Mint sugar

Infusing sugar is a delicious way to preserve fresh herbs such as mint. Use this in place of regular sugar in cakes, puddings and hot chocolate drinks.

Ingredients

■ Approximately 5 stems of mint

■ 350g sugar

Method

■ Thoroughly dry the leaves on kitchen towel. Strip leaves from the stems and layer them with the sugar in a jam jar. Stir every day for two weeks, then tip the contents into a sieve and remove the mint leaves. Pour sugar into clean jars and use within a year.

● For even more ideas on making herb sugar, vinegar and syrup, try The Creative Kitchen: Seasonal Plant-based Recipes for Meals, Drinks, Garden and Self-care, by Stephanie Hafferty.