Simple pleasures # 4

This must be the easiest way to make a fruit cake , everything in one bowl, mix, bake for an hour, done ! 

It'll keep well for a week, we just took a few of these with us on a camping trip. Ideal for hungry campers sitting around the fire.

• 240g fruit ( or fruit & nuts) i used apricots, raisins, sultanas and almonds
• 100g soft butter
• 100 g caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 175g self raising flour

Put everything into a large bowl, mix into a smooth creamy cake mixture, put in a lined & buttered tin, sprinkle with nuts and sugar, bake at 180 degrees for an hour.

Simple pleasures # 3

Broad beans & pecorino sardo salad


I had this in a restaurant in Florence this summer, on the menu it was translated as ' pecorino and green pods' , it wasn't until it came to the table that the true identity of the 'green pods' came to light. What a beautifully simple rustic dish.

Simple pleasures # 2

Mussels cooked in white wine & garlic

Simple pleasures # 1

Toast & Jam with creamy rich butter.