In no order whatsoever...

LAVENDER BITTERS

What's that? I tasted it as an ingredient in a Sweet Lavender Martini, one of the best cocktails I've ever drunk, with afternoon tea at One Aldwych. My clever mum tracked it down online and gave me a bottle. It's lavender essence, made only of lavender and alcohol, and adds a hint of lavender, as you'd expect! I've used it to make...

...MY BEST G&T EVER

Sipsmith gin, tonic, a splash of elderflower cordial and a couple of drops of lavender bitters. The extra additions add a sweet, flowery note, without ruining the bitter tang.

STRAWBERRIES FROM MY GARDEN

For me, anything you grow yourself has a touch of magic. Admittedly there were only a few strawberries but they'd been warmed by the sun and went from the earth to my mouth (with a second to brush the soil off) in moments. No need to drown them by washing; it's my garden and I know they've been grown organically. One thing I noticed is when you pick your own you can pull the stalk right out of the berry, which is how I remember strawberries from childhood. But with those you buy from the supermarket, only the leaves come away in your fingers and the white, tough core remains.

COTTAGE CHEESE

Everyone wonders whether you're on a diet when you eat this, but I've always liked it. Mildly tangy, with those little bobbles to roll around your mouth, I always find it cool and fresh for summer packed lunches.

HOMEMADE POPCORN

A certain supermarket (Sainsbury's, if you're reading this, I mean you) has stopped selling ready-made smoked paprika popcorn. Smoked paprika is one of my favourite flavours and I love popcorn, but it doesn't seem to be on the shelves any more. So I made my own. So simple, so cheap, so delicious!. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a heavy-based pan, add 50g popping corn, shake a bit and put the lid on. A glass lid is the most fun as you can watch the kernels explode. keep shaking the pan back and forth on the hob to give all the kernels contact with the heat. When the popping stops, it's done (though you may get a few rogue kernels leaving it a little late). Pour into a bowl and add your flavouring of choice. Mine was sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder.

What have you enjoyed eating or drinking this week?