Tuesday, August 13, 2013

SUE ANN'S MINT AND BATH SALTS !!!!

 Mint and Bath Salts!

Got your attention ?! With that title!! I was thinking about the reader that had a lot of mint, so I looked to see what I have done with it in the past, besides jelly...and drying the leaves for tea. Here are two ideas!!

                                Melon, Mint, and Tomato Salad

1 cantaloupe
1 large tomato cut into wedges
1 small cucumber peeled and grated
1 c finely chopped mint ( any of the mint family)
1 c plain yogurt
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the melon into cubes, or use a melon ball cutter and make balls.
Combine the melon, tomato, and cucumber in a bowl.
Stir mint into the yogurt, pour over the salad, salt and pepper to taste, mix gently.
serves 4

                                 Sweet Herb Sorbet

1/2 c super fine sugar ( I put sugar in a blender and grind it briefly)
1 c water
1/4 c mint leaves ( any of the mint family)
juice of one lemon ( usually 3 T )-can use lemon juice
1 egg white

Place sugar in pan and add water,bring to a boil, stirring , until the dissolved. Chop the mint leaves and add to the pan. cover and remove from the heat, let steep  30 mins. Test for flavor, if too weak, bring to a boil again and let steep another 15 mins.
Strain the liquid- thru a fine mesh sieve, add the lemon juice. Transfer to a freezer container and let freeze 2- 3 hours- not completely frozen. Whisk egg white until stiff, fold into sorbet, and re-freeze. Ready in 4 hours.
Be sure to put the sorbet, in smaller serving containers, the second time you freeze it. Easier to serve.

                                 Mint Syrup

Herb syrups are a great way to preserve the Summer, in the Winter! Use diluted for drinks, or regular strength to use over ice cream, add to tea, or to sorbets!!

  4 C mint leaves ( any of the mint family)
White sugar
Optional green food coloring ( mint does not always distill as a "green" liquid)

Place mint leaves in pan with JUST enough water to cover.Bring to a boil over med. heat, SIMMER for 30 mins.
Strain thru a jelly bag for one hour- do not squeeze the bag!
for each cup of liquid, add 1 c of sugar. Place in pan and simmer for 15 mins.
Freeze in small containers....for serving later in winter.

After a hard day at the mint factory, soak in a tub with your very own home made bath salts!!

          1/2 c table salt- I use a coarse salt
           1 T baking soda
           1 T Borax
           15 drops of any scent essential oil, or your favorite toilet water.
Mix dry ingredients in a quart glass jar. Add scent. Mix well. Use one half per bath, yields two baths.
 
After your bath, dust yourself with a simple powder, to keep you fresh and comfy!!

              Home Made Body Powder

1/2 c baking soda
 1/2 c corn starch
1 c arrowroot powder ( you can find this at the grocery)

Sift all dry ingredients together....place in a container and add a powder puff! This is great for hot days when all you want is to feel cool, dry, and not really needing a scent!




3 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Everyone,

Hope every one enjoys Sue Ann's mint and bath salts.

It is raining this morning. Of course it is seniors day at our fair. Rain's on that day most every year.
Hope it stops.

Marilyn

Christine T said...

Thanks for the ideas!

Countryside Reflections said...

Thank you for these ideas Sue Ann. What part of the grocery store can I find arrowroot? I wouldn't know where to begin looking.

Doreen