mint and cilantro

[Guest guest]

We have a lot of fresh mint and fresh cilantro. What are good uses for

them?

Carmen

[Guest guest]

I use cilantro for guacamole, fresh salsa and black bean salsa. It is added on

to of some lentil soup in your bowl. I also add it sometimes to potato salad

and potato soup.

 

Mint is good added to smoothies. Either blended in it or chopped up on top of

it. Add a spring of it to a glass of ice tea. Put whole leaves in water in

ice cube trays to freeze and use in tea or lemonade. Mint is good added to

tabouli, jellies, peas, carrots and fruit salad.

 

Basil Mint Orange Pesto

1 cup fresh basil leaves, firmly packed

1 cup fresh mint leaves, firmly packed

1/2 cup walnuts

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind

2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup olive oil (or more)

salt and pepper to taste

In a processor, blend first 6 ingredients until almost smooth. With machine

running, gradually add olive oil; process until smooth. If pesto is dry, mix in

more oil by spoonfuls. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made ahead. Press

plastic wrap onto surface of pesto. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze

up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before using.)

 

Mint Strawberry Smoothie

 

1 c. Strawberries, fresh or frozen

1 t.. coarsley chopped fresh mint leaves

1/2. c. Orange Juice

1/2 Vanilla Yogurt

 

Blend together in a blender until smooth.

 

 

Green Bean Salad with Mint

 

1½

pounds fresh green beans

1

garlic clove

 

¾

cup extra virgin olive oil

¼

teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

½

cup fresh mint leaves

1

cup each: toasted walnuts*,chopped

 

¼

cup white wine vinegar

red onion and crumbled feta cheese

 

½

teaspoon salt

 

 

Wash beans and trim ends; cut into halves or thirds. Parboil by dropping into

boiling water 5 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice water 5 minutes; drain and

chill.

 

Combine oil, mint leaves, vinegar, salt, garlic and pepper in food processor or

blender and process 20 seconds; set aside. Place beans in large glass bowl and

top with toasted walnuts, red onion and feta. Pour dressing over salad and toss

before serving. Best if made 2 hours ahead of time or the day before to develop

flavors. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

 

* Place walnuts on cookie sheet or in shallow pan and broil in oven until

browned and aromatic, 5 to 10 minutes, stirring and turning once or twice.

 

Yogurt Cucumber Sauce

 

Ingredients

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup diced (1/4-inch) cucumber

2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried

2 teaspoons fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

 

Cucumber-Yogurt-Mint Soup

Instructions

In a medium-size bowl, mix all the ingredients. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve

at once.

 

a.. 1 large cucumber

b.. 1 8-ounce carton plain low-fat yogurt

c.. 1 tablespoon lime juice

d.. 1 teaspoon honey

e.. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

f.. 1/4 teaspoon salt

g.. 2 tablespoons milk (optional)

h.. 1/3 cup snipped fresh mint

i.. Fresh mint sprigs

Directions

1. Peel the cucumber, then cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and discard.

Cut cucumber into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

 

2. In a blender container or food processor combine cucumber, yogurt, lime

juice, honey, cumin, and salt. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Blend in

milk, if desired. Stir in snipped mint. Cover and chill 2 to 24 hours. Stir

before serving. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Makes 4 side-dish servings

 

Here are several more ideas of what to do with your mint.

 

http://www.herbalgardens.com/archives/herb-monthly-archive/mint.html

 

http://www.recipezaar.com/203296

 

 

 

Enjoy,

 

Judy

 

 

 

Enjoy,

 

Judy

 

 

 

 

-

Carmen Tinker

Tuesday, July 24, 2007 6:49 PM

mint and cilantro

 

 

We have a lot of fresh mint and fresh cilantro. What are good uses for

them?

Carmen