CREME DE MINT STRAIN RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the garnish, mix the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon together and set aside.
• Pour the brandy, crème de cacao and double cream into a cocktail shaker (or see tip, below), then add a generous handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold, then strain into two small coupe or cocktail glasses.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of the spiced sugar, then serve. THREE TWISTS Serve these cocktails at your next dinner party. They’re so delectable, they double as dessert – serve with a teaspoon to enjoy all the toppings. Trifle alexander Drop 1 black cherry in syrup into the bottom of two small cocktail glasses along with a dash of the syrup. Tip 80ml brandy, 50ml sweet sherry, 50ml double cream, 1 tsp sugar syrup and ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste into a blender with a small handful of ice. Blitz until smooth and very cold, then pour into the prepared glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, then serve with savoiardi biscuits or sponge fingers for dipping. Serves 2. Strawberry alexander Blitz 80ml gin, 50g frozen strawberries, 50ml double cream, 25ml triple sec and 25ml water in a blender until very smooth. Pour into two tumblers and garnish each with a mini meringue, mint leaves and a pinch of freeze-dried strawberries. Serves 2. Passion fruit & coconut alexander Tip 80ml cachaça, 50ml coconut rum, 50ml double cream and the flesh of 1 passion fruit into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is cold, then double strain the cocktail into two martini glasses. Cut 1 passion fruit in half and drizzle the halves with a couple of drops of coconut rum. Float one half, cut-side up, on top of each cocktail. Serves 2.

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.