A Cake For Summer

The first time I tasted this cake was in Geneva, it was baked by my friend Jane. It's now a firm family favourite. The sharp tang of lemons and the distinctive taste of the almonds signals the start of summer for me. I don't have a nice photo of one of the many I have made, hence the random photo of Versoix and Lake Leman. 

Lemon And Almond Damp Cake - From Nigella Lawsons book; How to be a Domestic Goddess

225 g soft unsalted butter
225 g castor sugar
4 large eggs
50 g plain flour
225 g ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon almond essence
zest and juice from 2 lemons


Butter and line a 21 cm springform cake tin. Preheat the oven to 180C.  Cream together the butter and sugar until almost white. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, adding a quarter of the flour after each addition. When all the eggs and flour have been incorporated, gently stir in the ground almonds, then the almond essence, lemon zest and juice.

Pour the mixture into the cake tin and bake for about 1 hour. Cover with foil after about 30 minutes, once the top is lightly browned. The cake is ready when the top is firm, and a skewer, inserted, comes out cleanish - you want dampness, but not gooey batter. Take the cake out and let it stand for 5 minutes or so in the tin. Then turn it out on a wire rack and leave till cool.

The cake lasts well, and even improves, over two days, if wrapped well in foil. Sift icing sugar over the top when serving. It is a very plain looking cake but if you take on board my favourite Nigella serving suggestion, ' I can't help myself murmuring raspberries', it looks positively glamourous.

Bon appetit.

How To Make The Perfect Afternoon Tea.

Ingredients

A generous invitation

One well shod and brave hostess

A secluded and sunny garden

An assortment of friendly and well read guests bearing gifts

Copious cups of tea

A serving of cakes (couture if you can lay your hands on them)

A good book to talk about, I recommend Coco Chanel The Legend And The Life by Justine Picardie (now out in paperback)

* a mystery ingredient.

Method

Combine all of the the ingredients together one at a time. Mix well, once the mixture has relaxed you can add extras such as insightful and interesting facts, thoughts and opinions.  When the mixing has nearly finished it wont harm at all to add some alcohol as a finishing touch. 

* the mystery ingredient supports the main ingredient, ensures the mix stays at an even consistency and can sometimes ensure a better quality photograph once all of the hard work has been done. 

Thank you Justine.

Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red...

A rainbow I captured in our garden 5 minutes ago, magical.

As I was going to St Ives

..I decided to visit my favourite Tate, the one by the sea.  You are greeted by a huge glass piece in the entrance, it's backlit by the dazzling sunshine.  The colours are like a window looking out onto a world of zingy colours from a flowing white interior.

Then there was Martin Creeds Half The Air In A Given Space, a big hit with the children. Not so much with the adults as it gave them a severe case of 'balloon hair'.

I loved Roman Ondaks, Measuring The Universe.  

When you've finished perusing the culture head to the roof top terrace where the restaurant serves delicious, beautifully presented, locally sourced, fresh food.  Everything tastes better when you don't have to make it yourself, or wash up afterwards but surrounded by blue sky and attentive waiters this was what it must be like to lunch in heaven.  The view's not bad either.

If you are going to St Ives skip the bigamist and check out this summers offerings at the Tate.

Rugs?

I'm currently renovating my living room and am looking for a rug.  Not the type Paul Daniels is happily modelling for GetWokingham above, but the floor covering variety.  I have trawled the usual suspects - but nothing is floating my boat.  It has to straddle, vintage looking, colourful and unique - I would love a muted tartan one...  Any ideas anyone? Paul....?!

Lilacs In April!

The Lilac are visiting me early this year

New Lavender - alba, to go in my white bed.

My lovely meditative green spot, with swathes of Cow Parsley. This is at the end of the garden, under a very large Lime tree.  I like to keep it wild and see what thrives, although this year I did plant some English Bluebells to complete my 'prettyish kind of little wilderness'*

* Who said this, in which book?

Happy Birthday Your Majesty.

Today is the Queens 85th birthday.   I find it hard to believe she is that old.  40ish years ago, she sailed up the Thames and stopped off at my little village primary school and we serenaded her with Green Sleeves on the recorder.  Poor woman, how many times must she have been subjected to that tune, due to the fact it is said Henry VIII composed it I wonder?  She has led an amazing life, and I hope the bumpy bits are past for her now, and she can sail on - smoothly and taking in the new views as she sails into her old age. Happy 85th birthday Ma'am.

Etsy BeauBazaar

Allotment Envy

I whipped out my camera whilst visiting an allotment that made me just green with envy at the plots and their sheds. Especially the ones with  shelves of old pots, string, and vintage, well kept tools hanging up.

Plot holder 31 is romantic as well as practical, growing their blooms besides their brassica.

I loved this ingenious way of keeping the birds off of (what looks like) red shallot bulbs, how eco is this?

What a lovely old bike, the springs in the saddle look like they'd give you a nice comfy ride, and the basket is ideal for bringing home your fresh produce directly to your kitchen. 

Somebody is good with their hands. In the foreground a frame for artichokes - four wooden posts with 2 woven wooden rings to contain the brutes as they grow strong, and in the background a rhubarb frame to keep the stems straight and away from the mud.

All gardeners live in beautiful places, because they make them so.
~ Joseph Joubert.

Penguin Threads

Penguin USA have announced a series of classic books with the most beautifully eye catching embroidery style covers.  There are 3 to start - Emma, The Secret Garden and Black Beauty. A feast for the eyes.

What a lovely gift they would make.