Raspberry and Almond Cake

175g unsalted butter, softened
175g caster sugar
4 large eggs
75ml sour cream
125g ground almonds
115g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
200g fresh or frozen raspberries
25g flaked almonds
1tbsp caster sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to gas 4.
Grease a 20cm spring-form or loose bottomed cake tin and line the base with baking paper.
Beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then beat in the sour cream. The mixture may look as though it is curdling, but don't panic.
Add the almonds, flour and baking powder. You should now have a smooth, creamy batter.
Stir in three-quarters of the raspberries and spoon into the prepared tin. Scatter over the remaining raspberries, the flaked almonds and the extra tablespoon of caster sugar.
Bake the cake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, testing it with a skewer after an hour. If the skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake, it is ready.
The top of the cake should be wonderfully golden, crispy and cracking slightly.
Leave the cake to cool in the tin for about 30 minutes before removing.
Cut into wedges and serve warm or cold, just as it is or with a spoonful of sour cream.

Chorizo with butter beans and peppers

So simple and delicious, that it can't even be called a recipe!

Soften 1 peeled, sliced red onion in olive oil and then set aside. Fry 200g sliced chorizo, then stir in the onion and 100g roasted red peppers (from a jar!!). Pour in 100ml of dry sherry and bubble for a minute. Stir in 410g tin of butter beans and 400ml vegetable stock. Simmer for 7-8 minutes until the liquid reduces by half. Serve with crusty bread.