Bolo de Fubá (Cornmeal cake)

This traditional Brazilian cake is Ricardo's favourite, so he gets to have it every year on his birthday and on fathers' day. This delicious recipe is Rita's, who used to work at tia Terezinha's house. I've never met Rita, but judging from this exceedingly creamy bolo de fubá, she must be a very fine cook.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cornmeal
• 4 cups milk
• 4 small (expresso) cups sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• a pinch of salt
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoons aniseed
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
  

1. Put the cornmeal, milk, sugar, salt and butter in a pan, mix well and keep mixing until it boils and thickens into a kind of porridge (don't worry if it gets lumpy).
2. Let this cool.
3. Beat the eggs (whole) in a mixing bowl.
4. Add the cornmeal porridge to the eggs and use a mixer to remove any lumps.
5. Dissolve the baking powder in a little water and add to the cake mixture.
6. Add the aniseed.
7. Bake in a medium oven for around 50 minutes.