Macerated Melon Recipes

MACERATED FRUIT

Steps:

• Combine your ingredients of choice in a medium bowl and toss together until the fruit is evenly coated. For inspiration, try some of my favorite fruit, herb and spice combinations, such as Peach and Ginger, Blackberry and Mint, Cherry and Cinnamon and Strawberry and Vanilla.
• Cover the bowl with reusable or regular plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring about halfway through and gently pressing the fruit with a rubber spatula until the liquid completely covers the fruit.
• After the 24 hours, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, gently pressing on the fruit with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve both the fruit and the liquid. Discard any other solids, such as herb sprigs, whole spices or aromatics.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated fruit: Serve immediately on top of yogurt with granola, or desserts, such as grilled pound cake or ice cream. You can also muddle the fruit into cocktails or add it to sangria. The fruit can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw before serving.
• The macerated liquid can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, cover with reusable or regular plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. You can use a small offset spatula to help remove individual cubes from the tray, then thaw the macerated liquid as needed.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated liquid:
• Homemade soda: For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup macerated liquid in a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit shrub: For the shrub base, combine 1 part macerated liquid with 1 part apple cider vinegar (for example, 1/2 cup of each). Mix to evenly combine. For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup of the shrub base into a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit vinaigrette: Turn your shrub base (see above) into a vinaigrette. Whisk 1 part shrub base with 1 part neutral oil (such as canola, grapeseed or vegetable oil; for example, 1/4 cup of each) in a bowl until emulsified. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Fruit syrup: Bring the macerated liquid to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half and thickened to the consistency of maple syrup-it should coat the back of a spoon without running off very quickly. Let the syrup cool completely, then serve over ice cream, pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt and granola. The syrup also makes for a great gift when poured into a jar. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

MACERATED MELON

Steps:

• Cut off top and bottom poles of melons. Place one cut side against cutting board and slice off rind in segments, cutting smoothly from top to bottom. Repeat with second melon. Halve melons lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Cut flesh into 1inch wedges, then cut wedges crosswise at an angle into diamonds or triangles. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over melon. Stir gently, cover, refrigerate and let macerate for 46 hours. Serve cold.

PROSCIUTTO AND MELON

Steps:

• Scoop out seeds from each melon half. Cut each half into 6 wedges. Remove melon skins. Add 1 slice of prosciutto to top of each wedge. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Add pepper, to taste.

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SHRIMP AND MELON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp and simmer until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; pat dry and transfer to a large bowl. Add the melon, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, the honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; gently stir. Let marinate 15 minutes.
• Wrap 1 melon slice and 1 shrimp in a piece of prosciutto; secure with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Transfer the remaining marinade to a blender. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar and the herbs; puree. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the prosciutto-shrimp bundles with the dressing.