Is this perennial herb taking over your garden? Consider yourself lucky, hack it back, and make fresh mint syrup. Then use it to make Gino's Mint Chocolate Chip Cake.
Hello Domenica - I have been an irregular reader of your newsletter lately, but I started scrolling through your latest stories these past few days and saw how much I missed. And today, you highlight mint, and give us a recipe of mint syrup! What a treat! I shall make it for sure. I love "sirop de menthe" with water as a refreshing drink. Also, after having lived so long in the US, the taste of chocolate and mint together has grown on me, and this mint and chocolate cake is quite appealing! Thank you!
What a lovely theme and wonderful writing, Domenica ! La Locanda di Gino in Sulmona is always where we go to, and have forever, but I have never had dessert there, and am fascinated ! And have ordered Italian Cookies and so look forward to its arrival. Have you ever planted Roman mint (mentuccia romana, clinopodium nepeta) in your garden -- the one used to flavor artichokes in Rome, with a lovely tiny leaf, a variety you trod on all over much of Italy's temperate campagna in winter, releasing its marvelous smell ? A tiny patch put in and largely neglected and you very soon have an ample amount for a year of cooking.
Marjorie ~ how wonderful that you not only know La Locanda di Gino but have been there many times. I almost skipped dessert that day, but they brought out the plate of cake and I couldn't resist taking one small piece. I'm so glad I did. I have not planted Roman mint, but what a good idea. I will be back in Italy in September, staying for a couple of months. I hope we get a chance to meet in person. And thanks for your kind words. I hope you enjoy Italian Cookies!
On my calendar, Domenica, and I will bring you some seeds to plant. We lived in McLean VA for some years in the early 1980s and scattered seeds of wild arugola and Roman mint all over our tiny back garden. It was a paradise for pollinators and most of all for Rome-sick us, who could just go out and be immersed in Italian smells underfoot - and of course, brought them inside to the salad bowl and the kitchen !
I love the cornmeal cake, too, and have never tried it with cherries. I bet it would be fantastic, as I'm sure Giulia's cake made with peaches must be. Summer baking at its finest...
I remember that cake so well. I have made it many times. But not recently. I'm in NH now, but when I get home, I now know what to do with my unruly mint. Thank you for bringing back good memories.
I'm definitely going to try making my own mint syrup and pouring it over some shaved ice. It's a funny thing I love fresh mint but I detest anything store bought that's "mint flavored".
I loved reading about Sulmona and Gino. Thanks for sharing, Domenica. My husband and daughter are big chocolate chip cookies + after eight lovers — I think they’ll enjoy this cake! I’ll have to make it.
Hello Domenica - I have been an irregular reader of your newsletter lately, but I started scrolling through your latest stories these past few days and saw how much I missed. And today, you highlight mint, and give us a recipe of mint syrup! What a treat! I shall make it for sure. I love "sirop de menthe" with water as a refreshing drink. Also, after having lived so long in the US, the taste of chocolate and mint together has grown on me, and this mint and chocolate cake is quite appealing! Thank you!
Thank you, Odile. I’m glad you had a little time to catch up. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. À bientôt!
What a lovely theme and wonderful writing, Domenica ! La Locanda di Gino in Sulmona is always where we go to, and have forever, but I have never had dessert there, and am fascinated ! And have ordered Italian Cookies and so look forward to its arrival. Have you ever planted Roman mint (mentuccia romana, clinopodium nepeta) in your garden -- the one used to flavor artichokes in Rome, with a lovely tiny leaf, a variety you trod on all over much of Italy's temperate campagna in winter, releasing its marvelous smell ? A tiny patch put in and largely neglected and you very soon have an ample amount for a year of cooking.
Marjorie ~ how wonderful that you not only know La Locanda di Gino but have been there many times. I almost skipped dessert that day, but they brought out the plate of cake and I couldn't resist taking one small piece. I'm so glad I did. I have not planted Roman mint, but what a good idea. I will be back in Italy in September, staying for a couple of months. I hope we get a chance to meet in person. And thanks for your kind words. I hope you enjoy Italian Cookies!
On my calendar, Domenica, and I will bring you some seeds to plant. We lived in McLean VA for some years in the early 1980s and scattered seeds of wild arugola and Roman mint all over our tiny back garden. It was a paradise for pollinators and most of all for Rome-sick us, who could just go out and be immersed in Italian smells underfoot - and of course, brought them inside to the salad bowl and the kitchen !
YES! We have so much mint growing basically in our outdoor shower. 😂 I call it shower mint. I'm making these.
Shower mint is the best mint 🌿😂
Mint syrup! Michela has been asking for mint chip ice cream so I think this sounds spot on.
Favorite summer cakes, hmmm…
That cornmeal cake of yours where you drop the fruit in mid bake (usually blueberries for us but I think I should try cherries soon!)
And this morning I baked Giulia’s “apple olive oil cake” with peaches and it was delicious! A keeper.
Does Michela know how lucky she is? ;-)
I love the cornmeal cake, too, and have never tried it with cherries. I bet it would be fantastic, as I'm sure Giulia's cake made with peaches must be. Summer baking at its finest...
I remember that cake so well. I have made it many times. But not recently. I'm in NH now, but when I get home, I now know what to do with my unruly mint. Thank you for bringing back good memories.
Enjoy New Hampshire, Barb!
This cake looks so good! 🌿
One of my favorites. Hope you're feeling better, Jolene. x
Sounds delicious. You had me at ricotta!
I love mint.
The ricotta is slightly surprising but gives a nice texture and a little richness to the cake.
I'm definitely going to try making my own mint syrup and pouring it over some shaved ice. It's a funny thing I love fresh mint but I detest anything store bought that's "mint flavored".
Such a difference when it’s homemade ~ like candied citrus peel!
I loved reading about Sulmona and Gino. Thanks for sharing, Domenica. My husband and daughter are big chocolate chip cookies + after eight lovers — I think they’ll enjoy this cake! I’ll have to make it.
It’s a refreshing cake. Would be really welcome in the Apulian heat!
Oohh yes! :)