Mint

General
Region Produced
Traditional Uses
Aroma & Taste
History
Storage
Ideas
Related how-tos
Comments

All about mint for use in cooking and in recipes.

General
Region Produced
Traditional Uses
Aroma & Taste
History
Storage
Ideas
Related how-tos
Comments

All about mint for use in cooking and in recipes.

General

Mint is the dried leaf of a perennial herb. There are two important species, Mentha spicata L. (spearmint) and Mentha piperita L. (peppermint).

Region Produced

United States

Traditional Uses

Mint jelly served with lamb, sprinkled in peas, or in chocolate desserts.

Aroma & Taste

Mint is strong and sweet with a tangy flavor and a cool after taste.

History

Spearmint and peppermint are both native to Asia. Peppermint was used by Eyptians, and spearmint is mentioned in the Bible. Spearmint grew wild in the United States after the 1600s, and peppermint was cultivated commercially before the Civil War.

Storage

Store in cool, dark, dry places.

Mint growing in garden

Ideas

Use mint in salad dressings, flavored tea, and zesty marinades. Stir into warmed apple or currant jelly for a quick meat sauce or dessert topping.

Related recipes

Easy Mint Peas

Quick, easy and refreshing. Serve this tasty and light side dish with any your favorite meat dishes.

Mango Mint Salsa

Fruity, sweet, tangy and minty. This salsa make a perfect accompaniment with grilled or pan seared pork chops for a speedy weeknight dinner.

Fast Food-Style Creamy Vanilla-Mint Milkshake

Here is a recipe taken from my local newspaper. The addition of crème fraiche provides both a rich mouth feel as well as a deep, creamy flavor. If you have trouble finding it, substitute an equal amount of full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt.

Asparagus & Mint Frittata

Seasonal asparagus, fresh mint, parsley leaves, and parmesan cheese together make a delicious frittata that fits in any moment.

Skillet Peas with Red Onion & Mint

This quick and easy sauteed peas are very tasty, red onions and fresh mint are great accompaniments. The dish comes out refreshing and flavorful!

Sugar Snap Peas with Mint

Very easy vegetarian recipe that highlight the sweetness and crispness of sugar snap peas.

Pea-Mint Sauce

A very refreshing and tasty sauce! We had lots of frozen peas and lots of fresh mint growing at our backyard, this recipe was perfect for us to use up some of the peas and mint.

Fried Tomatoes with Mint Couscous

A lively fresh appetizer perfect for the summer. Mint and oregano brightness the couscous toped with fried tomatoes, almonds and a bit of salty feta.

Minted Peas & Rice with Feta

It tasted very refreshing and flavorful. The leftover was kept in the fridge and had it for brunch today, even better.

Pork Chops and Sugar Snap Peas with Mint Julep Glaze

Pork Chops & Sugar Snap Peas with Mint Julep Glaze

Delicious pork chops are seared in a hot skillet, sugar snap peas are cooked in a flavorful broth, which makes this one-skillet meal that's quick, easy to prepare and perfect for a week day dinner.

Yogurt with Cumcumber and Mint (Kheere Ka Raita)

Yogurt with Cumcumber & Mint (Kheere Ka Raita)

Mint & Cucumber Raita

This is an awesome Raita (cucumber and yogurt) with the fresh zing of mint which goes well with lamb or to cool off your taste buds with a spicy curry or any other hot and spicy dish.

Minted Edamame Roasted Tomato Canapes

Fresh soybeans (edamame) dip on crackers topped with a roasted cherry tomato. Perfect light tasting finger food when company is coming.

Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's hard to be not tasty when there are fresh mint and chocolate chips in cookies. If you have lots of fresh mint growing at your back yard, these delicious chocolate chip mint cookies should definitely be on your "to-bake" list!

Chocolate Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Store-bought ice cream can never beat homemade ice cream, such as this chocolate fresh mint ice cream. It tastes minty-chocolaty, silky and rich. You won't believe it's actually made with 1% milk.

Watermelon, Mint and Feta Salad with Citrus Dressing

Watermelon, Mint & Feta Salad with Citrus Dressing

Juicy and sweet watermelon cubes are tossed with fresh mint leaves, feta cheese and a light yet tasty citrus dressing made with orange juice, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and a bit shallots. Use any kind of your favorite greens as a base. A great summer salad.