Tag Archives: mint

Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

Drinks, , , , , , ,

Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

This is a very refreshing drink, that can either be drink hot or over ice as a refreshing iced tea on a hot day. It is very simple to make, but it is best if you have a tea pot with a strainer section in it so that the mint leaves are not poured out with the tea.

Ingredients

  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 2 cm fresh ginger
  • 2 stalks of mint

Directions

  1. Bruise the lemongrass stalk either by laying a knife over the base of the stalk and hitting it with the palm of your hand until it breaks open, or hitting it with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  2. Slice the ginger into thin slices so that more of the ginger will be exposed to the water.
  3. Place the ginger and lemongrass in a teapot (preferably one with a strainer built in). Pour over boiling water.
  4. Leave to stand for around 10 minutes
  5. Add the stalks of mint, and let it stand for another 5 minutes.
  6. Either drink hot, or pour over ice for an iced tea.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Bic Runga – Anthology

 

Rucola Mint Pesto

Condiments and Dips, , , , , , , , ,

Rucola and Mint pesto

This is a very versatile pesto sauce that can be used as a dip for sweet potatoes, as a topping on fish or chicken, or even to stuff chicken wrapped in prosciutto. We’d love to hear how you have used what has become one of our favorites. 

Ingredients

  • Large handful of rucola lettuce leaves
  • 10-15 mint leaves
  • 1 Tbsp tahini
  • juice of half a large lime
  • 1 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Few grinds of freshly ground black pepper
  • 50ml olive oil

Directions

  1. Put all of the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.
  2. It should be a bit of a thick sauce, so be careful with the amount of olive oil that you add. If it is too thick then you can add a little more olive oil.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Sola Rosa – Get it together

Cucumber cooler

Drinks, , , , ,

Cucumber cooler

This is a super simple drink, that needs very little by way of equipment to make it – just a blender and a sieve. Perfect for a hot summers day.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cucumber (skin and all)
  • 1/4 lemon (skin and all)
  • 15 mint leaves
  • 2 glasses pure water

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a blender. Do not worry about peeling the lemon or the cucumber, just put them in skin and all.
  2. Blend on a high speed for around 2 minutes until you have a bright green drink.
  3. Strain the juice through a sieve into a serving jug.
  4. Serve over ice.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Sola Rosa – Get it together
 

 

Lemon and Mint Juice

Drinks, , , , , , , ,

Lemon and mint juice

This is a very refreshing drink that is perfect for a hot summer day. It is inspired by a drink that we had in Dubai, but uses honey as a sweetener instead of sugar. Makes 2 glasses.

Ingredients

  • 15 mint leaves
  • Half a lemon – unpeeled, cut into quarters
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 Tbsp boiling water
  • 2 glasses water

Directions

  1. Add the honey to the boiling water and let it dissolve.
  2. Put the mint leaves, water, lemon and honey into a blender.
  3. Blend for 1-2 minutes until you can see a green juice in the blender, and the lemon is finely blended
  4. Strain the juice to remove the lemon and mint remnants
  5. Serve over ice.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Regan – Wiser

 

 

Basil mint pesto

Condiments and Dips, , , , , , ,

mint and basil pesto

This is a great pesto to have in your repertoire to jazz up a meal. It is very easy, but transforms a simple lamb chops or lamb tenderloin into a meal.

Ingredients

  • Large handful of mint
  • Large handful of basil
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • Handful of toasted pine nuts
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil

Directions

  1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Done!

Nice with Lamb tenderloins and served with Broccoli and fried garlic

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – Give the people what they want

Garam Masala Burgers with Basil Pesto

Dinner, , , , , , ,

Garam Masala beef burgers

This recipe is truly East meets West. Indian Garam Masala flavoured meat, with a pesto sauce that is inspired by the flavours of Italy. It is a delicious combination that really works, and which our son is a big fan of, especially when there are sweet potato chips from our Air Fryer to dip in the pesto sauce. 

Ingredients

For the pesto

  • Large handful of basil
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • Handful of toasted pine nuts
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil

For the burgers

  • 1 red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 cm fresh ginger, chopped or grated
  • 2 mushrooms, finely chopped
  • Handful of fresh coriander
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 heaped tsp ground cumin
  • 1 heaped tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp Himalayan rock salt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • Pepper

Directions

  1. First make the pesto by putting all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
  2. To make the burgers, put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix with your hands until everything is combined properly.
  3. Wet your hands and make a burger about the size of a tennis ball. Wet your hands before every burger. You should be able to make around 6 burgers.
  4. Put all the burgers on a plate and set in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
  5. Heat a little coconut oil in a frying pan and fry the burgers for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until done to your liking.
  6. Serve with the pesto, avocado slices and sweet potato chips.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Hindi Zahra – Handmade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lamb Tenderloins with Basil Mint Sauce

Dinner, , , , ,

Lamb tenderloins and mint sauce

The basil mint sauce has a pesto like consistency and is delicious on lamb, or with sweet potato chips. It avoids the Parmesan cheese of traditional pesto, but is still very tasty.

Ingredients

  • 500 gr lamb tenderloin
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • Handful of fresh mint leaves
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves
  • Juice of half a lime
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • Olive oil

Directions

  1. To make the sauce, put the mint, basil, lime, garlic, olive oil in a blender.
  2. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and set aside.
  3. Season the lamb with salt and pepper.
  4. Fry the tenderloins in a large frying pan to your liking.
  5. Let the meat rest for a couple of minutes before serving with the basil and mint sauce.

Makes an easy diner with sweet potato chips and a quick salad.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: French for Rabbits – Spirits