Cooking thyme! From recipes for garlicky lamb chops to a medicinal tea, this aromatic herb is an all-round wonder

It’s a magic herb that will bring its unique array of flavours to your dishes, adding complexity and depth to everything from delicious leek and cheese fritters to a moreish mushroom soup

Rachel Allen's lamb chops with garlic and thyme. Photo: Tony Gavin

Rachel Allen

A magic herb in the kitchen and oh-so versatile, thyme is up there as one of my very favourites. Adding a few sprigs of thyme when you are roasting veggies, meat or even fish, brings a unique array of herbal and floral notes that almost tastes like a mixture of rosemary, lavender and mint, with a bit of pepper thrown in.