Harissa & Preserved Lemon Mint Martini


Ingredients

3 ounces gin
½ ounce mint infused dry vermouth (recipe follows)
½ ounce preserved lemon liquid (recipe follows)
2-3 drops harissa (recipe follows)
Preserved lemon garnish
Mint leaf garnish

Directions

In a glass filled with ice place the gin and the vermouth and stir. Add the lemon preserved liquid and strain into a martini glass. Place one preserved lemon segment and a mint leaf in for garnish and drop 2-3 drops harissa in the center.

Quick Preserved Lemons

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

10 lemons, scrubbed of any wax or residue
3 tablespoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup lemon juice

Directions

Slice lemons, including peel, removing as many seeds as possible. Put the lemons and their juice in a bowl, and sprinkle with the salt and sugar. Toss well, and transfer to a jar. Let the mixture sit for at least 3 hours at room temperature, shaking the jar periodically. It can be served at that point or refrigerated for up to a week.

Ger-Nis Harissa

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

8 dried guajillo chilies, stems removed, broken
5 dried red chilies, stems removed, broken
1 dired chili de arbol
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon caraway seeds, toasted
4 garlic cloves
1 bell pepper, roasted & peeled
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (optional)

Directions

Place the dried chilies in a medium bowl and cover with the boiling water, let stand for about 15 minutes, allowing the chilies to soften. Grind the toasted seeds until a powder is formed. Transfer the softened chilies, the spices, the garlic, the red pepper, the lemon zest and juice, the salt and the olive oil into a food processor and process until smooth. At this stage add the fresh mint leaves and process until all the mint is chopped and incorporated. Season with salt to taste. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Mint Infused Vermouth

Ingredients

1 bottle dry vermouth
20 fresh mint leaves, torn in half

Directions

In a mason jar or large jar combine the vermouth and the mint and allow to infuse, turning upside down periodically, for 2 days. Strain.

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