Yogurt With Fresh Mint Food

YOGURT WITH CUCUMBER AND MINT

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast cumin seeds until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool completely, then grind in a spice grinder.
• Whisk yogurt until smooth. Stir in cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining ingredients; season with black pepper. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve, or up to 2 days.

MINT YOGURT

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until almost ready to serve; bring to room temperature before serving.

YOGURT MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and stir well to combine. Sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

FRESH MINT, LEMON & YOGHURT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the sugar and 2 cups (500ml) of cold water in a saucepan over a medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Stop stirring, then increase the heat to medium-high and bring the syrup to the boil.
• Return the heat to medium and simmer for 12 minutes, occasionally using a brush dipped in cold water to brush down the sides of the pan and to remove any sugar crystals (they are otherwise likely to make the syrup cloudy).
• Remove from the heat and leave to cool, then pour the mixture into a container and chill.
• Place the chilled syrup in a blender with mint and lemon juice. Blend at a high speed until the mint is very finely chopped.
• Place the yoghurt in a large bowl and whisk well until it is smooth, then fold in the whipped cream. Add the syrup and whisk to combine.
• If you have an ice cream maker, churn the mixture in it. Otherwise, pour it into a large, stainless-steel bowl and freeze for about 3 hours or until frozen 5cm (2 inches) from the edge.
• Remove the bowl from the freezer and use a whisk or hand-held beaters to give the ice cream a really good whisk, breaking up ice crystals and smoothing it out.
• Repeat these freezing and whisking steps once more. (For an even smoother texture, repeat these steps a few more times).
• Pack the ice cream into a container, cover it tightly and freeze it at least overnight or until it is firm.
• Serve the ice cream with extra mint.

CHILLED ZUCCHINI-YOGURT SOUP WITH FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Place the water in the bottom of a saucepan fitted with a steamer and bring to a boil. Place the zucchini in the steamer, set over the boiling water, cover and steam 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Do not drain the steaming water.
• Place half the zucchini in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, add 3/4 teaspoons salt, and puree until smooth. Add half the steaming water and pulse until smooth. Scrape into a bowl, and repeat with the remaining zucchini and steaming water, and another 3/4 teaspoon salt. Scrape into the bowl with the first batch. Whisk in the yogurt, the chopped mint, pepper, lemon juice, and optional garlic. Taste and adjust salt. Chill, either in the refrigerator or in an ice bath.
• Strain the cold soup through a medium strainer into a bowl. Use a rubber spatula to press the soup against the strainer and to scrape the soup off the outside of the strainer, to extract maximum flavor and to get as much soup through as you can.
• Toss the thinly sliced zucchini garnish with a generous pinch of salt and place in a strainer set over a bowl, or in the sink. Let sit for 15 minutes. The zucchini will soften. Rinse and pat dry. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with several slices of zucchini and a sprinkle of slivered mint leaves.