1. In electric mixer; blend oil, 1 cup demarara sugar ( substitute granulated sugar plus a little molasses) and eggs. Add milk and vanilla. Blend.

2. Sift flour, baking powder together. Add salt and poppy seeds. On low speed add dry ingredients to wet and blend just until combined.

3. Fold in lemon zest by hand. Pour batter into an oiled 6 to 8 cup bundt pan. Bake in a 350F oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until done.

4. To make glaze, combine the 1/2 cup demarara sugar and lemon juice. Heat, stirring until sugar is just dissolved.

5. Remove cake from oven, cool 10 minutes then invert onto plate. Using a fork, poke holes over entire surface of cake and carefull pour on the glaze. Let soak before serving. Decorate with slivers of lemon zest. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

This dish was published by Toronto Star Starweek, Mary McGrath's Chef's

The recipe was requested by Diane Silver of Willowdale, Ontario who writes:

The Lemon Poppyseed Cake at The Vegetarian Restaurant ( 4 Dundonald St., Toronto, (416) 961-9522 is "absolutely enjoyable and I am hoping you can publish their version of this classic cake for me".

"We are pleased to share this recipe and suspect the request came because the cake is unusually moist and has a wonderful strong lemon flavour", says Susan Stachyra, who manages the bakeshop where desserts for the downtown restaurant and The West End Vegetarian Restaurant are turned out. Before getting into the baking business 1 1/2 years ago, the former school teacher from North Bay, Ontario says that baking was a hobby. Typed into Meal

Editor's note: If there is any way humanly possible: use real demerara sugar. Take my word for it, it is near impossible to duplicate it by adding molasses to granulated sugar. It looks okay but the flavour just is Not

Internet Email: eric. Decker@canrem. Com or Fido NetMail 1:229/15