Step 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 20cm-round springform cake tin with baking paper. Mix spread, sugar, yoghurt, vanilla, mandarin rind, and eggs in a food processor until well combined. Add flours. Pulse until combined.

Step 2 Remove pith from mandarins and separate segments. Add to batter. Gently combine. Spoon into cake tin. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Stand for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Transfer to a serving platter.

Step 3 To make mandarin syrup, place sugar, water and rind in a saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to the boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes. Take off heat and allow to cool.

Step 4 Remove pith from mandarin and separate segments. Add to cooled syrup. Spoon syrup onto cake. Serve with extra yoghurt.

Serve as part of this budget dinner party for eight... three courses for under $7 per person!

$11.36 Ricotta and silver beet triangles
$25.20 Greek chicken
$10.08 Roast tomato salad
$07.92 Mandarin syrup cake
$54.56 Total