Mint is one of those herbs which, if you aren’t careful, can take over your entire garden.
Translation: I’ve got mint. Tons and tons and tons of mint.
Today I thought I’d share a pocketful of uses for mint, just in case anyone out there finds themselves in the same position as me.
In digging through my baking books, I failed to find desserts where mint, the real stuff, is used. Instead, most of the time, a mint themed recipe will use mint extract.
No problem. You know how we make vanilla extract, right? Mint extract is essentially the same.
One of the easiest uses for mint is a simple hot tea, and all it requires is a handful of mint. Heat water to boiling, pour it over mint leaves (1/4 cup, packed), let it steep for about five minutes or longer for stronger flavor and there it is…basic mint tea.
However, we’ve had some pretty hot and humid days recently, so I was searching for something cold and refreshing I could use my mint in. This recipe was the easy answer to my search*.
*Note: This is a concentrate! I also cut the recipe in half, (because it makes a ton!) made a quart to keep in the fridge and froze the remaining amount in cup portions for later.
When I pull out my next cup of concentrate, I am going to add more water (four cups instead of three). It isn’t overly sweet at the current measurements, but if you are looking for only a subtle sweetness, try experimenting with adding more water to the concentrate.
Another problem I face when I stare at all the mint in my garden is thinking forward to when it will be winter and I will find myself bundled up on the couch thinking how nice a cup of fresh mint tea would be with no longer any mint overload in my backyard.
The answer?
Freeze it! Mint (and most herbs) freeze incredibly well. And it is literally as easy as chop + add water + freeze.
If you, like me, enjoy the occasional minty taste in your coffee, you guessed it, you can make a mint simple syrup. I’ve been making regular simple syrup for a while now. I especially like it for iced coffee because then you don’t need to worry about the crystals dissolving.
And lastly, if you’re looking for a savory way to use mint at dinner time, this recipe has become a staple in my house. It’s quick and easy and surprisingly refreshing tasting.
What are some other ways you use mint?
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