Chilled Crenshaw Melon Soup Recipes

CHILLED WATERMELON SOUP

Steps:

• Put 5 cups of diced watermelon in a food processor or blender and blitz to a purée. Strain purée through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl. You should have about 4 cups purée. Season with salt and pepper and cayenne, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chill bowl on ice or refrigerate.
• To serve, place remaining diced watermelon, honeydew melon and cucumber in a small mixing bowl. Toss with a little salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Divide mixture evenly into chilled soup bowls.
• Ladle watermelon purée into each bowl. Sprinkle with chives, basil and mint. Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper and flaky salt if desired. Pass lime wedges separately.

MELON SOUP

Steps:

• Place melon cubes, lemon juice, white sugar, honey, and a pinch of salt in a blender and puree for 1 minute. Then add the mint and yogurt and puree another 1 minute. While pureeing, add the grappa. Transfer the puree to a glass pitcher. Refrigerate. Serve with crostini bread sticks wrapped in prosciutto to enhance the soup's sweet flavors.

CHILLED MELON SOUP WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the melon, lime juice, jalapenos, yogurt, 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper in a blender and process until smooth. Refrigerate until cold.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the almonds in a bowl and toss with the water and then with the remaining salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Divide the soup among 4 bowls. Top with the almonds and mint and serve immediately.

CHILLED MELON SOUP

Steps:

• Put half of the cantaloupe into a blender along with the yogurt and blend until smooth. Add the remaining cantaloupe and blend again until smooth. Pour into a large mixing bowl. Add the orange juice, honey, nutmeg, salt and cayenne and blend until well mixed. Pour into a soup tureen and chill at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs before setting out.

COLD MELON SOUP

Steps:

• In a blender container, combine honeydew, lime juice, and honey. Blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and add yogurt.
• Beat with a fork or wire whisk until blended.
• Chill several hours.
• Serve cold.
• Whisk before serving and garnish each bowl with a few melon balls.
• NOTE: chilling time not included with prep time.