Fresh mint is great to have on hand. You can add it to a bevy of dishes and drinks―chicken, lamb, fruit, and beverages. For example, fresh mint leaves impart delicious complexity to a simple green salad. Mint's coolness also balances the fire in spicy dishes, which is why it's an important seasoning in Middle Eastern, Asian, and Latin cuisines. Its clean, refreshing taste and cooling effect make it a welcome addition to beverages during warmer months. Many people are familiar with classic mint-infused cocktails such as the julep and the mojito, but mint also refreshes nonalcoholic beverages, such as limeade. And, of course, the sprightly herb is at home in a variety of desserts.
Use mint in these six delicious dishes:
1. Chicken Salad with Nectarines in Mint Vinaigrette
2. Curried Lamb Chops with Minted Chutney
3. Fruit Salad with Citrus-Mint Dressing
4. Iced Mint Tea
5. Mojito
6. Shrimp with Lemon, Mint, and Goat Cheese
Choosing and Storing
If you're buying mint at the market, look for bright green, crisp leaves with no signs of wilting. Place the stems in a glass containing a couple of inches of water, and cover leaves loosely with plastic wrap or a zip-top plastic bag (do not seal the bag). Refrigerate for up to one week, changing the water every other day.
Fresh mint can also be frozen for later use. Simply rinse the leaves, pat dry, and freeze in a zip-top plastic bag (the leaves will darken once they're frozen, but that doesn't affect the flavor). Later, pull out what you need, and return the rest to the freezer. You may prefer to freeze whole or chopped mint leaves in ice-cube trays with water, which preserves the green color. After they freeze, remove cubes from the trays, and store in zip-top plastic bags. Add these minty ice cubes to drinks; or thaw, drain, and use in recipes calling for mint.
Mint in Your Garden
Members of the genus Mentha are hardy perennials that come back year after year. They thrive in sun or partial shade and do
well in average soil, and many withstand droughts and heat. Mint plants require little maintenance―but they will take over the garden if allowed. They have a running root system, which is no problem if you have an area devoted
entirely to the herb. If space is limited, grow mint in containers or pots to keep it in bounds. To encourage bushy growth,
occasionally pinch off the growing tip just above the first set of leaves. This will result in new shoots, yielding more leaves
to harvest. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart.
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