• While lemon thyme may look like a regular thyme plant, when the leaves are crushed it releases a beautiful and subtle lemony fragrance. often grown for its use in the kitchen, it also makes an excellent ground cover to use in the garden or between paths – allowing that wonderful aroma to be released whenever someone walks past. In the kitchen A natural antiseptic, lemon thyme has a wealth of natural herbal benefits for the body, including being a great hangover cure when drunk as a tea infusion. However, it’s mainly used like regular thyme in cooking, but with an…

    Satay dipping sauce Makes about 250ml (1 cup) Peanut sauce is delicious as a dip for satay-chicken skewers, crudités or drizzled over Asian noodle dishes – it’s the perfect thing to whip up when you’re making snacks for a crowd. Blitz 200g smooth peanut butter, 1 chopped spring onion, 1 peeled and minced garlic clove, ¼ peeled and finely chopped onion, 30ml (2 tbsp) soya sauce, 15ml (1 tbsp) white wine vinegar, ¼ seeded and chopped red chilli and 60ml (¼ cup) coconut milk until smooth. Season well to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add a…

    Vietnamese iced coffee Makes: 1 Time: 10 mins Pour 200ml strong, chilled coffee over a glass of ice. Add 30ml (2 tbsp) condensed milk and stir to combine, before enjoying as a refreshing drink at any time of the day. Condensed milk and vanilla-roasted figs Serves: 4 Time: 40 mins Preheat the oven to 160°C and grease a roasting dish generously with butter. In the prepared dish, toss 10 figs (some torn and others left whole) with 60ml (¼ cup) condensed milk, seeds of 2 vanilla pods and a pinch salt. Roast until the figs are soft and the condensed…

    Creamy chocolate and vanilla rice pudding Serves: 4 – 6 Time: 45 mins Add 200g arborio rice, 700ml full-cream milk, 60g icing sugar, pinch salt, 250ml (1 cup) fresh cream, 100g butter and seeds of 2 vanilla pods to a medium saucepan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the mixture has thickened, about 30 minutes. Swirl 120g chocolate spread through the warm rice pudding before serving in bowls. Cheat ’s chocolate panna cotta Serves: 2 Time: 20 mins + 4 hrs, to set Soak 2 gelatine leaves (5g) in cold water until soft, about 10 minutes. In a medium…