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:
