Bishop’s weed

Also known as carom or lovage (not true, because lovage is a separate member of the same family), bishop’s weed is indigenous to India and has a peppery-hot taste with undertones of oregano and thyme (because it contains the same essential oil, called thymol). Because of its strong digestive qualities, it is sizzled in oil to assertively flavor many of Gujarat’s legume-based curries.

If you can’t locate bishop’s weed, substitute dried thyme leaves, but use only half the amount (for 1 teaspoon bishop’s weed, use ½ teaspoon dried thyme). Add ½ teaspoon ground black pepper for every teaspoon of thyme, and mix the two together.