Growing and Using Fresh Mint

Are you looking for great recipes with fresh mint? Here, Gertens offers some tried and true suggestions for growing and using fresh mint.

How to Grow:
Plant in a sunny location - 6 hours minimum of sun. Don't fertilize, keep soil moist. Mint likes water! Stand back. It's going to grow like crazy.

How to Use:
Pinch the newest leaves/stems for the freshest flavor. One-third of the plant must remain for vigor. Harvest in the morning.

How to Enjoy:

Eat: Nigella's Lamb:
Roast lamb or beef shoulder until falling apart. (5 ½ lbs for 5 hours at 325º). Let rest for 10 minutes. Shred with 2 forks. Salt to taste. Finely chop one handful of mint leaves, add to shreaded meat. Halve 1 Pomegranate. Whack 1st half with a wooden spoon to dislodge seeds. Juice the other half (just squeeze over meat). Toss together and serve.

Drink: Erik's Mojito:
Sprinkle one tbsp sugar over 3 mint sprigs in the bottom of a glass. Bruise - add ice. Add 4 oz. of vodka, 2 oz grapefruit juice and a splash of tonic, stir. Garnish with lime and mint.