Whole Grain Rotini With Lamb Ragout

Whole grain pasta is rustic enough to stand up well to a thick lamb-andtomato sauce. Topping it with creamy ricotta and fresh mint adds a touch of elegance. Serve with cracked black pepper and a simple green salad.

Blueberry Lemonade

Amp up your lemonade game this summer with the addition of sweet, colourful blueberries. Turn the drink into a party-worthy cocktail by adding a splash of gin or vodka and a sprinkling of chopped fresh mint.

Oregano Chicken with Tomato Salsa

A juicy tomato salsa accented with mint dresses up chicken in a flavourful fashion. Smashing garlic with the side of a knife instead of mincing it allows it to flavour the marinade without the little bits burning on the grill.

Bridal Fruit Punch

Offer an alternative to an alcoholic drink with this pink punch. Chill ingredients well, but mix just before serving. Garnish the punch bowl with ice cubes and sprigs of fresh mint; for a fancier touch, use a ring mould to make a fruited ice ring.

Lemon Cheesecake with Shortbread Crust and Lemon Sauce

Make this large sweet-tart cheesecake the day before you plan to serve it to give it enough time to chill. Garnish with long strands of lemon rind, fresh raspberries, mint leaves and edible gold flakes for an over-the-top presentation.

Chicken with Cranberries

Chicken is a good partner for tart fruits, such as cranberries, especially in a well-spiced sauce. Serve with rice or bread and 1/2 cup (125 mL) plain yogurt mixed with 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh mint (or 1 tbsp/15 mL dried) to spoon over the chicken.

Rhubarb Syrup

This rosy syrup is a great way to enjoy fresh rhubarb in the spring, but it's also delish when made with frozen rhubarb year-round. Use the syrup as the base for a Rhubarb Mint Fizz  or mix it with club soda or your favourite sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail.

DIY Hot Chocolate Mix

This hot chocolate kit makes a cosy, heart-warming wintertime gift. Add a label with instructions to dissolve 3 tbsp of mix in 1 cup of steaming hot milk and to garnish with marshmallows. If you throw in a few peppermint candy sticks, they can serve as stir sticks to turn the drink into mint hot chocolate.

Slow Cooker Rare Beef Pho

The essence of this Vietnamese pho lies in the long-cooking, rich beef broth which forms the base of the soup - the slow cooker is the ultimate tool for the task. Fresh, vibrant garnishes, like bean sprouts, assorted fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro and basil, thinly sliced onion, chilies and lime wedges, make each and every bowl of soup unique. Serve them at the table in separate bowls so each person can create the pho of their dreams.

Peppermint Mocha