Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Healing Herb of the Day

MINT!

Every now and then I will feature an herb of the day and give some information on it's healing properties and even ways to cook with it! Today's featured herb is Mint. Some species of mint are used to treat Alzheimer's disease and to flavor candies, gum, toothpaste, and liqueurs and even cooking extracts. They are also used as digestive aids. Peppermint oil is antiallergenic and is used in aromatherapy to stimulate brain activity or just to relax!

Name derives from the nymph Menthe, who was turned into a plant by the goddess Perserpina when she found out that Pluto was in love with her. Greeks used mint to clean their banqueting tables and added it to their baths to stimulate their bodies. Romans used it in sauces, as an aid to digestion and as a mouth freshener.

Mint is also rich in Vitamins A and C which is an important antioxidant and may help decrease certain cancers.

And to finish today's lesson on mint, I thought I'd let you in on a recipe! Okay, so this doesn't call for fresh mint but since the holidays are coming up I thought I'd use a fun cookie recipe that uses mint chocolate.

CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE MINT CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups mint chocolate chips,
2 Hershey's chocolate bars chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl stir together flour, salt, and baking soda. In another large bowl stir together butter, both sugars, eggs, vanilla and cocoa. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture and mix until combined. Stir mint chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars and walnuts, if using, and stir to distribute evenly.

For cookies: Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets and bake about 10 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.

Enjoy that minty goodness!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a one great sounding recipe; my kids love chocolate and mint together. We often make mint choc chip ice cream in the summer. Thanks for the mint lesson too!

Zaroga said...

That is so interesting. I'm probably the only person in the world that doesn't like chocolate and mint together :-)

LOL on your comment at my blog. I can't imagine bread being that hard ;-)

vanillasugarblog said...

Hello! Thanks for your comments!
I am a huge lover of mint and chocolate, so must try these cookies.

Megan Kelley Hall said...

Thanks for entering the Mabel's House contest to win my debut suspense novel, SISTERS OF MISERY! Even if you don't win, I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy it!

xoxo
Megan Kelley Hall

P.S. Happy Halloween!!

Janet said...

Ooooh I bet these are sso yummy - Paris loves thin mint cookies:)

Unknown said...

What a nice setting, your template, the music and all of this lovely eye candy. Thank you for tip about peppermint tea, what a great remedy. The cookies look delicious too. Karen

cathleen said...

Your minty cookies sound really delicious. I love all your kitty photos. I have a couple of kitties too. I adore kitties!!!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

OH! They sound so good! I love mint chocolate. I will definately try this recipe. I have spearmint growing in my kitchen garden. I wanted peppermint, but couldn't find it when planting.

Michelle said...

Hi Megan!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I am excited about your new book and if I don't win I still still go out and buy it and read it. My girlfriend and I have started a book ourselves. I won't give anything away but it should be fun. I actually wrote a romance novel and half of a suspense novel so many years ago but never did anything with it. I did get the romance novel a copyright in the U.S. copyright office. Alas, it's just sitting there waiting for a rewrite. :( I will get inspired someday...well I sort of already have!

Michelle :)

Anonymous said...

Okay, I think I'm getting the hang of this. Me and Kerry love looking at your kitties. Thanks for introducing me to my new hobby!! Love ya, Kate

Anonymous said...

And YES you can post my blog on your blog. Kate

soulchocolate@hotmail.com said...

Hi Michelle! Have u ever tried making mint truffles? It's plenty of fun and tastes so good at the end of the day too. I love mint in my chocolate!

ALW said...

Thanks for checking in on my blog. I've been neglecting it...I need to update soon. I've been great, just a busy week getting ready for Halloween.
I love learning about herbs! Lavender is my personal favorite. I actually just went to Bath and Body Works and checked out that new warm milk and honey scent you suggested. It's yummy! But I ended up buying some of the Lavender Chamomile sheet spray. I can't resist Lavender scents.
Hope you have a Happy Halloween and a great weekend! Oh and I think I'm going to try those pumpkin pancakes you wrote about this weekend. I'll let you know how they turn out!