Rosewater

Most ingredients in the book are easily available in the UK, often in larger supermarkets and Asian grocers. If you’re in London, a few steps away from Brick Lane you’ll find a few of the usual supermarkets and smaller independent stores. But you can’t beat Taj Stores (112 Brick Lane, www.tajstores.co.uk) for wide selection and all-round shopping experience. This Bangladeshi supermarket is a local institution and first opened its doors in 1936. Along with catering to the eclectic taste of London, the store sells fresh meat, frozen seafood and a wonderful array of fruits and vegetables. There’s an exciting mix of the familiar with the unfamiliar on display and the store remains firmly attuned to the changing needs of its client base. I’ve managed to pick up dried rose petals, dragon fruit, lychee and mastic (gum arabic) as well as Middle Eastern seasonings. You can even get hold of some kitchen/serve ware if you’re pressed for time – it really is a one stop shop. For South East Asian recipes it’s always worth popping to Chinatown for a browse for things like black fermented soybeans.