iamchum/robs.kitchen_recipe_dataset huggingface dataset:
Sambal Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/3 cup hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
1/4 cup fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
1/4 cup Sriracha
2 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2"-2" pieces
Ingredient info: Hot chili paste is available at Asian markets and many supermarkets.
8 bamboo skewers soaked in water at least 1 hour

Instructions:
Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Whisk brown sugar, vinegar, chili paste, fish sauce, Sriracha, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Thread 4 or 5 chicken pieces onto each skewer.
Transfer marinade to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced by half (about 1 cup), 7-10 minutes.
Grill chicken, turning and basting often with reduced marinade, until cooked through, 8-10 minutes.
Herb Grilled Chicken Wings

Ingredients:
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano, 1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary, 1/4 cup olive oil, Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, 2 pounds chicken wings

Instructions:
Combine garlic, oregano, rosemary, and oil in a large resealable plastic bag; season with salt and pepper. Add chicken wings, seal bag, and turn to coat. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
Prepare grill for medium heat. Remove wings from marinade and grill, covered and turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 15-20 minutes.
DO AHEAD: Chicken can be marinated 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
1 English hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, finely chopped
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Kosher salt
freshly ground pepper

Instructions:
Cook couscous according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
Whisk shallot, oil, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a large bowl. Add couscous, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and mint; season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired, and toss to combine.
DO AHEAD: Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh can be made 1 day ahead (omit herbs). Cover and chill. Fold in herbs just before serving.
Pickled Swiss Chard Stems

Ingredients:
1 pound chard stems (from about 4 bunches), cut into 4" lengths
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:
Toss chard stems, shallot, and salt in a colander set in the sink. Let stand 1 hour. Rinse and drain well.
Meanwhile, toast mustard and caraway seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until mustard seeds begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Let seeds cool.
Bring vinegar, sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan; let cool slightly. Pour brine into jars. Let cool slightly, then cover and chill.
DO AHEAD: Pickles can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.
Pickled Green Papaya Use the same salting method and brine, but instead of chard stems and shallot, use 1 sliced seeded peeled green papaya (about 1 lb.). Omit mustard and caraway seeds, and use 2 red or green Thai chiles and one 1"-piece peeled turmeric or ginger, thinly sliced. Pickled Banana Chiles Use the same salting method and brine, but instead of chard stems and shallot, use 1 lb. fresh banana chiles (cut a long slit in each pepper to allow brine to penetrate) and 1 sliced peeled carrot. Omit mustard and caraway seeds, and use 1 garlic clove.
Zucchini Fritters

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 medium), grated
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
1 large egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:
Mix vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Place zucchini in a colander set in the sink and toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let stand 10 minutes, then wring zucchini dry in a clean kitchen towel. Place zucchini in a large bowl and gently mix in egg, flour, chives, and cornstarch; season with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in 2 batches, drop 1/4-cupfuls zucchini mixture into skillet, flattening slightly; cook until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt. Serve with soy dipping sauce.
DO AHEAD: Fritters can be made 30 minutes ahead. Keep warm in a 200°F oven.
Peaches in Lillet

Ingredients:
8 ripe peaches (about 3 pounds), preferably freestone, peeled, cut into 1/2" wedges
1 750-milliliter bottle Lillet
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Instructions:
Toss peaches, Lillet, and basil in a large bowl. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
DO AHEAD: Peaches can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Roasted Strawberry–Buttermilk Sherbet

Ingredients:
4 cups strawberries (about 1 pound), hulled, halved or quartered if large
1 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/3 cup sour cream
Pinch of kosher salt
An ice cream maker

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine strawberries and sugar in a 13x9x2" baking pan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod; toss to combine. Roast berries, stirring occasionally, until juices are bubbling, 15-20 minutes. Let cool.
Discard pod. Purée berries, buttermilk, sour cream, and salt in a blender until smooth. Process mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer sherbet to an airtight container and freeze until ready to serve.
DO AHEAD: Sherbet can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Let soften at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
4-3-2-1 Spice Rub

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons kosher salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:
Makes enough spice rub for two whole chickens. Double or triple the recipe and use it all summer.
Blackberry Granita

Ingredients:
4 cups blackberries (about 18 ounces)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon crème de cassis (black-currant liqueur; optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of kosher salt
1/2 cup mascarpone
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus more for garnish
1 1/3 cups blackberries (about 6 ounces)
cut in half crosswise

Instructions:
Purée blackberries, sugar, crème de cassis, if using, lemon juice, salt, and 1 cup water in a blender until smooth. Strain purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a 13x9x2" baking pan, pressing on solids.
Freeze mixture until edges begin to set, about 30 minutes. Using a fork, scrape to break up frozen portions. Freeze, scraping and breaking up mixture every 20-30 minutes, until mixture resembles fluffy shaved ice, 2-4 hours.
DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and keep frozen. Scrape before serving.
Just before serving, whisk mascarpone, cream, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest in a medium bowl until soft peaks form.
Serve granita topped with lemon cream, halved blackberries, and more lemon zest.
Crispy Fish Sticks

Ingredients:
2 large eggs, beaten to blend
2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound flounder or cod fillets, sliced crosswise into 3/4"-wide strips
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil
divided

Instructions:
Place eggs, panko, and flour in 3 separate shallow medium bowls.
Season fish with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dredge fish in flour, shaking off excess. Coat with egg, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Coat with panko, pressing to adhere. Transfer fish to a plate.
Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches and adding 1/4 cup oil between batches, cook fish until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
Transfer fish sticks to a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt.
DO AHEAD: Fish sticks can be breaded 2 days ahead. Cover and chill, or freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 months. Fish sticks can be cooked from frozen (cooking time will be slightly longer).
Grilled Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, cut into wedges, keeping root intact
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon cumin seeds, coarsely crushed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 corn tortillas, warmed (for serving)
2 avocados, sliced (for serving)
Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde (for serving)
Cilantro sprigs
sliced radishes
and lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions:
Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Toss onion, garlic, chicken, cumin, oil, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Grill onion and chicken until cooked through and lightly charred, about 4 minutes per side.
Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with tortillas, avocados, Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde, cilantro, radishes, and lime wedges.
Blueberry Hand Pies

Ingredients:
Buttery Pie Crust
All-purpose flour (for dusting)
2 cups blueberries (about 10 ounces)
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon raw sugar

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on a floured surface to a 15x12" rectangle. Cut into 6 rectangles.
Toss blueberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Brush edges of rectangles with water; mound some blueberries in center of each. Fold dough over, and press edges to seal. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with raw sugar. Cut slits in tops.
Bake hand pies, rotating sheet halfway through, until juices are bubbling and pastry is golden brown, 35-40 minutes (juices will run onto parchment). Transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Beer-Can Chicken

Ingredients:
1 can light lager
1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken
2 tablespoons 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub
A foil baking pan (for drip pan)

Instructions:
Pour out (or drink) half of beer.
Prepare grill for high, indirect heat and fit with grill pan (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on 1 side of grill and put drip pan on empty side; for a gas grill, leave 1 burner turned off and place drip pan over unlit burner). Add water to pan to a depth of 1/2".
Season chicken with 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub. Place cavity of chicken, legs pointing down, onto open can so that it supports chicken upright. Place can, with chicken, on grill over indirect heat (and above drip pan). Grill chicken, covered, until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 45-60 minutes. (If using charcoal, you may need to add more to maintain heat.) Let chicken rest 10 minutes before carving. Serve with pan drippings.
Coal-Roasted Eggplants

Ingredients:
2 small eggplants (about 1 pound total)

Instructions:
Prepare a hardwood-charcoal fire in a grill. Let coals cool to medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining).
Place 2 small eggplants (about 1 pound total) directly on coals and cook, turning occasionally, until skins are blackened and flesh has collapsed, 10-15 minutes. (Alternatively, grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 15-20 minutes.) Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly.
Carefully remove skins from eggplants, leaving stems intact. Place eggplants on a wire rack set inside the same rimmed baking sheet and let stand 30 minutes to allow excess water to drain. Just before serving, split lengthwise and serve with desired sauce.
Baby Potato Salad

Ingredients:
2 pounds baby Yukon Gold or red-skinned potatoes (about 36), unpeeled
Kosher salt
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Instructions:
Place potatoes in a large pot and add cold water to cover by 2"; season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain and let potatoes cool slightly. Peel, if desired.
Meanwhile, whisk egg yolk and vinegar in a large bowl; season with salt. Whisking constantly, gradually add oil, drop by drop at first, and whisk until mayonnaise is thick and creamy. Whisk in mustard.
Add warm potatoes to bowl with mayonnaise and toss to coat; season with salt. Fold in chives just before serving.
DO AHEAD: Mayonnaise can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Banana Pancakes with Pineapple and Crème Fraîche

