Lemon verbena is a fragrant herb native to South America. It’s used widely in both savoury and sweet dishes, and makes a delicious infusion to drink as a tea. It’s not all that common at the greengrocer, but you should be able to pick up a small plant at any good nursery. The verbena plant is hardy and easy to grow, and makes a great addition to your herb selection. If you can’t find verbena leaves for this recipe, you could substitute another fragrant soft herb, such as basil or lemon thyme.
This dish is another of those classic combinations – bread, tomatoes and fresh cheese, lifted by the addition of some aromatic verbena oil.