The Spice Shop

Ceps/Porcini, 25g Rinse the dried mushrooms first, then soak for about 20 minutes. Use the water they have soaked in as well as it gives a lovely mushroom stock. Unit price: £3.95 (approx. €4.42)

Chanterelles, 25g A trumpet-shaped wild mushroom with a delicate, nutty, fruity flavour. Rinse first then soak for about 20 mins and add to soups, sauces or rice dishes. Unit price: £2.99 (approx. €3.35)

Shiitake, 25g Originally from Japan and Korea, this mushroom is now widley available in Europe and can be used for sauteeing, broiling and roasting. Unit price: £2.99 (approx. €3.35)

Byriani Curry Blend

Mix diced beef with spices and natural yogurt and leave to marinade for at least three hours, or better, overnight, in a pot. Cook basmati rice until half-done. Cover the marinated meat with rice; poke few holes through the rice to the bottom of the pot, and pour some oil into them. Cover the pot and cook for half an hour, or until meat is done, then leave on low heat for another 15 minutes. Recipe by Mr. K.

Aniseeds, green

Try making shortbread flavoured with aniseed: Mix 4 oz butter + 2 oz sugar. Add 6 oz plain flour and 2 tsp aniseeds. Roll the dough out to 1/2" thickness and stamp out biscuits. Chill for 20 mins then bake at 190°/gas 5 for 15-20 mins. Cool on the tray.

Mexican Quesadilla seasoning

Season your meat or re-fried beans with this spice mix. Pile on to tortilla breads, add grated cheese, top with a second bread and fry in oil. Delicious!!

Ajowan - Carom - Kings Cumin

East African chicken soup is awesome with ajowan! Brown some onions and crushed peanuts or cashews in oil, add chopped up chicken leg - skin bones and all, they add to the flavor - brown on all sides, cover with water and cook with cumin and ajowan seeds until done; finish by stirring in a can of coconut milk. The ajowan balances out the sweetness of nuts and milk; really good quick soup.