Lemon-Mint Spritzer
This fizzy concoction will help cool the palate after this week’s spicy red beans and rice!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup packed mint leaves, stems removed
1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Ice
Club soda
Method:
1. To make mint simple syrup, combine sugar, water, and mint leaves in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Immediately reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Strain the leaves.
3. To assemble the spritzer, add 1 ounce each of simple syrup and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with ice. Top with about 6 ounces of club soda. Stir. Garnish with fresh mint.
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Meyer Lemon Bars
Finish off your Easter feast with these bright bars!
Ingredients:
For the crust:
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
5 eggs
1½ cups sugar
¾ cup Meyer lemon juice (from about 4-5 lemons)
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest (from about 4-5 lemons)
Pinch kosher salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Method:
1. Liberally grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with a little bit of the softened butter. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. To prepare the crust: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, mix the softened butter, powdered sugar and kosher salt on high until well combined. Add the flour and mix on low speed until the dough begins to just stick together and clump up. Press the dough mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan with your hands. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until just starting to brown.
3. Meanwhile, make the topping: In the same mixing bowl, mix together the 5 eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, a pinch of kosher salt and baking powder on medium-high speed until well combined and pale in color. Add the flour and mix until smooth.
4. After the crust has baked, remove from the oven and turn the temperature down to 325°. After the crust has cooled in the pan slightly, pour the topping in and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Cut into squares and top with powdered sugar, berries, lemon zest, and/or mint leaves, if desired.
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Grilled Eggplant with Lemon & Mint
Tossed with fresh mint for added brightness, this barbecued eggplant boasts a wonderfully-rich and smoky flavor.
Ingredients:
2 medium eggplants
Olive oil, for basting
For dressing:
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1-2 teaspoons sugar
4 tablespoons very coarsely chopped mint
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Prepare the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon zest and juice and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Add in sugar, salt and pepper and check for taste (it should be fairly sweet). Add in half of the chopped mint and set aside.
2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Cut each eggplant lengthwise into about 8 thin slices about ¼-inch thick, then brush each liberally with olive oil. Lay on the grill, cooking each side about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and slightly charred.
3. Arrange the slices on a large platter and spoon dressing over top. Cover and set aside to allow eggplant to soak up the dressing. Sprinkle with the remaining mint and serve warm or at room temperature.
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Fennel-Lemon Crush
This spritzy drink is fit for a lazy morning, with muddled mint, fennel syrup and lemon.
Ingredients:
1 cup San Pellegrino sparkling water
½ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4 tablespoons Farm & Larder fennel simple syrup (to taste)
2-3 fresh mint leaves
Sugar
Ice
Method:
1. In the bottom of a shaker, muddle the mint leaves with a dash of sugar. Add the lemon juice and syrup, and muddle well. Let this mixture sit a few minutes to steep.
2. Add San Pellegrino and ice, and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with fresh mint.
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Preserved Meyer Lemons
Toss these preserved beauties with roasted fingerling potatoes, or whisk the pulp into a salad dressing or a Bloody Mary.
Ingredients:
6 Meyer lemons
â…“ cup kosher salt
â…” cup fresh lemon juice
Method:
1. Scrub lemons and dry well. Quarter lemons lengthwise.
2. Toss the lemon wedges with the salt in a bowl and transfer to a sterile 4-cup glass jar. Use a wooden spoon to press the lemons to fit. Add lemon juice and any remaining salt that might be left in the bowl. Seal jar tightly and shake to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 3 days, shaking jar each day. Transfer to the refrigerator for 3 weeks or until rinds are soft. Rinse before using.
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Summer Squash Ribbons with Lemon & Mint
This adaptation from a beloved Alice Waters recipe is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Ingredients:
2-3 summer squash, such as Crookneck or Patty Pan
¼ bunch basil
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Slice the summer squash into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandolin makes this easier, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.)
2. Stack the basil leaves, and cut them thinly crosswise.
3. Layer the squash slices into a shallow dish. Sprinkle each layer with salt, pepper, basil, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and serve.
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Potato Salad with Crème Fraîche & Mint
This unique recipe from Jamie Oliver ingeniously combines fresh mint, crème fraîche and Anaheim chile.
Ingredients:
2 pounds baby red potatoes, scrubbed
1 cup crème fraîche
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
½ cup fresh mint, chopped
1 Anaheim chile, seeded and finely chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Gently boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, then drain. Allow to cool slightly, then slice all potatoes in half.
2. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and dress with crème fraîche, lemon juice and zest, sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Stir in half of the fresh mint and sliced pepper in with the salad, then use the remaining mint and pepper to garnish the finished dish.
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Gemelli Pasta with Shelled Peas, Lemon & Mint
Adapted from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, this light and lovely pasta recipe sings of spring.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh gemelli pasta
2 cups fresh shelled peas (from about 1 lb. in the pod)
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Zest of 1 lemon
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta, and cook according to package instructions. Add peas to cook during the last 30 seconds of pasta cooking time. Reserve ½ cup cooking water, set aside. Drain the pasta and the peas together.
2. Dry out the pasta pot, and pour in the heavy cream. Bring the cream to a simmer, and cook until slightly reduced, about 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the butter, and stir it until it has melted. Generously season the sauce with black pepper, add a pinch of salt as well as the lemon zest. Add ¾ cup Parmesan, and stir it until the sauce is smooth; then toss in the drained pasta & peas.
3. Cook the pasta in the sauce for 2 minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened. Add the reserved pasta water by the spoonful if needed to loosen up the sauce. Garnish with remaining Parmesan, chopped parsley and mint and serve immediately.
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Cherry Tomato, Cucumber & Mint Salad
This low-maintenance salad is light and bright—perfect for a picnic!
Ingredients:
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup crème fraîche
¼ cup minced shallots
¼ cup finely chopped mint
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Freshly ground pepper
Method:
1. In a colander set over a bowl, toss the cucumbers with the salt and let stand for 1 hour. Rinse the cucumbers and pat dry.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the crème fraîche with the shallots, mint, lemon juice and zest and a generous pinch of pepper. Add the cucumbers and tomatoes, toss to coat and refrigerate for a few hours. Stir the salad just before serving.
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Cherry Tomato Salad with Chives and Lemon
This incredibly-fresh salad should be made right ahead of serving.
Ingredients:
2 pints cherry tomatoes
2 lemons
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. With a knife, cut the peel and white pith from lemons; discard. Cut each lemon crosswise into thin slices; remove seeds if necessary.
2. In medium bowl, toss lemon slices, tomatoes, and remaining ingredients, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
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