Ingredients:
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed
3 cups finely chopped pineapple (from about 1 medium pineapple)
1 cup sugar
1 cup crème fraîche
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
4 ripe bananas
peeled
sliced 1/4" thick

Instructions:
Bring lemon, pineapple, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until pineapple and lemon are soft, 35-45 minutes. Let cool completely.
Whisk crème fraîche and sugar in a medium bowl until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Preheat oven to 200°F. Whisk flour, salt, eggs, milk, 4 Tbsp. butter, and 1 cup water in a medium bowl.
Heat 1/2 tablespoons butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and swirl to coat pan. Pour 1/4 cup batter into pan and place 5-6 banana slices on top. Cook pancake until bottom is golden brown and top looks almost dry, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until pancake is just set and bananas are golden brown, 1 minute longer. Transfer to a baking sheet; cover loosely with foil and place in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter, batter, and banana slices, transferring to oven as you work.
Serve pancakes with pineapple marmalade and whipped crème fraîche.
DO AHEAD: Marmalade can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.
Sea Bass With Citrus-Olive-Caper Sauce

Ingredients:
8 sea bass fillets (about 5 ounces each), skin on
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 lemons, peeled and thinly sliced, segments halved
Juice of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
3/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
roughly chopped

Instructions:
Place broiler pan as close to heating element as possible and heat 5 minutes. On a plate, coat fillets on both sides with 1 tablespoon oil. Carefully remove pan from broiler and place on stovetop. Arrange fillets on pan, skin side down; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Broil fish 6 minutes. In a bowl, mix together lemon slices, juice, oregano, capers, olives, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place fish on platter; top with citrus-olive-caper sauce.
Feta Dill Dip

Ingredients:
1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
4 ounces crumbled feta, divided
1 cup fresh dill, divided
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions:
In a food processor, place yogurt, parsley, vinegar and all but 1 teaspoon feta and 1 teaspoon dill. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; top with remaining feta and dill and, if desired, pepper.
Creamy Beet Dip

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds beets, halved
Parchment paper
3/4 cup light sour cream
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Pinch ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 small clove garlic
Whole-wheat pita wedges (optional)

Instructions:
Heat oven to 425°F. Roast beets on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, turning once halfway through, until soft, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Peel beets under running water. In a food processor, combine beets, sour cream, 2 teaspoons juice, cardamom, salt and garlic; blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with zest to taste. Serve with pita, if desired.
Spiked Strawberry Lemon Spritzer

Ingredients:
1/2 cup honey, 8 strawberries, plus more for garnish, 12 ounces vodka, Juice of 4 lemons, 16 ounces sparkling water, 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:
In a small saucepan, simmer honey and 1/2 cup water over medium-low heat, 2 minutes. Let cool. Place 1 hulled berry in each of 8 glasses; mash. Fill glasses with ice. In a pitcher, combine honey mixture, vodka, juice and sparkling water; stir. Divide among glasses; garnish with berries and lemon slices.
Yogurt with Pistachio Brittle

Ingredients:
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 cup sugar
1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios (or a mixture of pistachios and cashews)
1/2 teaspoons flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
4 cups 2 percent Greek yogurt
1/4 cup honey
12 fresh
ripe apricots
pitted and sliced

Instructions:
Lightly coat an 8" square baking dish with cooking spray. In a small saucepan, cook sugar over low heat, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, until sugar melts and turns lightly golden, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and add nuts, stirring quickly to combine. Immediately pour brittle into baking dish; spread evenly into a 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick layer and sprinkle with salt. Use a sharp knife to score the brittle into 8 wedges. Let cool completely. Remove brittle from pan and break into wedges. Chop wedges into small pieces. Divide yogurt, honey, apricots and brittle among 8 bowls.
Spinach and Orzo Salad

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced, Juice and zest of 1 lemon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 4 ounces baby spinach leaves, 1 pound cooked orzo, 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped, 4 ounces chopped feta or haloumi cheese, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves

Instructions:
In a small pan, warm oil over medium-low heat. Sauté garlic until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer garlic and whatever oil remains in the pan to a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons juice, 2 teaspoons zest, salt and pepper; whisk to combine. Add spinach and toss lightly. Add orzo, olives, cheese, onion and mint. Toss to combine; serve.
Minty Meatballs

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (85 percent lean)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup 1 percent milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Parchment paper

