I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be o.k.,
do you think, or is that too watery ?

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves) and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from the
stalks? Grateful for any advice on the best way to do it. Thanks.

"john hamilton" wrote in message
...
I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be
o.k., do you think, or is that too watery ?

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves) and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from
the stalks? Grateful for any advice on the best way to do it. Thanks.

I don't think you need any water but you should add some sugar.

Don't worry about the plants recovering. On the contrary you would find it
difficult to harm a mint plant which is the toughest plant I know and
practically a weed!

R.

On the contrary you would find it
difficult to harm a mint plant which is the toughest plant I know and
practically a weed!

I have been known to kill them in the past - but it takes real skill and
determination;-)

"Jill Bell" wrote in message
...
On the contrary you would find it
difficult to harm a mint plant which is the toughest plant I know and
practically a weed!

I have been known to kill them in the past - but it takes real skill and
determination;-)

I manage to do it.
Afraid of putting a mint plant into the ground to let it run away, I try to
grow it in pots. It dies every time (and yes, I do water it..)
Tina

Jill Bell wrote:
I have been known to kill them in the past - but it takes real skill and
determination;-)

Can you come and visit my mint forest, please?

On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:11:48 +0100, "Ragnar"
wrote:


"john hamilton" wrote in message
...
I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be
o.k., do you think, or is that too watery ?

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves) and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from
the stalks? Grateful for any advice on the best way to do it. Thanks.

I don't think you need any water but you should add some sugar.

R.

My Mum always used to pour a small amount of boiling water onto the
chopped mint and sugar, before adding the vinegar. I understood it
was to "green up" the mint.
I usually buy mint jelly these days!


Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:11:48 +0100, "Ragnar"
wrote:


"john hamilton" wrote in message
...
I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so
i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a
mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be
o.k., do you think, or is that too watery ?

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves)
and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from
the stalks? Grateful for any advice on the best way to do it. Thanks.

I don't think you need any water but you should add some sugar.

R.

My Mum always used to pour a small amount of boiling water onto the
chopped mint and sugar, before adding the vinegar. I understood it
was to "green up" the mint.
I usually buy mint jelly these days!


Pam in Bristol

I'm sure your mum was right.

Bill

"Bill Grey" wrote in message
...

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:11:48 +0100, "Ragnar"
wrote:


"john hamilton" wrote in message
...
I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so
i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a
mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be
o.k., do you think, or is that too watery ?

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I
could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves)
and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from
the stalks? Grateful for any advice on the best way to do it. Thanks.

I don't think you need any water but you should add some sugar.
R.

My Mum always used to pour a small amount of boiling water onto the
chopped mint and sugar, before adding the vinegar. I understood it
was to "green up" the mint.
I usually buy mint jelly these days!
Pam in Bristol

I'm wondering if the putting of boiling water on the mint in some way
'sterilized' it and enabled it to last longer. I would really like to make
a mint sauce that would keep for quite a while.

The jars of mint sauce I buy from waitrose keeps a long time in the fridge,
but it has something called a *stabiliser* in it..I dont know what that
might be exactly....salt?

On Thu, 1 Jul 2010 16:52:39 +0100, "john hamilton"
wrote:



I'm wondering if the putting of boiling water on the mint in some way
'sterilized' it and enabled it to last longer. I would really like to make
a mint sauce that would keep for quite a while.

The jars of mint sauce I buy from waitrose keeps a long time in the fridge,
but it has something called a *stabiliser* in it..I dont know what that
might be exactly....salt?


You could try making mint chutney. Or mint jam.
I made some tomato jam last year. It's interesting.
--
http://www.bra-and-pants.com
http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk

On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 john hamilton wrote:

I've got some mint growing in pots. The leaves seem quite big now, so i'm
guessing now is a good time to cut them off?

My intention is to chop the leaves and put them in vinegar to make a mint
sauce. I'm guessing that malt vinegar diluted with 50% water should be o.k.,
do you think, or is that too watery ?

