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!