Simple pleasures

I've spent the morning watching the news and I feel so thankful that I have food in the garden and family and friends that are healthy and happy. Yesterday's heat has all but gone this morning so I'm going to make the most of it. Today I'll be finishing off some hand made presents for friends as well as testing a cake for another's wedding. Called a devil's food layer cake, I'm imagining it will be similar in crumb to a genoise base, layered with caramel and chocolate ganache, then covered in a fine layer of cake crumbs. I haven't yet decided if the crumbs are too fussy, in which case, the ganache will do the honours. Topped with some fresh flowers, I think it will make a simple but beautiful wedding cake that is hopefully as delicious as it looks.

Pappa al pomodoro

I've been wandering around my father's garden in the afternoon sun whilst plotting dinner and lunch for the next few days - my brain ticking over with all sorts of delectable edible things. Having grown up in a household where the backyard garden is full of fruit, vegetables and flowers, I can't help but think about food. Tonight calls for pappa al pomodoro, a Tuscan bread and tomato soup. The greengage plums, so sweet and brilliant green, will be made into a birthday frangipani tart for Felicity.