Lavender

Dried lavender is a versatile cooking ingredient, used in sweet and savoury dishes and as edible decoration.

The lavender buds contain the essential oils, and are a great way to introduce natural, floral perfumes into dishes. Try mixing the edible lavender with honey, lemon, garlic and olive oil for a floral, summer meat marinade – especially good with barbecued lamb.

Also try grinding the dried lavender with sugar for a scented sweetener, infuse the flowers with cream for lavender crème brulees, or use in marshmallow and macaron-making.