Lemon and Almond cake with Raspberries

It was another gloomy day on Tuesday and the young boys of the family I work for were desperate to go to the beach and play in the sea, so they all went off to Cannes and I had the place to myself. I decided to make a cake for tea time when they returned as I had seen a nice recipe for a summery sponge cake with berries baked into the top. I love almond cakes so I found a sponge cake recipe and swapped the flour for ground almonds, to my amazement it actually worked so maybe I am a cake scientist in the making?

225g soft butter

225g caster sugar

225g ground almonds

4 medium eggs

1 lemon zested and juiced

1 heaped tsp baking powder

berries, frozen or fresh

Heat the oven to 180c and butter the inside of your cake tin. Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until pale and creamy, add the lemon zest and juice then slowly add the eggs one at a time, still with the electric mixer, it may look like its curdled but thats normal.

Mix the ground almonds and baking powder together and fold in using a large spoon until everything is smooth.

If you have frozen berries let them defrost before making the cake and then get rid of the juice that comes out as it will make the cake soggy, sprinkle on some icing sugar and spoon into the base of the cake tin.

I used fresh raspberries and heated them in a pan for a second with a tsp of water and a tablespoon of icing sugar until it had dissolved.

Spoon the cake mixture into the tin on top of the berries and bake in the oven for around 40 mins to an hour, depending on your oven you may need to turn it down to 160c if the cake looks like its getting too brown. To test if its ready insert a skewer and if it comes out clean its ready.

Turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool and serve with créme fraîche and summer berries.

River cafe polenta, almond and lemon cake

This week has been a bit up and down with the weather, lots of rain and then an absolute scorcher yesterday in the 30˚s. Yesterday was an especially good day because not only did I get a little bit less pasty but I also stood up on my surfboard about 10 times!! I did almost die about twice getting absolutely smashed by waves and ended up with my hair looking a bit like a loo brush but very happy!! Since the weather has been crappy I made a huge cake, and I think this could be my newest most favourite cake I have ever made. I have been trawling through my River cafe books and there is so much amazing stuff so since I have all kinds of great ingredients on my door step I am going to go nuts and try loads this month. Serves 12 450g unsalted butter, softened 450g caster sugar 450g ground almonds 2 teaspoons good vanilla essence 6 free range eggs zest of 4 lemons juice of 1 lemon 225g polenta flour or fine semolina 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt Preheat the oven to ...

Caramelised endive with Serrano ham

This is another delicious Ottolenghi recipe, you could do it as a starter or part of a summery lunch. Serves 6 6 endives, cut in half lengthways 40g unsalted butter 4 tsp caster sugar 50g breadcrumbs 70g parmesan cheese, freshly grated 2 tbsp thyme leaves 120ml whipping cream 12 thin sliced of Serrano ham olive oil for drizzling Preheat the oven to 200˚C. Start by caramelising the endive in batches depending on how many you can fit in a frying pan. Put the butter and sugar in the pan over a high heat until the butter starts to bubble, then place the endive halves into the pan cut side down until they are golden. Remove and place into a lined baking tray, caramelised side up. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Mix the breadcrumbs with the cream, parmesan, thyme some salt and ground pepper. Spoon the mix on top of the endives and top with a slice of the ham. Roast in the oven until golden and the endives feel soft when poked with a knife. Serve hot or warm drizzled with a little oli...

Aubergine and goats cheese dip with pitta crisps

Don't be put off by the slightly grey, something you might find in a babies nappy, colour of this dip, it is really good I promise! Served along side some healthy pitta crisps and you have yourself a good little chip and dip for the party season. makes 2 dipping size bowls 100ml olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped small 1 tbsp thyme leaves large pinch of chopped rosemary leaves 2 medium aubergines, finely diced 125g soft goats cheese, mild or cream cheese if you prefer salt and pepper pack of pitta breads olive oil handful fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped salt and pepper Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, add the onion, garlic, thyme and rosemary and sauté gently until soft. Add the aubergine, and cook for about 15 minutes until it is cooked through, stir regulary to stop it from catching and season. Allow to cool slightly before pureeing in a food processor with the goats cheese, check the seasoning and add more goats cheese to taste if nee...

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