The Scented Kitchen

Using flowers in the kitchen is growing massively in popularity, and this expanded new edition of Frances Bissell's widely acclaimed book allows readers to move beyond scattering a few petals on a salad to enjoy the scents and flavours of both wild and garden flowers such as lavender, elderflower, fennel and roses.

Her recipes include the simple - and highly effective - flavouring of basic ingredients that allows the cook to transform other dishes. Elderflower Vinegar, for example, lifts an ordinary green salad to a subtly perfumed treat, while Lavender-Flavoured Honey is as delicious on toast as it is when cooked with Roast Duck and Sesame Seeds.

Other highly original recipes include Braised Lamb Shanks with Carnation Sauce, Orange and Fennel Flower Sorbet, Mussels in Cider and Saffron, and Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Roses and Cucumber. And, just in case those toiling in the kitchen are in need of a pick-me-up, Frances also offers Frozen Elderflower Margarita, Lavender Julep and other flower-scented cocktails.