First step - grow the best cos lettuce you can! Lobjoits Green Cos (?) - my favourite so far.
Then - the sweet-and-sour mint syrup (keep a stock in the fridge).
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- at least 6 LARGE sprigs fresh mint
- Stir sugar and water on heat, until it's dissolved - bring to the boil.
- Add vinegar and lemon juice - bring back to the boil for 15-20 minutes until it's thick. A little dribbled on a cold saucer should have the consistency of thin honey.
- Add mint sprigs (washed and drained) to boiling syrup, and after 1 minute, remove pan from heat and leave until the syrup has cooled.
- Strain and pour into a bottle and store.
How to use - best way of all! Pour some syrup into a bowl, float some fresh mint sprigs or leaves on the top.
Serve with leaves of a REALLY good cos lettuce - very fresh, very crisp, very tasty. The idea is you fold a lettuce leaf, dip into the syrup, and eat. Makes an unusual dessert, or serve with a nice flat bread as a light, summery meal.
All best - Gavin