Mint Herb

The mint herb comes in many varieties, but the most popular for kitchen use is peppermint. It grows anywhere but don't give it too much shade as the stems grow very long in between the leaves.

It grows so quickly and is 'invasive' - it's best to confine it to one area if you can - I have built a little area with stones that confines my mint, but to be honest, runners shoot up everywhere ;-)

It can be used in an infusion to aid digestion and a mint tea can ease stomach upsets.

It 'cuts through' fatty meat - that's why mint sauce is traditionally served with roast lamb. Personally I prefer a mint jelly as the vinegar in the sauce makes wine unpalatable - yeah right...

Just make an apple jelly and chop a good handful of mint leaves into it.

Growing Mint Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant - confine it if you can or it will overrun your herb garden.

Plant the mint into a large pot and then sink it into the garden - give the pot a 'tug' every couple of months to detach the roots - it will confine to a degree, but you will no doubt find runners shooting up anyway - give them to a friend and warn them about the shoots - or an enemy and don't tell them!

In the second year of growth, you can cut freely - the more you cut, the more it shoots.

There are many varieties but the two I have are peppermint and apple mint herb plants.

You can take a runner and plant it up to bring indoors for the winter - the mint herb dies down in the winter - it's a perennial.

Drying Mint Cut stems just prior to the plant flowering and leave in a warm dry and airy place until the leaves are brittle. Rub them to make flakes and put them into an airtight jar.

I prefer to freeze the mint herb though as a way of using mint through the winter. Just cut young shoots and put them onto a tray in the freezer - once they're frozen, then pack them into a box and use as you would fresh.

Using mint with fish I like to chop some leaves into runny honey and use it to brush plain fish before grilling or barbecueing. Alternatively, make a marinade with a tablespoon of honey, a small glass of white wine and a few chopped mint leaves. Leave the fish to marinade for about an hour before grilling or baking.

Mint Butter Chop a few leaves and mix into butter. Use to top plain grilled or baked fish.

I always add a sprig of mint into my new potatoes when cooking and also I use it with peas and carrots - the mint herb reminds me of spring and I love to smell it during the winter so I make room in the freezer for it!

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Mint Herb - back to Herb Index