Blackberry nectarine galette

A very quick pudding to use some of the deliciously juicy, plump blackberries from our garden, this uses ready-made puff pastry so is ridiculously quick to assemble after a long day at work.

Nectarine and blueberry upside down cake with orange, Greek yoghurt and almonds

I've been having baking withdrawals since our house flooded a few weeks ago. It's been depressing enough as it is to have had to cope without electricity, heating and hot water for a week, plus the seemingly-endless rigmarole of insurance companies and loss adjustors and asbestos tests before dehumidifiers can be installed, and we're still a long way off getting things repaired and back to normal.  But to be without baking has has been one of the worst bits! So when our friend Kirsty came over last night I decided to make a cake despite the chaos of spotlights dangling from their wires overhead. I made a cake batter with some grated orange, ground almonds and Greek yoghurt, folded in a couple of handfuls of blueberries, and poured it over a couple of nectarines sliced and arranged in the bottom of a cake tin. We ate it warm when it was more like a steamed pudding, but today now it's completely cool it's happily solidified into a lovely moist cake consistency.  Served with a great big dollop of Greek yoghurt with honey, the chaos of the flood-damaged kitchen seems to melt away into the background!

Summer fruit tart with Pimms, elderflower, rose and mint

This is a really quick easy tart that I made after work for dessert.  I added Pimms, elderflower cordial, rosewater and fresh mint to a handful of summer fruits and left them to macerate for a while, then strained the juices and added it to extra thick double cream to serve with the warm tart.  The fruit is simply sprinkled over some ready-made puff pastry with a few flaked almonds and a little sugar.  Stunningly simple and summery!

Nectarine Earl Grey bread

For the opening of my friend Ellie’s yoga studio, I made these as a variation on the peach and pecan bread and the peach tea muffins I’ve made previously.  It’s a dairy free recipe so is great for Ellie and her vegan clients!