Mint And Celery Leaf Vinegar Food

PINEAPPLE VINEGAR

Steps:

• Place the pineapple in a sterile glass jar or bottle. Add sugar to taste, if the fruit is not sweet enough. Pour the vinegar over the fruit.
• Cover and store in a cool, dark place for 6 to 14 days, checking for strength of flavor that you like.
• Strain through cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter and refrigerate.

MINT SAUCE FOR LAMB

Steps:

• Place mint leaves in a small bowl. Stir in water, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper until sugar is dissolved. Cover and let steep for 20 minutes, then serve immediately with lamb.

SUMMER VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups herbs, 1/4 cup scallions, ginger, and garlic in a mini-processor. Pulse to chop ingredients. Add 4 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and 1/4 cup water and process until a coarse purée forms. Transfer herb sauce to a bowl and stir in sesame seeds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Herb sauce can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until oil just begins to smoke. Add remaining 1/4 cup scallions and wheat berries. Stir-fry until wheat berries are golden brown and slightly crunchy, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide wheat berries among bowls.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat and add remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add vegetables, season with salt and pepper, and stir-fry until brightly colored and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup herbs and toss to combine. Divide vegetables over wheat berries. Drizzle with herb sauce.

CANTALOUPE AND CELERY SALAD WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, shallot, Champagne vinegar, and lemon peel in small bowl. Let stand 30 minutes. Add 1/4 cup olive oil, chopped fresh mint, and tamari soy sauce to vinaigrette. Whisk vinaigrette to blend flavors. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.
• Arrange melon slices on large platter. Top melon with sliced celery, sliced green onions, and sliced radishes. Drizzle vinaigrette over and sprinkle with sliced mint. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle salad lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and serve.
• Available in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.

SUMMER FRUIT SHRUB

Steps:

• Mix fruit and sugar in a glass or other nonplastic bowl, breaking apart or mashing the fruit to bring out its juices. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Stir the mixture well, add vinegar and chill. The shrub can be strained and used at this point, but it will take on more of the characteristics of the fruit if it sits for a few days. When ready to use, stir well to make sure sugar is dissolved, then strain using a fine sieve, pressing the solids to get all of the juice.
• Pour the mixture into a clean Mason jar or funnel into a glass bottle with a stopper or cork.
• To prepare a drink, add 1 part shrub to 2 or 3 parts seltzer or ginger beer and serve over ice.