Irish Mints

Irish Cooking can also be found at The Petit Chef and Pinterest.

There are things that leave a strong and lasting visual memory: like the Asian art of folding towel into animal shapes adorning your hotel or cruise bed each night. These mints made a definite impression on me. They were presented beautifully on an after-dinner plate and on my pillow at bedtime at a hard-to-find bed and breakfast in County Carlow. The owner of the B&B was a wonderful lady who had perfected this art. They were so elegant, I thought it must be difficult to do. Not so.

Irish Colored Mints

                         Eli and Erin at Murphy's in Dublin 1985

County Carlow, one of Ireland's smallest counties, is located toward the southeast of Ireland, in the Province of Leinster. It is bordered by the scenic Blackstairs Mountains to the east. The fertile limestone land of the Barrow Valley and the Killeshin Hills lie to the west. The county's most prominent feature is the 5000-year-old granite formation known as Browne's Hill Dolmen. It is believed to have the largest capstone in Europe, weighing a colossal 100 tons. 

Located on the banks of the River Barrow, Carlow town is a bustling market center serving a large rural area. One of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the town has a very interesting background; it is believed that the courthouse on Carlow Street, modeled on the Parthenon in Athens, was originally meant for Cork, but the plans for the two buildings became mixed up. Only in Ireland! Other towns worth seeing include the Georgian village of Borris and the small angling town of Tullow on the River Slaney.

Traditionally, it was not a tourist county but with its close proximity to Dublin, Carlow's tourist industry has increased of late. Now it even boasts a modern hotel and spa. Amongst the gentle rolling landscape of County Carlow and the meandering River Slaney, lies the Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Country Club. This charming four-star resort is an eclectic blend of contemporary design and lavish detail set in glorious, peaceful surroundings, only an 80-minute drive from the nation's capital, Dublin. The hotel stands on its own 18-hole championship golf course designed by Christie O'Connor, Jr. and also features the Sanctuary Spa, a Leisure Club, and an on-site Boutique. This is a luxury resort by Irish standards, and Irish friends who have visited there agree with the hotel's advertising: "The outstanding beautiful resort catches the individual moods of our guests so that to each one it becomes a personal retreat." 

But I bet they don't have these mints on the guests' pillows. Only the caring of a B&B owner could provide that personal touch. So the next time you have overnight guests, put these together to make your friends feel special and loved.

I found this particular recipe in an old Southern cookbook of my mother's.  They are almost identical to the taste of my memory.

Irish Colored Mints: 

Ingredients:

½ tsp. of salt
Pastel food coloring as desired
15 to 20 drops of peppermint flavoring
1 cup of granulated sugar 
½ cup of vegetable shortening
½ cup of milk 
1 box of powdered sugar 

Preparation: 

Sift the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Mix together the milk, granulated sugar, and shortening bringing to a boil in a saucepan. Pour the mixture into the powdered sugar. Add the peppermint flavoring and food coloring; beat with an electric mixer until mixture holds its shape or ribbons. 
While still warm put into pastry tubes and form into desired shapes. You can also put into candy molds or form into patties for a peppermint patty! Spread onto wax paper and let air dry overnight. Be creative. Make several batches with different colors and combine for a beautiful and unique after-dinner mint presentation. Coordinate colors and themes for holidays.  Let out your whimsy.