Best Mint Vinaigrette Recipes

LEMON-MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk lemon juice, mustard, sugar and garlic in a small bowl until blended.
• Drizzle in oil, whisking until blended.
• Stir in mint, salt and pepper.
• Note: Can be kept in refridgerator for up to 2 days.

WATERMELON AND CANTALOUPE SALAD WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a blender, combine mint, lemon juice, simple syrup, and amaretto. Blend until smooth.
• In a large bowl, combine the watermelon and the cantaloupe. Add the vinaigrette and toss. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
• In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and cool the syrup. Any extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

BEETS WITH CREAMY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE AND MINT

Steps:

• Wrap the garlic cloves together in a piece of parchment paper; wrap each beet separately in parchment. Place the garlic and beets in a microwave-safe dish and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the garlic and set aside, still wrapped. Continue to cook the beets in intervals of 2 minutes, until they can be easily pierced with a knife, 8 to 10 minutes. Let sit wrapped in parchment to complete the cooking process and until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the yogurt, broth, vinegar, oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Peel the garlic cloves, mash completely and whisk into the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. (Alternatively, make the vinaigrette with the microwave-roasted garlic up to a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to blend. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Peel the beets using a paring knife and cut into wedges or slices. Arrange on a platter, drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with the mint and pistachios. Serve immediately, while still warm.

RED AND BLACK PEPPER CRUSTED FILET MIGNON WITH HONEY-MUSTARD, HORSERADISH, MINT SAUCE AND FRISEE SALAD WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE AND POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Add the bread cubes and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Heat a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook until soft. Add the vinegar and cook for 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the frisee, croutons, and bacon in a bowl add the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Divide the salad onto 4 plates and top with a poached egg.
• Season filet with salt on both sides. Sprinkle 1 side of each filet with 1/2 teaspoon of the ancho chile powder and 1/2 teaspoon of the coarsely ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over high heat until almost smoking. Place the filet, pepper-side down in the pan and saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until a crust forms. Turn the filet over, reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until desired doneness, 2 to 3 minutes for medium-rare. Let rest 2 to 3 minutes before serving, spoon 1 tablespoon of the sauce over each steak.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt to taste.

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH PEPPERS, MINT AND CAPER-FETA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Toss eggplant with 1/3 cup vinaigrette, reserving the rest. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden around edges, about 30 minutes. Let eggplant cool somewhat. (It can be warm but not hot enough to melt feta or wilt mint.)
• Whisk feta, garlic and capers into reserved vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mint leaves. Toss with vinaigrette, and serve immediately or within several hours. (It holds up all day.)

GRAPEFRUIT & FENNEL SALAD WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of the grapefruit; stand grapefruit upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from grapefruit. Cut along the membrane of each segment to remove fruit. Arrange fennel, grapefruit and onion on a serving platter., Place mint, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a small food processor; cover and process until mint is finely chopped. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Drizzle over salad.

WATERMELON AND CANTALOUPE SALAD WITH MINT AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Scoop 2 cups each from the watermelon and the cantaloupe using a melon baller. Carve the remainder of the watermelon out and reserve shell.
• Add to a blender the chopped mint, chopped basil, lemon juice, simple syrup and amaretto. Blend until smooth.
• Add the watermelon and cantaloupe balls to the carved out watermelon half.
• Add the vinaigrette to the balls and toss to combine.
• Garnish with the mint and basil sprigs and taste.

AVOCADO AND GRAPEFRUIT SALAD WITH MINT-DILL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place 1 grapefruit segment, mint leaves, dill, vinegar, and oil into a mini electric blender. Pulse a few times to create a vinaigrette.
• Place remaining grapefruit sections into a large bowl. Add avocado and endive. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat. Let rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Top with jalapeno, black pepper, and hibiscus salt before serving.

BEET CARPACCIO WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a pot with 3 inches of water, insert a steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and place beets inside the steamer basket. Cover pot. Cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, checking water level periodically, 35 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and cool, about 30 minutes.
• Peel the beets; if you are using red and golden beets, peel the golden ones first so you don't end up turning them pink. Remove any remaining root stems. Thinly slice beets and arrange on a serving platter. I use a round plate and start in the center, alternating red and golden beet slices. Dot the top with goat cheese - you want to be able to see the beets but have enough cheese because it pairs so well with the beet. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
• Combine rice vinegar, olive oil, mint, and sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle over beets.

SPICY THAI BEEF SALAD WITH LEMONGRASS-MINT VINAIGRETTE AND NUTS

Steps:

• ---To make the marinade---.
• In a shallow dish, combine all the marinade ingredients.
• Add the steak strips and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes.
• In a large sauté pan or skillet over high heat, heat the sesame oil and sauté the steak for 5 minutes per side for medium rare.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer the steak to a plate and let rest for 10 minutes.
• ---To make the vinaigrette---.
• In the same pan over high heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the lemongrass, shallot, ginger, garlic, and lime leaves for about 10 seconds, or until lightly browned.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients.
• Set aside.
• ---To make the stir-fry---.
• In a large sauté pan or skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil and sauté all of the ingredients except the noodles for 1 minute, tossing frequently.
• Add the noodles and cook 1 minute.
• Set aside.
• ---To serve---.
• Slice the steak into 1-inch to 2-inch strips.
• Divide the salad greens among 4 salad plates.
• Divide the stir-fry sprout mixture over the greens, and then top with beef strips.
• Drizzle vinaigrette around the salads and garnish with macadamia nuts.

