Hi, My boyfriend bought me a peppermint plant not too long ago, and I've planted it along with my other herbs in my garden. Other than using it to flavor my tea, I don't really know what else I can do with it in terms of food and recipes. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions they'd like to share? Thanks in advance.
I make mint jelly to serve with lamb. I cook down a batch of apples with a splash of water - skin, pips, the lot. Then after about 40 minutes gentle cooking, when you have a pan of pulp, I let it drip through a jelly bag for 24 hours. I measure the liquid and for every pint of juice, I use a pound of sugar. It is exactly the same as making a fruit jelly preserve or jam. I just chop the mint leaves finely, add them to the sugar/apple syrup, and boil rapidly until setting point is reached. I then bottle in warm, sterile jars. I also love it chopped finely and sprinkled over new season new potatoes or added to a cold potato salad. In fact, if you are making a large green salad, then I would add a bunch of young mint tips to the salad leaves. I had a little google also and came across this site with some interested recipe ideas. http://recipes.epicurean.com/asc_results.jsp?title=Mint
I don't have any recipes to add but EJ's sounds delicious! I learned the HARD way that mint spreads like wildfire in the garden!!!
I chop the mint up very very fine and mix it in with ground burger meat before cooking on the grill. Kind of different. I sprinkle it on fruit salad sometimes too. Yum. But my favorite favorite thing to use mint for is Tabouleh Salad. Yummy yum yummy yum!!! Here is a recipe that looks about how I make mine but you can adjust it to your liking with more/less of the ingredients (I like a little less onion and a little more lemon). I chop the herbs more finely. I hope you like it if you try it. YUM!!! http://www.soundvision.com/Info/halalhe ... bouleh.asp
You could make the yogurt drink known as Lassi in India. I liked the so-called "Fruit Lassi" best. It goes like this: 250ml chipped ice Pour in ice cold water until it reached the 1 liter mark Add 1 liter yogurt Throw your selection of fruit(s) into a blender and blend it to a pulp Add sugar to taste (you can also add some ginger if you are feeling exotic) Actually one can make Lassi several different ways (it doesn't have to have fruit in it at all), but this is the way I like it best.
Since Sjoerd mentioned an Indian recipe , here is one of mine. Mint Chutney ( dip / spread ) Take about one cup of mint leaves , half an onion , a bit of ginger , a green chilli , salt , two tablespoons coriander powder , a tablespoon of lemon juice . Put them all together and blend to a slightly coarse consistency . You can blend it as fine as you like , I prefer it this way . You can add some green coriander and/or a tomato . Experiment till you find what you like .
I use sprigs of mint in soap. Let them steep in melted goats milk soap until the fragrance is right, they turn the soap a pretty green too.
I'll second the tabbouleh. I love mint in salads, particularly if there will be an Italian or otherwise vinegar and oil dressing. It is good added to kabobs made with ground meat. Often good in winter soups, if you would like to dry some to put away for winter cooking.
Oh my, I love peppermint anything...LOL Everyone posted some great ideas for you. I can't think of anything else. I'm going to try some mint jelly that EJ mentioned...we haven't had lamb in a long time!
wow! never thought there are lots of uses for mint. the burger recipe fascinated me so i'd give it a try.
It is easy to grow them. In fact you can grow them on an indoor setting. It is advisable to plant them in a containner or pot since it grows and spreads fast. Ideal for planting in part-sun to shade areas
