Fresh Mint Recipes: Simple, Delicious Ways to Enjoy Mint

Does it seem like your garden is been taken over mint? There are so many ways to use it up! Brew up some mint tea, add it to a glass of iced tea, infuse mint flavors into pantry staples, or cook with it in so many different ways.

We regularly go into the garden, pinch off some mint, and pop a sprig it into our iced tea. Teas that pair well with mint are all green teas including Jasmine as well as most black teas, especially Ceylons.

We have developed a few very simple, very delicious recipes, using mint, that we would love to share with you! There's a Mint Parsley Tea Sandwiches, Chocolate Covered Mint Leaves, and Mint Infused Honey. I have been making infused honey for years and this recipe is my go-to. We of course cant do a mint posting without paying homage to the tradition of Moroccan Mint Tea as well. 

Mint Parsley Tea Sandwiches

I found this recipe in my collection of old cookbooks. . It makes a delicious change from the mundane cucumber sandwich and is always popular with our guests. 

Ingredients:

• 1 C. Mint, Finely Chopped
• 1 C. Parsley, Finely Chopped
  
• 2 tsp. Minced Onion
• 4 tsp. Mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp. Paprika
• Dash of salt
• White Bread
• Butter
  
• Mint leaves, to garnish

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a medium bowl and mix until fully combined.
2. Lightly butter some white bread. Spread Mint Parsley Mixture onto bread. Cover with another slice of buttered bread.
3. Remove crusts, slice into rectangles or squares.
4. Garnish with a mint leaves and serve.

Fresh Chocolate Mints

Chocolate mint leaves offer a refined, fresh-tasting dessert that rivals After Eight Dinner Mints. Not only are they visually appealing, but fresh mint also soothes the digestion and contains vitamins and antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch mint
• 1 oz. Chocolate* - You can use bittersweet, semisweet, milk chocolate or even white chocolate. 

Directions:

1. Remove the leaves off the mint stems. Wash and thoroughly pat dry. If there is any moisture, the chocolate won’t stick.
2. Using a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate until smooth and runny.
3. Dip each leaf, covering both sides of half the mint leaf. This is easiest done by dragging it through the chocolate in one direction, then flipping and dragging back the other way. Alternatively, you can use a clean paintbrush paint the chocolate onto the leaves.  
4. Place the chocolate-covered mint on parchment paper to set. This takes about one hour.

You can store the leftovers, but not for long. This is the only drawback to this recipe. You need to make this dessert on the day you plan on eating it. Fresh mint leaves don't keep for more than a day, two at the most. So, if you do have leftovers, place them in the fridge in an airtight container, but plan on finishing them up quickly.

*Do not melt chocolate chips to use in this recipe as they are made with added stabilizers to help them hold their shape.  

Mint Honey

This is so easy that anyone can do it. All you need is honey, mint, and a little bit of time! The mint adds such a bright and fresh taste to the honey…and the flavor is amazing. Honey's sweetness can balance the refreshing taste of mint, making it a perfect addition to both hot and iced teas. This would also be great as a glaze for protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 C. Mint, loosely packed
• ~15 oz. Honey

Directions:

1. Place one cup of loosely packed mint* in a clean pint-sized jar.
2. Add 15 oz. (approximately) of honey and seal tightly.
3. Let sit at room temperature for 7 days. Invert the jar at least once per day.
4. Using a strainer, pour the honey into 8 oz. glass jars.
5. Tightly cap with the jar lid and label with name and date. 

Honey will last in the capped jars for up to a year.

*Dried mint leaves can be used. 

You could also make this Mint Dog Biscuit recipe we previously posted.