Apricot, Pine Nut and Cardamom Loaf

The tiny black seeds of cardamom enclosed in their pale green pods carry a haunting scent of eucalyptus, a natural ally for apricots and pine nuts. But if you prefer a different spice, such as freshly grated nutmeg or ground mace, simply substitute it for the cardamom in the recipe. A long narrow loaf tin works well for this cake since it yields more slices.