There is no question this is an indulgent cake. But it is also thoroughly worth the indulgence. A butter rich dough filled with a simple lemon curd under a rubbly top studded with lavender. The original recipe for this which I cut from a magazine years ago is called Belgian Lemon Tea Cake, I don’t know why. This cake appears so simple and unassuming, but slice into it and there … [Read more...] about Lemon Lavender Curd Crumble Cake
Fruit
Cranberry Chess Pie
I am a chess pie fanatic. It was a frequent dessert at my grandmother’s house and a fond childhood food memory for me. That sweet, soft filling with a slightly grainy texture from a tiny dose of cornmeal. I love it. And I have produced many iterations over the years, from Sweet Potato Buttermilk, to chocolate in a chocolate crust to salted honey. Some … [Read more...] about Cranberry Chess Pie
Pear, Leek and Walnut Tart
I want to extol the virtues of the savory tart. From classic quiche to stunning flamiche, Chicken, Cheddar and Pecan or a seasonal Italian Summer Cherry Tomato. The permutations are endless, which is certainly a large part of the appeal, but for me the savory tart represents exactly what I aspire to in the kitchen most of the time. Beautiful, … [Read more...] about Pear, Leek and Walnut Tart
Fig and Blue Cheese Galette
I am a fig fanatic. After the jams and preserves I stock up on every year, I turn to other fig delights, like this packed-with-flavor fig galette. The galette is the perfect vehicle for summer produce, it is simple to put together for a lot of payoff. And to be honest, I love the rustic, hand-formed appearance of pastry just cradling fresh summer farmers market finds. It has … [Read more...] about Fig and Blue Cheese Galette
Nectarine Marzipan Cake
I have read many British recipes over the years that use the term squidgy to describe a cake. It is not perhaps the most literate of terms, but it is perfectly descriptive. I know exactly what it means – soft and moist and rich, dense but in the best possible way. This is a squidgy cake. The almond flour and marzipan add the delicious nutty density while the nectarine slices … [Read more...] about Nectarine Marzipan Cake
