※summer flavours

the brilliant thing about Summer = herbs:

there's nothing better than

being able to pop outside to pick some leaves 

to add to your dish:

I ❤ thyme as much as the bees do:

and this Nigel Slater recipe uses two of the

best Summer flavours:

thyme and lemon cake

you will need :

200g softened butter

200g caster sugar

100g plain flour

100g ground almonds

{if you have nut allergy then omit almonds and use 200g flour}

½ teaspoon baking powder

4 eggs

1 lemon ~ zest

1 teaspoon thyme leaves

for the top:

4 tablespoons caster sugar

2 lemons ~ juice

½ teaspoon thyme leaves

set your oven to 160°c/ gas 3:

line and grease a loaf tin:

cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy:

lightly beat the eggs and add to the mixture little by little:

{we put a smiley face on the eggs that need using up first}

grate the lemon zest into a bowl and add the thyme leaves:

pound together to release the flavours then add to the mix:

now sift in the flour and baking powder:

add the ground almonds and stir through:

pile into your tin and bake for

45 minutes or until a skewer comes out cleanly:

meanwhile ....

mix the sugar, lemon juice and thyme leaves together:

when your cake is ready and still hot 

pierce all over with a skewer and

drizzle on the sugar+lemon+thyme syrup:

leave to cool:

enjoy: