Recipes with mint leaves

Tomato and herb rigatoni with fresh basil, parsley, mint, garlic, and lemon juice tossed with warm pasta. A light, no-cook vegetarian sauce.

Spaghetti with swordfish and hot peppers is a coastal Sicilian-style pasta: cubed swordfish simmered with jalapeño, garlic, plum tomatoes, and white wine, finished with fresh mint and fennel fronds.

Cantaloupe balls and blueberries in a fresh mint sugar syrup served as a fruit salad or chilled dessert with whipped cream. A light, refreshing summer fruit dish.

Cantaloupe balls and blueberries in a fresh mint sugar syrup served as a fruit salad or chilled dessert with whipped cream. A light, refreshing summer fruit dish.

Herbolace pie: a medieval English double-crust cheese pie filled with curd, cottage cheese, cheddar, fresh mint, parsley, chives, and whole eggs tucked into the filling. A vegetarian classic.

Thai-style stir-fried clams with garlic, chili paste, fish sauce, and fresh mint. A fast, fiery shellfish dish where the clams steam open in a fragrant, spicy broth.

Lemon cloud dessert with a light baked soufflé top and chilled strawberry-mint compote. An elegant Easter or spring dinner-party dessert with bright citrus and fresh fruit.

Stuffed zucchini blossoms (kolokytholouloutha yemista) filled with rice, fresh mint, parsley, tomato, and olive oil, then simmered in water. A traditional Greek vegetarian appetizer.

Spiced melon cocktail with honeydew balls, flaked crabmeat, and a tangy whipped cream-mayo dressing spiked with paprika, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. A retro dinner-party starter with coastal flair.

Raw grated carrot salad with orange segments, fresh ginger, garlic, honey, mint, and walnuts in a citrus dressing. A no-cook Moroccan-inspired side dish that rests for two hours to develop flavor.

Cucumber yogurt salad with fresh mint, cumin, and nonfat yogurt. A cool, refreshing raita-style side dish that's low-fat and ready in 40 minutes.

Summer fruit compote with poached plums, boysenberries, raspberries, citrus, and grapes in a maple syrup and wine sauce finished with fresh mint. An elegant warm fruit dessert.

Spicy gazpacho with shrimp, a chilled Spanish tomato soup with bread-thickened body, cumin warmth, and red wine vinegar tang. Topped with poached shrimp and fresh mint for summer suppers.

Serve up this scrumptious side dish at your next barbecue or family gathering.

Mild fish pickle with tuna, white wine, vinegar, mustard seeds, and fresh herbs. A no-cook condiment or spread that keeps in the fridge for two weeks and brightens any cracker or toast.

Minted fruit salad tossed in a citrus syrup of orange juice, lemon, and a whisper of mint extract. Make-ahead friendly, the fruit drinks in the syrup as it chills, turning ordinary fruit into a brunch centerpiece.