Smoked Salmon and Leeks Savory Pound Cake

A few years ago, the mother of one of my dear friends got into a tragic horse riding accident while vacationing in South Africa. She survived her fall but now suffers from quadriplegia. H. is a fantastic woman and she and her husband (and their children) have shown incredible strength and family unity to help H. live as normal a life as possible. H. is still undergoing major surgeries with endless delays because her condition makes it harder for her body to heal and recover.  However, with time, commitment, drive and love, we all hope that she would steadily recover partial use of her arms which would make her regain some independence. Today, H. is able to go onto the internet and I know that she has been reading this blog frequently as a way to "brush up" her English... and to keep herself busy. H. was a wonderful cook, the daughter of French charcutiers-traiteurs in Normandy. For those of you who don't know what a Charcutier-Traiteur is, think WholeFoods Deli with whatever French refinement there could be: homemade terrines, homemade pâtés, unique smoked hams and cooking sausages, wonderful salads, etc. It's basically where you go for just your weekly tranche de jambon (slice of ham) or for your wedding catering!  H. and her husband loved to have people over and still do. Meals at their place are always a partie de plaisir : because the food is delicious, because the company is wonderful, because the topics of discussion are interesting, and just because we all love to be around them.

The following savory cake is typically something that H. would have served to all her guests for a Summer lunch. It is definitively something that her daughter would cook for her nowadays. Or me if I get a chance to see them this Summer.  As I already wrote, French are in love with Savory cakes and I just hope that some of you might give them a try now that picnics and BBQs are de saison. Cakes Salés are very easy to make and always bring joy around the table! Bon Appétit!

Ingredients:
- 200 gr  (7 oz) all purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 ts baking powder
- 1/2 ts baking soda
- 150 ml (5 Fl oz) buttermilk
- 50g (1.8 oz) grated Swiss cheese
- 85gr ( 3 oz) smoked salmon, ideally cut into dices.
- A few sprigs of fresh dill, minced
- 2 large fresh leeks, cleaned and sliced into small pieces
- 1/4 ts salt
- Pine nuts
- Butter

• Preheat the oven to 360F (180C)
• In a pan, saute the leeks in butter for 10 minutes.
• In a bowl, whisk eggs and buttermilk together.
• Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and stir well.
• Add dill and grated cheese and stir some more.
• Add smoked salmon and leeks, stir gently.
• Pour the batter in a loaf pan
• Sprinkle pine nuts on top of batter
• Cook in the oven for about 40 minutes. An insert should come out clean.
• Unmold and cool on a rack.

My Personal Comments:

• If you like smoked salmon, you could add more.