Instructions: This plain but satisfying cake is called Madeira Cake but contains no Madeira. Nigella Lawson, the British cooking sensation, says she got it from her mother-in-law. Perhaps it was meant to be served with Madeira at teatime. In any event, the recipe names waxed paper, not expensive parchment paper, as the first choice for lining the pan.

1 cup softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus some for sprinkling (divided)

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon (divided)

3 eggs
1 1/3 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and line with wax or parchment paper a 9-by-5 inch loaf pan.

Cream butter and sugar. Add lemon zest. Add eggs, 1 at a time along with 1 tablespoon of the flours mixed together, for each egg. Then gently mix in flours and, finally, lemon juice. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons additional sugar over the top.

Bake 1 hour, or until toothpick or cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool on rack before turning out of pan.

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