Fig, almond and yogurt cake with a warm honey glaze

Joan Ransley August 13, 2015

This is the season for ripe, succulent figs. It is rare to taste ripe figs in this country but if you are going to now is the time to seek them out in good green grocers where they have been imported from Europe.

Pink elderflower champagne

Joan Ransley July 19, 2015

Last year I wrote a post on how to make elderflower champagne using straight forward white lacy elderflowers. This year I decided to try a version of the same using pink elderflowers from a black elderflower tree (sambucus nigra) growing in my garden.

Elderflower power

Joan Ransley June 27, 2015

We love this gluten free polenta cake. It takes 10 minutes to weigh out and mix the ingredients together and just 40 minutes to cook. It can also be adapted to the flavours of the seasons.

Taking stock - Japanese miso soup

Joan Ransley June 19, 2015

Miso soup is the ultimate comfort food. It is gentle, soothing and has a delicious savoury flavour. It is the ideal thing to eat if you feel like a nutritious, simple meal.

Spilling the beans on cake

Joan Ransley June 12, 2015

If you are lucky enough to live in Ilkley, or visit Ilkley this summer it will not take you long to find a cafe called Toast House.