My method of making mint sauce:

Gather enough leaves and the growing tips for your immediate purpose.
Chop the leaves as finely as you can. Sprinkle some sugar (I use a small
teaspoonful) to help extract the juice. Leave for half an hour or so and
then add the vinegar. Don't dilute it!

Mint sauce won't keep well so make only enough for your immediate
purpose.

Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves) and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from the
stalks?

If you've pinched the tops out then there will be new growth from the
nodes where leaves were/are growing. otherwise if you cut down the
stalks it will grow again from the base.

David

--
David Rance writing from Caversham, Reading, UK
http://rance.org.uk

"David Rance" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 john hamilton wrote:

My method of making mint sauce:

Gather enough leaves and the growing tips for your immediate purpose. Chop
the leaves as finely as you can. Sprinkle some sugar (I use a small
teaspoonful) to help extract the juice. Leave for half an hour or so and
then add the vinegar. Don't dilute it!

Mint sauce won't keep well so make only enough for your immediate purpose.

I've never tried this, but I've heard it told to make up a strong batch of
mint sauce then put it into an ice-cube tray, then freeze. When needed,
take out a cube or two and add either vinegar or boiling water to suit. I'm
not sure of the last bit but you can see the thinking behind the method.

Bill

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2010-06-22 21:49:01 +0100, "Bill Grey" said:


"David Rance" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 john hamilton wrote:

My method of making mint sauce:

Gather enough leaves and the growing tips for your immediate purpose.
Chop
the leaves as finely as you can. Sprinkle some sugar (I use a small
teaspoonful) to help extract the juice. Leave for half an hour or so and
then add the vinegar. Don't dilute it!

Mint sauce won't keep well so make only enough for your immediate
purpose.

I've never tried this, but I've heard it told to make up a strong batch
of
mint sauce then put it into an ice-cube tray, then freeze. When needed,
take out a cube or two and add either vinegar or boiling water to suit.
I'm
not sure of the last bit but you can see the thinking behind the method.

Bill

You may not thank me for this but may I recommend rosemary jelly with
lamb? It's much more subtle as to flavour.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
Hedychiums on sale


I tend to agree, but mint sauce/is/ nice.

Bill

The message
from Sacha contains these words:

You may not thank me for this but may I recommend rosemary jelly with
lamb? It's much more subtle as to flavour.

If you can get fresh Welsh lamb of the hill farms, as we can, you do not
need any compliment to improve/disguise the flavour!

Roger T

PS Perhaps I should define "fresh" as slaughtered then hung properly in
the abatoir for 2 or 3 days before butchering and being delivered.

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2010-06-23 09:30:52 +0100, anon-y-mouse said:

The message
from Sacha contains these words:

You may not thank me for this but may I recommend rosemary jelly with
lamb? It's much more subtle as to flavour.

If you can get fresh Welsh lamb of the hill farms, as we can, you do not
need any compliment to improve/disguise the flavour!

Roger T

PS Perhaps I should define "fresh" as slaughtered then hung properly in
the abatoir for 2 or 3 days before butchering and being delivered.

I'll be sure to tell our farmer/butcher that about his Dartmoor/South Hams
sheep. ;-) Actually, he's related to several farmers and friends with a
lot more, so the meat is wonderful. But I have to say that the best (and
most eye-wateringly expensive) I've ever had was at Mont St Michel where
they're grazed over the salt marshes. The French don't have too high an
opinion of British food anyway but they think mint sauce is total proof of
our culinary barbarism!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
Hedychiums on sale


It would be a bit difficult for Welsh hill farmers to graze their sheep on
salt marches, they use the term /Wesh/l amb to inflate the price and
pretend the meat tastes better.

I think I'll get my coat :-)

Bill

On 19/06/2010 11:51, john hamilton wrote:


Also I'm wondering if its ok to cut all the stalks down or not? I could
just pull the leaves off the stalks (since i'm only using the leaves) and
leave the stalks and then plants might recover some nutrition back from the
stalks?

I would cut the stems right back, then you'll get new growth and a whole
crop of fresh new leaves for another harvest later. Can't help with the
culinary aspects though:-)