Cooking with Mint - Cooking Light

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Merry Mint

Fresh mint is great to have on hand and adds dimension to sweet and savory dishes. Its clean, refreshing taste and cooling effect make it a welcome addition to a number of sweet and spicy dishes and drinks.

First up is Greek Lamb Chops and Mint Yogurt Sauce. Give lamb chops a Greek twist with the addition of fresh oregano and a minty yogurt sauce. If you have trouble finding the right size lamb loin chops, ask the butcher to cut them to the size you need. For a thicker sauce, use Greek-style yogurt.

View Recipe: Greek Lamb Chops and Mint Yogurt Sauce

Photo: John Autry

Mint Gremolata Zucchini with Sea Salt

Grilled zucchini is great with olive oil and sea salt, but take the extra step and serve with this mint, parsley, and lemon gremolata. Mint and zucchini are a smart pairing in recipes, too, since both are such prolific producers in the garden.

View Recipe: Mint Gremolata Zucchini with Sea Salt

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Mint is decidedly one of the most refreshing flavors, doubly so in ice-cream form. The trick to getting your preferred mint flavor is in choosing spearmint or peppermint. Sweet mint, also labeled as spearmint, tastes sweeter when muddled for recipes, while peppermint has a faint menthol flavor. Or try some of the flavored varieties like chocolate, apple, or citrusy orange mint.

View Recipe: Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Halibut and Shrimp with Minted Broth

The fish fillets should fit rather snugly in the pot with enough room for some shrimp to slip between the crevices. The braising liquid is a nifty mixture of chicken broth, white wine, and Thai green curry paste–available in most supermarkets these days.

View Recipe: Halibut and Shrimp with Minted Broth

Chocolate-Mint Bars

You’ll love these if you’re a big fan of the thin chocolate mint Girl Scout cookies. The dense base layer is like a rich, fudgy brownie, so don’t overcook it or the dessert bars will be dry. Refrigerating the mint bars allows the chocolaty top layer to set properly. You can make the dessert up to one day ahead.

View Recipe: Chocolate-Mint Bars

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Bulgur, Mint, and Parsley Salad

Light, herby, and vibrantly flavored, this salad makes a fine addition to a meze spread. Make up to two hours ahead so tastes can meld.

View Recipe: Bulgur, Mint, and Parsley Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cucumber-Mint Tequila Tonic

This is the perfect warm weather cocktail. Made with fresh mint and cilantro leaves and chopped cucumber, it's refreshing and fabulous.

View Recipe: Cucumber-Mint Tequila Tonic

Photo: Randy Mayor

Fresh Pea Soup with Mint

Serve warm or at room temperature for a first course or with a salad for a light meal.

View Recipe: Fresh Pea Soup with Mint

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Boasting just 82 calories and a boatload of vitamin C, these double-decker popsicles feature a sweet-tart lemon layer topped with a minty watermelon layer. If you prefer one flavor over the other, double the amount of ingredients required for each layer and make single flavored pops.

View Recipe: Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Mussels with Peas and Mint

Enjoy fresh mussels any night of the week with this simple recipe that is bursting with the flavors of spring.

View Recipe: Mussels with Peas and Mint