Almond and Citrus Drizzle Cake

The girls are always asking me for lemon drizzle cake - it seems that the school makes a fabulous one for snack time.  Of course I couldn't go with a standard version, and wanted to incorporate a couple of different ideas. As well as lemons, I wanted to use blood oranges for a fuller scent load, and a pink icing.  And given my recent obsession with frangipane and nut flours, I also wanted to include a little ground almond into the cake, though I suspect you could probably swap that for polenta too.

Drop scones with blood-orange compote, and scented crème fraîche...

Now that spring is finally around the corner, it's time to abandon our winter warmers for breakfast, and start awakening our tastebuds.  Citrus fruits are always a delight first thing in the morning, and have the effect of stimulating our palate and our metabolism.  I'm not suggesting you suffer though - this breakfast combination makes a very luxurious treat...  I made it last week for the 11yo during half term, and as today is her 12th birthday, I made it for everyone...

Blood Orange and Fennel Salad

After the best part of a year waiting for their return, blood oranges are finally back in season.  I've made them into sorbet in the past, but sometimes when something is this seasonal it's nice to enjoy them in a very simple recipe.  So - this one is not really a hardship - no waiting for dough to prove - no hanging around! 

Blood Orange Sorbet

I'm a little bit obsessed with blood oranges at the moment, and served this with a chocolate tart.  It's based on a recipe by Galton Blackiston.