Mint a gem in the kitchen
Mint is my hero because it ended my killing spree.
You see, ever since I was a child, I was known for a really bad black thumb - I could not grow anything, and even worse, plants seemed to die under my supervision - even the plastic kind.
Then one day, I noticed mint in a friend's yard and decided to try growing some. I succeeded.
I love this absolutely magnificent herb for its fresh flavour, and that lingering aroma reminds me of all things delicious.
Chef Barton Seaver, author of For Cod and Country, agrees. He loves mint because, much like lemon juice and salt, mint accentuates the natural flavours of a dish.
I loved the words he used about mint's aroma: "It provides a sense of levity to foods."
On to buying this herb - if you don't grow it, you should (if I can grow it...). If you do buy it, buy it by the bunch and avoid the herbs that come in plastic boxes. Use it as needed and store it in the fridge, wrapped in a moist paper towel.
And yes, all you mojito fans, I asked AJ Rathbun, author of Dark Spirits: 200 Classy Concoctions Starring Bourbon, Brandy, Scotch, Whiskey, Rum and More, for his secrets on using mint in drinks.
"I think to maximise the minty-ness, you must get the essential oils in the leaves flowing - those precious oils are what bring the aroma and the taste out to play," he said.
"With this in mind, muddling the mint up (bruising it while rubbing it around the inside of a glass) is the way to go.
"Another option is to hold a leaf flat in your hand and then give it a smack with the other hand, sort of like you're clapping with the mint in the middle. This is a good way to cause the fragrance to burst out, which is especially helpful when using a single beautiful leaf as a garnish, because you want it to still look nice."
There are many kinds of mint out there, but I often find myself turning to the classic mint leaves.
Barton had a similar reaction, noting that while many varieties offer interesting characteristics, they also exhibit a lot of flaws in the balance of flavours; for instance, apple mint is highly fragrant but often very bitter on the palate. It also has a fuzzy texture that is a little off-putting.
Rathbun also loves classic mint flavours. He tends to use peppermint because he finds the taste a little brighter on the tongue than spearmint, but both can be fun.
Mint is amazingly versatile.
"Try using mint with mushrooms next time you cook them. In Italy, you can't buy mushrooms without being handed a few sprigs of nepitella, which is a wild field mint that is a cross between mint and oregano in flavour," Barton said.
He suggests throwing some chopped mint into a batch of roasted vegetables straight from the oven: Put the vegetables into a bowl and toss with mint, chopped parsley and shallot.
RECIPE: INA GARTEN'S MIDDLE EASTERN VEGETABLE SALAD Serves 4 to 6
Adapted from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That?
10 spring onions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
500g ripe tomatoes, seeded, cored and diced
1 cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and diced
1 400g can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
8 ounces feta cheese, diced
Toasted pita bread, for serving
Place the spring onions, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, parsley, mint and basil in a large salad bowl and toss to combine. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, two teaspoons salt and one teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing gently to coat all the vegetables. Add the feta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss gently. Serve the salad with the toasted pita bread.