WATERMELON CANTALOUPE SALAD WITH MINT-BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Scoop 2 cups each from the watermelon and the cantaloupe using a melon baller. Carve the remainder of the watermelon out and reserve shell.
• Add to a blender the chopped mint, chopped basil, lemon juice, simple syrup and amaretto. Blend until smooth.
• Add the watermelon and cantaloupe balls to the carved out watermelon half.
• Add the vinaigrette to the balls and toss to combine.
• Garnish with the mint and basil sprigs and taste.

JICAMA SALAD WITH LIME VINAIGRETTE AND MINT CREAM

Steps:

• Using a knife or peeler, peel jicama. Cut off rounded edges to shape jicama into a solid square or rectangle. Slice 1/4 inch thick, then cut slices into 2-inch squares. Set aside in a bowl.
• Peel oranges with a knife and cut into segments, removing as much white pith as possible. Add to jicama (reserving a few segments for garnish) and refrigerate. This can be done up to 4 hours ahead.
• Make the mint cream: In a blender, combine pepitas, mint, oil, honey and lime juice. Blend at high speed until smooth. While blending, slowly add 1/2 cup cold water and blend until emulsified. Blend in sour cream and salt. Strain to remove any solids.
• When ready to serve, add pepitas, sunflower seeds and mint leaves to bowl (reserving a few leaves for garnish) with jicama and oranges. Whisk together lime juice, oil, salt and honey, then pour over salad and toss gently. Taste for salt and other seasonings, adding more as needed.
• Spoon 2 or 3 tablespoons of mint cream on each plate or bowl and swirl to cover bottom. Gently spoon salad mixture on top. Garnish with reserved orange segments and mint leaves, plus watermelon or pomegranate seeds and molasses, if using. Serve immediately.

MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first eight ingredients; shake well. Drizzle over greens.

BEET CARPACCIO WITH GOAT CHEESE AND MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place beets on sheet (if using both light- and dark-colored beets, place them on separate sheets to prevent discoloration). Sprinkle beets lightly with water. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until beets are tender when pierced with fork, about 40 minutes. Cool on sheet. Peel beets. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Place in resealable plastic bag; chill.)
• Using cheese slicer or knife, slice beets very thinly. Slightly overlap slices on 6 plates, dividing equally. Sprinkle with cheese, then shallot, salt, and pepper. Whisk vinegar, mint, oil, and sugar in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over beets. Sprinkle with chives.

ASPARAGUS, HAZELNUT AND MINT SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon zest and juice, vinegar, mustard, syrup, salt and pepper. Slowly add olive oil whisking constantly.
• Bring large saucepan of salted water to boil; cook asparagus 2-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Transfer to ice water with slotted spoon. When cool to touch, drain well and spread on towel to absorb remaining water.
• Combine asparagus and quinoa in large bowl; toss with about 1/4 c of vinaigrette. Add coursely chopped nuts, scallions and fresh mint.
• Season with salt and pepper and more vinaigrette to taste.
• Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 4-6.

LEMON AND MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon zest, juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, stir in mint leaves.

CHINOIS GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH CILANTRO MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients. Pour them over the lamb and let it marinate for 1 hour. Remove from the marinade and let stand until ready to cook.
• While the lamb is marinating, prepare the vinaigrette.
• Season the lamb with salt and pepper and place it on a hot grill. Grill medium rare, about 15 to 20 minutes; or cut the rack into chops and saute them in a pan over high heat for about 2 minutes on each side. (Cook the chops in several batches, if necessary, but don't crowd the pan.)
• Make an island of the sauce on each plate. Place lamb chops on center. Decorate with cilantro or mint sprigs on top and serve with stir-fried vegetable or stir-fried rice.
• To make the vinaigrette, combine all the ingredients, except the oil, and blend. Slowly add peanut oil. Season with salt and pepper and strain, if necessary, into a bowl.

BASIL, MINT, AND ORANGE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a blender blend together all ingredients until emulsified.

HONEY-MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients together; you can also do this in a blender or food processor, but note that this will then puree the mint leaves.
• Use right away, or refrigerate until needed; if refrigerated, whisk again to combine before using.
• Use to dress a large salad; goes especially nice on a relatively plain salad (ie, just mixed greens and raw mushrooms is great).

CUCUMBERS WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers and slice them in half lengthwise.
• Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard.
• Cut the cucumbers into thin slices and combine in a bowl with the oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
• Add the mint immediately before serving.