Page 88 - Taste_and_Travel_International

TASTE;5TRAVEL KITCHEN

confused with an edible mint, although it is a member of the
same family is salvia, because of its psychedelic effects. This
plant grows in Mexico and Central America as well as in South
America. It is also known as Magic Mint, Sally-D, Maria Pastora
and Diviner’s Sage.
Mint leaves are used medicinally but must be free of mint
rust. The essential oil, peppermint oil, contains menthol
(up to 50%) along with esters and menthone, plus various
tannins and bitter compounds. These give peppermint oil in
various medicines their stomachic, carminative and antiseptic
MINT
))%Ũ properties as well making it a refreshing expectorant. The
it essential oil, which is obtained by steam distillation from
JUSTIN HENRY
SERVES 1 the fresh or partly dried herb, is often found in toothpastes
Mojito and mouthwashes, as well as in liqueurs such as Crème de
Menthe and in confectionary such as candied mint leaves.

" Ũ')- Ũ &# #) /-Ũ 1 3Ũ.)Ũ ($)3Ũ." Ũ4#**3Ũ
, -"( --Ũ) Ũ'#(.UŨ
Sugar 1 tsp 1 USING a muddler or the handle
Lime of a wooden spoon, mash the
1, zest and juice sugar, lime zest and juice with
one sprig of mint in a highball
Fresh Mint
2 sprigs glass. Add ice cubes and rum.
Top up with soda water and stir.
White Rum 3 oz
Garnish with the other sprig
Soda Water of mint and if you have more
to top up limes, add some slices. ))%Ũ
it

SERVES 4
Mint has long been used as a food and summer drink Cucumber Salad
flavouring and many species are known, showing subtle
differences in the aromas they release.
Most people know spearmint and peppermint, a with Mint
cultivated form — a hybrid between Water Mint ( ċƫ
Ũ& ) 0 & 3Ũ, , -"#(!Ũ -# Ũ #-"Ũ.)Ũ- ,0 Ũ1#."Ũ
-1 0% ) and Spearmint ( ċƫ/,% 0 ). This type is widely
grown commercially for use in the pharmaceutical $/-.Ũ )/.Ũ (3."#(!UŨ " Ũ' ,#( . Ũ / /' ,Ũ
industry and for culinary purposes. It grows wild in -&# -VŨ &).. Ũ1#."Ũ* * ,Ũ.)1 &VŨ &-)Ũ' % Ũ (Ũ & ! (.Ũ
Europe in damp places. There are many other varieties, - ( 1# "Ũ #&&#( U
all with subtle differences in taste and aroma, such as
curly mint, apple, orange and pineapple mint which are
Telegraph Cucumber 1 1 SCORE the skin of the
not as strongly flavoured, but refreshing in cabbage cucumber lengthwise
or cucumber salads, and sprinkled over potatoes. Mint Spring Onion 1, chopped
with the tines of a fork.
adds a nice touch of flavour to zucchini and to lamb Sugar 1 tsp Slice thinly.
and veal dishes. It is also used in various teas, jellies
Salt ½ tsp
and juleps. If you are using fresh mint, allow about ¼ to 2 TOSS in a bowl
White Pepper ½ tsp
½ teaspoon, crushed just before using, per serving. with the remaining
Mint is important in North African and Middle Eastern Fresh Mint ingredients and allow
cuisine. Hot, sweet mint tea is Morocco’s favourite drink a handful, finely chopped to stand for 15 minutes
and an essential element of Moroccan hospitality. Fresh White Wine Vinegar ¼ cup before serving.
mint enlivens fattoush — a Middle Eastern salad designed
to make use of stale pita breads, and the Iranian herb
omelette '1'1*!ƫ/ 6%. Dried mint features strongly in
Persian cuisine. / (ŗ && .. ŗ#-ŗ (ŗ .. 1 Ě - ŗ1,#. ,ŗ1#."ŗ
There are many other plants in the mint family, ŗ-* # &ŗ#(. , -.ŗ#(ŗ -. ,(ŗ ( ŗ -. ,(ŗ /,)* ąŗ
including catnip, bergamot, thyme, rosemary, sage, "#-.),3ąŗ., 0 &ąŗ )) ŗ ( ŗ ,.Ąŗ
pennyroyal and lavender. One that must never be

86 TASTE;5TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL5 JANUARY–MARCH 2018