Mintcrepes Food

MINT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and pale yellow; beat in the cornstarch and set aside.
• Bring the half-and-half to a simmer in a saucepan.
• Slowly beat the hot half-and-half into the egg mixture.
• Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and place over low heat.
• Stir constantly using a whisk or wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly (be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble).
• Remove from the heat and pour the hot custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl.
• Let the custard cool slightly, the stir in the cream, peppermint extract, and food coloring; cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.
• Stir the chilled custard, then freeze in 1 or 2 batches in an ice cream maker by following the manufacturer's directions.
• When finished, the ice cream will be soft but ready to eat; for firmer ice cream, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze several hours.
• *After-Dinner Mint Ice Cream: add ¾ cup chopped chocolate-covered mint candies to the machine when the ice cream is semifrozen; allow the machine to mix in the candy; proceed as directed.
• *Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream: add ½ cup white creme de cacao to the custard before freezing; proceed as directed, adding ½ cup crushed chocolate wafers to the machine when the ice cream is semifrozen; allow the machine to mix in the wafers.

MINT CREPES

Steps:

• In a food processor blender, blend the flour, water, butter, and salt for about 5-10 seconds. Scrape the sides of the container down and blend for another 20 seconds.
• Transfer batter to a bowl and let rest for 1 hour. Stir in the herbs.
• Heat a 6-7 inch skillet over medium heat, sprayed with non-stick spray. Pour batter into the pan to coat (very thin) bottom of pan. Heat crepe for 1-2 minutes or until loose from the pan. Flip over and cook for another 30 seconds.

MINT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CREPES

Steps:

• To make the filling:
• In a saucepan stir together the cocoa powder, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch, and a pinch of salt, add the milk in a stream, whisking, and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking until it is thick and smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. In a bowl beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, add the mint extract, and beat in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, beating until the whites hold stiff peaks. Stir one third of the whites into the cocoa mixture and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Make 8 crêpes (procedure follows) with the chocolate crêpe batter. Spread 1/3 cup of the filling onto half of each crêpe and fold the crêpes gently over the filling. Bake the crêpes on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F. oven for 10 minutes, transfer them to plates, and serve them with the sauce.
• To make crêpes:
• melted unsalted butter for brushing the pan crêpe batter
• In a blender or food processor blend the flour, the cocoa, the sugar, the salt, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, the milk, the eggs, and the butter for 5 seconds. Turn off the motor, with a rubber spatula scrape down the sides of the container, and blend the batter for 20 seconds more. Transfer the batter to a bowl and let it stand, covered for 1 hour. The batter may be made
• 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Makes enough batter for about 18 crêpes.
• Heat a crêpe pan or non-stick skillet measuring 6 to 7 inches across the bottom over moderate heat until it is hot. Brush the pan lightly with the butter, heat it until it is hot but not smoking, and remove it from the heat. Stir the batter, half fill a 1/4-cup measure with it, and pour the batter into the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan quickly to cover the bottom with a layer of batter and return any excess batter to bowl. Return the pan to the heat, loosen the edge of the crêpe with a spatula, and cook the crêpe for 1 minute, or until the top appears almost dry. Turn the crêpe, cook the other side lightly, and transfer the crêpe to a plate. Make crêpe with the remaining batter in the same manner, brushing the pan lightly with butter as necessary. The crêpes may be made 3 days in advance, kept stacked, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled.
• To make the sauce:
• In a heavy saucepan heat the chocolate and the cream over moderately low heat, stirring, until the chocolate is melted, but do not let the mixture boil. In a small bowl combine the cocoa powder with the brown sugar. In a small heavy saucepan bring 1/4 cup water to a simmer, add the cocoa powder mixture, a little at a time, stirring, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Add the chocolate cream mixture and the salt and cook the mixture, stirring, until it is smooth, but do not let it boil. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and transfer the sauce to a bowl. Let the sauce cool and chill it, covered, for at least 2 hours, or until it is cold. The sauce keeps, covered and chilled, for 2 weeks. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.