The Spice Shop

Black Lava Salt, 100g This Hawaiian black salt is a truly amazing salt. It is high in minerals from the black lava rocks that are placed into the basins were the salty sea water is evaporating, then the tiny salt crystals are skimmed off the surface, a time consuming work process but a stunning relust. I use the salt as a finishing salt and sprinkle it over the plate just before serving. Unit price: £8.55 (approx. €9.58)

Fleur de Sel, 100g The most wonderful salt with a hint of violet. Use this at the end of cooking like a condiment to get the full aroma. Remember a little goes a long way with this salt. Unit price: £7.99 (approx. €8.95)

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (Suitable for Mills), 250g A flaky salt from Essex, great in cooking or as a condiment. Unit price: £3.99 (approx. €4.47)

Sea Salt granules for mills, 500g Sea salt that is just the right size for salt grinders. Unit price: £2.00 (approx. €2.24)

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!!

Chilli con Carne mix

Brown onions and minced beef in oil, add water, soaked beans, and spice (1 teaspoon per person - make sure some bay leaves make it into the pot), chopped tomatoes, and cook until done. Make a huge pot to last you a week, as it gets better with time. I normally add some chillies as well.

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.