Instructions:
In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours. Heat oven to 425°F. Form meat mixture into 24 oval balls (about 3 tablespoons each). Arrange on 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 8 minutes; turn and bake 10 minutes more. Garnish with parsley if desired; serve.
Phyllo Triangles Stuffed with Fresh Cheese (briouats bil jben)

Ingredients:
"1/2 lb/225 g ricotta, fresh semisoft farmers cheese, or Mexican queso fresco", 1 large egg
Heaped 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
4 sheets phyllo dough or warqa, plus more in case of breakage
Olive oil for brushing
1 egg yolk, whisked
Honey
Light olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:
In a medium mixing bowl, blend the cheese, egg, and cilantro with a fork.
On a clean, flat work surface, unroll the phyllo sheets. Cut into strips about 3 in/7.5 cm wide and at least 9 in/23 cm long. Arrange a couple of the strips facing away from you; cover the remaining strips with plastic wrap to keep them from drying out. Lightly brush the strips with olive oil.
Place 1 Tbsp of the cheese filling on the end of each strip closest to you. Fold over to form a triangle, then fold again to form another triangle, and so on to the end. Brush the end of the triangle with egg yolk and fold the loose end over the brushed yolk. Place the triangles on a plate without letting them touch. Repeat with the remaining phyllo strips and cheese filling.
Have ready 6 dessert plates. Place a generous dollop of honey in the middle of each.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat at least 1/2 in/1.25 cm of oil until the surface shimmers. Reduce the heat to medium. Working in small batches, gently place the phyllo triangles in the oil and fry, turning once, until firm and golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Place 2 or 3 rolls on each plate, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Black Cod Fillets Poached in Five-Spice Broth with Baby Bok Choy and Udon

Ingredients:
Two 6-oz/170-g black cod fillets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups/420 ml chicken broth
1 tbsp dry sherry
1 tsp soy sauce, plus more if needed
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp five-spice powder
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp vegetable oil
3 heads baby bok choy, cored and thinly sliced on the diagonal (see "It\s that easy"), leaves separated from stalks
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced on the diagonal (see "It\s that easy")
1 tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
3 oz/85 g udon noodles
1 green onion, white and tender green parts, thinly sliced on the diagonal (see "It\s that easy")
2 tsp minced fresh cilantro
1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions:
1. Pat the fillets dry and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, sherry, soy sauce, sugar, five-spice powder, and sesame oil. Set aside.
3. Heat a 12-in/30.5-cm skillet with a lid over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil shimmers, add the bok choy stems, carrot, and ginger and sauté until the bok choy turns bright green and the ginger is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the broth mixture and bring to a simmer. Add the noodles and give them a stir to keep them from sticking. When the broth returns to a simmer, top the noodles and veggies with the fish, bok choy leaves, and green onion. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the noodles and fish are tender and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Taste and add more soy sauce or pepper if the mix needs it.
4. Divide the noodles and fish between two warmed shallow bowls and ladle the broth and vegetables over. Garnish with the cilantro and sesame seeds and serve hot.
Mint Tea

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon loose-leaf gunpowder green tea
3 cups plus 3 tablespoons cool water
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
1 large handful of fresh mint, rinsed and picked over
4 tablespoons pine nuts
dry roasted (optional)

Instructions:
In a stove-top teapot, add the tea leaves and cover with the 3 tablespoons of water. Bring to a quick boil and immediately pour off the water, being carefully that no tea leaves escape. (This gets rid of the some of the bitterness, and allows the tea to seep longer with mint.)
Add the sugar to the wet grounds and cover with the remaining 3 cups of water. Over medium heat, with the lid open or off, bring to a boil.
Pour half of the liquid into a bowl or Pyrex measuring cup; reserve. Stuff the mint into the teapot, pressing it against the bottom of the pot with a spoon to gently and slightly crush the leaves. Return the reserved liquid to the teapot.
Simmer over low heat for a few minutes to let the mint infuse. Pour a glassful into a clear drinking glass and then back into the pot, from as high as possible without spilling to aerate the tea and blend the flavors. Repeat this two or three more times, as the color of tea changes from clear to a cloudy caramel.
Begin tasting for sweetness and flavor. Add more sugar if desired, or let it simmer another few minutes to make it stronger. Continue to pour glassfuls in and out of the pot until satisfied with both the sweetness and strength of the tea.
Serve in small clear tea glasses. Do not pour tea into them from the teapot, but from the glass used for mixing and testing (this will help trap any sediment).
If adding pine nuts, sprinkle into the glasses of tea before serving.