos you’ve put out for a long while. More of this format please 🙌

[arlenesolis]

This is so calming and also aromatic. Just looking at it I can smell and taste the lemon 🍋.. I love lemon tea cake and I’m definitely trying this recipe

[radbu]

This made me interested in the tea kettle! It’s hard to find a glass kettle that can handle the stovetop! Looks like this one is from MOMA for $65, in case anyone else is interested

[FutureCommentary]

I watched this and went ahead and made some preserved lemon since I can't find it in stores here. One month in the cupboard.
Baked the first loaf this Thursday and ashamed to say I finished it in a couple of days. Baked another one right away as a gift - the recipients enjoyed it thoroughly. It's everything you said it is: funky lemony bright, complex. It goes up there as one of my favorite simple cakes.

[itsbrett]

Zaynab should do more vids, I like her style and approach, and she doesn't seem annoying like some of the new faces they've brought on who try too hard.

[ericmgarrison]

The recipes, the production values, the music, and the final product… Not to mention the narration… We’re fantastic. I cannot wait to try both of these recipes.

[charmainem]

Highly recommend this - made it over the weekend and it was delish. I skipped the icing and used lemon-flavored Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to up the lemon even more, it was great!

[teganleeoneill]

She's beauty and she's grace (the cake and Zaynab)

[Koahmar]

Love the explanation of the ingredient choices! Felt like I was gaining new insight into how recipes are made

[shahidnyker]

More than the mouth-watering visuals, this was also so beautifully narrated.

[bourst]

I saw your recipe and am now inspired to preserve lemons. We have a Meyer lemon tree in our yard and we end up giving away SO MANY lemons each year. Your video has inspired me to preserve our lemons this year so thank you.
I am SO making these recipes after the lemons are preserved. Thank you