Blood Orange Upside-down Cakes with Sage

It is the end of April. And with that comes.. May, a month full of excitement and anticipation of a good summer season. The weather here in NY has warmed up and though it is predicted to drop again on Monday with May around the corner my spirits remain high.

To me blood oranges scream summer. They come out and shout it with their tart, juicy, deep red goodness. Paired with a moist almond cake with just the right crumb and fragrant sage we have a treat fit for any pre-summer celebration. I ate these for breakfast with a large cup of mint tea. They would go great accompanying a picnic or eaten after dinner…preferably on a porch, in a rocking chair and listening to crickets.

Blood Orange Upside-down Cakes with Sage

1 orange

3 tiny blood oranges or 1 large blood orange

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

1 tbsp dark muscavado sugar (this requires a bit of work to keep from clumping together, I love the stronger molasses taste but light or brown sugar would also work)

1 tbsp honey + more for drizzle

2 tbsp + 2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp fresh orange zest

1 egg

1 tbsp ground flax

1/4 cup millet flour

1/4 cup brown rice flour

2 tbsp + 2 tsp almond meal

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp of juice (I used the juice made from segmenting the oranges)

pinch of sea salt

fresh sage leaves

1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Segment the oranges and set aside. In a large bowl mix the flours, almond meal, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon – set aside. In a separate bowl combine the flax, honey, olive oil, vanilla extract, sugar, zest, and juice. Then stir in the egg and yogurt. Add the wet to the dry and stir to combine. In a muffin pan (grease if necessary) criss-cross leaves of sage in the bottom of nine compartments. Spoon a little of the orange segments on top, then a drizzle honey. Add a spoonful of batter next, I had just enough batter for this so start with a small spoonful in each until it is all used up. Bake for around 30 minutes or until cooked though and golden brown on the edges. Remove from oven and carefully use a dull knife to flip them out of the pan. Cool and enjoy. Keep leftovers in the fridge.