Make a baste using a quarter of a cup of olive oil, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 10 crushed garlic cloves, and finely chopped savoury herbs such as rosemary, thyme, marjoram, oregano, sage.
The recipes from this week's swap though, are far from pedestrian; with savoury herbs, creamy chestnuts, and believe it or not, the water from a can of chickpeas, there's no need to go classic from this moment onwards.
Claire Thomson's cherry focaccia – you can easily make savoury versions with herbs, cooked pumpkin, onion, aubergine, peppers or olives.
By mixing a heated flavoured liquid such as a savoury clear beef stock, herb infusion (much like making a tea) or sweet syrups, with ordinary gelatin (the pack would give a ratio of how much to add as the products do vary).
In the state of Puebla, for example, you will encounter the herb-rich savoury chocolate sauce of "mole", variations of which are found across the country.
Ground coriander and cumin are also pretty much a given, and I like the fiery sweetness of Helou's Lebanese seven-spice powder, with its ginger, cinnamon and allspice, which balances beautifully with the savoury garlic and peppery herbs.
"In savoury dishes, flowers from herbs like rosemary and thyme, which have a short season, add a unique and distinct flavour while, in desserts, roses, lavender and hibiscus all add a subtle, sweet and slightly scented flavour – which works well".
On the savoury side, the tomato and herb twists were a cinch to make and perfect to nibble on with a drink while the star of the show is in the oven.
Luise: Our version of a warm Mexican breakfast salad has a lovely balance between sweet mango, savoury beans, creamy avocado, sunny eggs, herbs and a fierce kick from the jalapeños.
Other herbs such as thyme or savoury would taste good and Allan has a good tip for frying them in salty smoked bacon fat for breakfast.
