Minted Butter Food

BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Butter a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan, and place in the refrigerator.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and butter. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. When the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 3 minutes to allow the steam to wash the crystals that form on the insides of the pan. Uncover, and heat the mixture to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.
• Remove from the heat, and stir in the peppermint oil and food coloring. Be sure to keep your face away from the steam as the odor is very strong. Pour into the chilled pan. Let stand undisturbed for several minutes.
• Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the edges of the hot candy into the center to soften. Continue folding until the candy is cool enough to pick up with your hands. Butter your fingers, and pack the candy into a ball. Begin stretching and pulling. Continue stretching and pulling until the the candy becomes porous and satiny, about 5 minutes.
• Pull the candy into a 1/2 inch thick rope, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces using greased scissors. Let the candy cool completely, then store in an airtight tin for at least 24 hours before serving.

MINTED BUTTER

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter. Beat in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate.

HOMEMADE BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Taste the candy and add more mint extract if desired; different brands have different strengths, and it's better to start with less flavoring and add more if necessary.

MINT BUTTER RECIPE

Steps:

• Cream the ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Transfer it to the bowl or container you will be storing the butter in.
• Cover the herb butter and store in the refrigerator for 3 hours before use. The mint butter will keep for several days. If you don't have fresh mint on hand, dried mint can be used as a substitute. Use the same amount and taste it, adding more if you would like a stronger flavor.

BUTTER CREAM MINTS

Steps:

• Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until it is soft and fluffy. Add the sugar and the mint extract and beat at low speed until the mixture is thick, creamy, and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Cut 2 large sheets of plastic wrap and place on your work surface. Divide the mixture into 2 equal portions and place each on the plastic sheets. Roll the mixture into the plastic wrap, forming it into logs about 1/2-inch in diameter. Wrap the plastic wrap securely around the logs and chill for 4 hours.
• Pinch off about a rounded teaspoon of the butter cream and shape into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on parchment or waxed paper and flatten with the tines of a fork. Refrigerate in layers of parchment paper in an airtight container until ready to serve. Mints will keep for up to 1 week.

BUTTER MINT PEAS

Steps:

• Add the butter to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the shallots and saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the peas and cook until they are just warmed through, about 4 minutes. Add the mint and cream and stir together. Serve.

SMASHED PEAS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Cook peas with water and 1/2 teaspoons salt in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through and tender, about 8 minutes.
• While peas cook, stir together butter, mint, parsley, pepper and remaining 3/4 teaspoons salt until combined well.
• Pulse peas (with cooking water) in 2 batches in a food processor until coarsely pureed, transferring to a large bowl. Stir in herb butter until melted.

NEW POTATOES WITH GARLIC, MINT AND BUTTER

Steps:

• Bring the potatoes to the boil in enough lightly salted water to cover.
• Turn the heat to a very low simmer and cook until fork tender. This could take 30 minutes.
• Drain and add the butter, mint, garlic and salt and pepper to the pot. With the lid on, toss gently to cover the potatoes with the seasoned butter.
• Use parsley if you don't have or like mint, or use a mix of both if you wish.

MINT-CHIVE BUTTER

Steps:

• Stir butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Mix in mint, chives, lemon zest, and salt.

BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Combine butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until sugar is moistened, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until well combined. Return mixer to low speed, add remaining 2 cups sugar, and mix until well combined, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, 6 minutes more. Add peppermint extract, milk, and salt; beat until smooth.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with confectioners' sugar and turn out "dough" onto it. Divide into 5 pieces; tint as desired with food coloring, leaving one piece white. (Keep covered with plastic wrap while working to prevent drying.)
• Roll "dough" into 1/2-inch-thick ropes, then cut into pieces slightly over 1/2 inch long with a paring knife or bench scraper. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Let dry, uncovered, at least 12 hours. Mints can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

SMASHED PEAS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Cook peas with water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through and tender, about 8 minutes.
• While peas cook, stir together butter, mint, parsley, pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt until combined well.
• Pulse peas (with cooking water) in 2 batches in a food processor until coarsely puréed, transferring to a large bowl. Stir in herb butter until melted.

MINTED CARROTS

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the carrots, recover, and steam until just tender, 2 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. Drain carrots.
• Heat the butter in a skillet over low heat. Stir in the carrots, brown sugar, honey, and mint. Continue to cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.