Fresh mint has a taste that is cool and refreshing, which is a perfect characteristic for a hot summer day.
Mint is an herb that comes in many varieties such as peppermint, spearmint, and even chocolate mint.
Judy Toth,
Simply Impressive Cooking School, says, "I used to think I didn’t like mint because I’m not a huge fan of mint candies or cookies. However, there are so many other uses for mint that highlight its wonderful flavor."
Mint's Uses:According to Toth, mint can be used in meat dishes, especially lamb. She goes on to say, it’s great on vegetables such as carrots, bell pepper and tomatoes.
"It’s also fantastic with fruit and punches up the flavor of an ordinary fruit salad. It can be used in yogurt or sauces as well as jellies and teas," says Toth.
It is also used a lot in the Middle East for salads, such as tabouli and marinated vegetables.
It is wonderful for sweet and savory recipes as well. For better flavor, Toth says, mint should be added at the end of cooking.
Buying Mint:You can purchase fresh mint from your local grocery store. Peppermint and spearmint are the most easily found in grocery stores.
If you are lucky enough to have an Asian market close by, Toth says, they have lots of other varieties in their produce section.
Storing Mint:Mint should be stored in the refrigerator for the best freshness. If you buy a bunch of mint, Toth suggests placing it in a container of water, stems down, with a plastic bag loosely covering the top.
Ideally, she says, change the water every two days and the mint should stay fresh for up to a week.
Make sure to get it into the fridge or water immediately when you get home or it will wilt rather quickly.
Mint's Other Uses:Besides tasting fantastic, mint is said to repel mosquitoes.
Toth offers a variety of cooking classes, visit her
Simply Impressive Cooking School website or call (480) 654-1981 for more information.
