Autumnal Ricotta Plum Crumble Cake with Classic Creme Anglaise
This recipe is like a cake and a crumble all in one - so when you’ve got cake and crumble cravings all at once, this is the perfect hybrid recipe for you. The ricotta vanilla almond sponge is so light and fluffy, I feel like I need to add ricotta to every cake sponge I make from now on. The sweet, tender plums stay lovely and juicy while a crunchy almond crumble topping adds more sweetness and texture. A classic creamy vanilla creme anglaise is so easy to make and pairs perfectly with the cake, but a dollop of creme fraiche or scoop of ice cream would also be delicious. Recipe adapted from Esther McClark.
Nectarine, Basil & Prosciutto Salad with Chilli Fennel Halloumi
Sweet, juicy nectarines work so well with crispy prosciutto shards which add texture and a hit of saltiness. When nectarines aren’t in season, tinned peaches work really well too. Air frying some halloumi cubes and then drizzling them with some honey, fennel seeds and chilli for the last few minutes of cooking means they are lovely and crispy but still soft in the middle and totally moreish. I could eat just a bowl of these on their own. With a basil, lemon and mustard dressing for the salad leaves and some toasted seeds for nuttiness, this is a delicious salad which delivers on every level.
Classic Victoria Sponge Loaf Cake with Lemon Sponge, Chantilly Cream and Raspberry Jam
Sometimes you just can’t be a classic and Victoria Sponge will always be up there with my favourite type of cake. I added some lemon zest to the sponge and made a chantilly cream instead of buttercream as I find buttercream a bit too sweet, but this is a classic recipe which no one will be able to resist.
Charred Nectarine, Burrata and Prosciutto Salad with Fennel Seed Croutons and Basil Dressing
This is my version of the ultimate summer salad but it is so good you will want to eat it all year round. It is full of so much flavour and texture - salty prosciutto, creamy burrata, sweet smoky charred nectarines, crunchy croutons and the zing of a basil dressing, this is a salad I could just eat and eat and eat.