Melon And Prosciutto With Strawberry Basil Granita Recipes

PROSCIUTTO AND MELON (PROSCIUTTO E MELONE)

Steps:

• Prepare the cantaloupe and cut it into wedges. I find it easier to peel the cantaloupe, once you cut it. So, first, cut the cantaloupe in half. Using a spoon, remove the seeds. Then cut each half into wedges and peel them. 
• Wrap the prosciutto around the cantaloupe wedges and arrange them on a serving platter (left some wedges without prosciutto, since I had more cantaloupe to use up).
• Drizzle a little bit of balsamic glaze or quality honey (or both, if you like) If using, arrange a few basil leaves on the platter. I loved the addition of fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and freshness, but this is totally optional. 
• Serve immediately or chill for a few hours until ready to serve.

STRAWBERRIES WITH BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Make simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring 1 cup of the simple syrup, the juice and wine to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Carefully transfer to a blender, add the basil and pulse until smooth (leave the filler cap off to let steam escape). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into an 8-inch square metal pan. Freeze 3 to 4 hours, scraping the mixture with a fork every 20 minutes to make it slushy; freeze until ready to serve.
• Cut off the tops of the strawberries and trim the bottoms so that they sit upright. Using a small melon baller, scoop out the inside of each strawberry to make a small cup. Fill with a spoonful of the granita.
• Serve immediately.
• Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine

STRAWBERRY BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool, the mixture should be the consistency of maple syrup.
• Combine the strawberries and basil in a food processor and puree. Add the sugar mixture and pulse the machine to combine. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish, cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for about 2 hours.
• When the edges begin to harden, use the tines of a fork to scrape them into bits. Repeat the procedure in 1 to 2 hours, and then occasionally thereafter, until the mixture is frozen through in "shavings." Freeze overnight.
• Spoon the granita into serving dishes and garnish each with a basil leaf, then serve.

MELON WITH BASIL-LIME GRANITA

Steps:

• Bring water and 2/3 cup sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely in an ice bath, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Purée syrup with basil and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoon lime juice until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a 3-quart shallow nonreactive container, pressing on and then discarding solids.
• Freeze basil-lime syrup, stirring and crushing lumps with a fork every 30 minutes, until evenly frozen, about 2 hours.
• One hour before serving, cut melons into small wedges and peel. Combine in a large bowl. Whisk together remaining 2 tablespoon lime juice and 1 tablespoon sugar and pour over fruit. Let macerate, tossing occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Scrape granita with a fork, crushing any lumps. Serve melon in shallow bowls, drizzled with melon liquid and topped with granita and mint.

PROSCIUTTO E MELONE (ITALIAN HAM AND MELON)

Steps:

• Remove the flesh from the rind of the cantaloupe; wrap each piece of cantaloupe with a slice of the ham. Serve cold.

MELON AND PROSCIUTTO WITH STRAWBERRY BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the strawberries, sugar, curry powder and sherry vinegar in a processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the basil and process until finely minced. Transfer the mixture to a metal pan and place in the freezer. Freeze until mixture becomes a firm slush, mixing several times with a fork, about an hour. Heat a non-stick pan over medium high heat. Wrap the melon wedges with prosciutto. Melt the butter in the hot pan, add the melon wedges and saute each side until the prosciutto is browned. Remove the melon wedges and deglaze the pan with the lemon juice. To serve, put a small handful of mesclun greens on each of four plates. Place a melon wedge on top and drizzle the glaze from the pan over the greens. Divide the strawberry granita between the plates and serve.

MELON AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• Peel, seed and clean cantaloupe; cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, mix sugar and strawberries by mashing together with a spoon.
• Mix in oil, lemon zest and ginger into the strawberry mixture and combine well.
• Arrange the melon and prosciutto on a plate, spoon salsa over.
• Serve immediately.