Melon With Serrano Mint Syrup Recipes

MELON WITH SERRANO-MINT SYRUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, lemon juice, honey and serrano pepper to a boil; cook 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in mint and lemon zest. Cool completely., Strain syrup; discard pepper, mint and lemon zest. In a large bowl, combine melons. Add syrup; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours, stirring several times.

SPICY MELON AND SERRANO HAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, vinegar, water, sugar, and lemon rind. Set the pan over medium heat, and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Cut the watermelon and cantaloupe into large cubes, and drop them into the pickling liquid. Let the melon pickle for about 1 minute to allow the exotic flavors to infuse the flesh lightly.
• To serve: Lay 2 slices of ham in the center of a serving plate and top with a nice mound of the pickled melons. Scatter some olives around the portion, drizzle with the olive oil, and a dash of coarse salt. Repeat with the remaining ingredients

MELON WITH MINT LIME SYRUP AND JALAPENO (ADAPTED FROM FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine sugar and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Lower heat and simmer 3 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in lime juice and mint. Cover syrup and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
• In a large bowl combine honeydew and cantaloupe cubes. Add syrup and jalapeno and toss to combine. Serve melon with a little syrup spooned over.

SUMMER MELON WITH BASIL-MINT GRANITA

Steps:

• Mix sugar, chopped mint, basil, and lime peel in medium bowl. Mash with wooden spoon until herbs turn dark green, about 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice and 1 1/4 cups water. Let stand 1 hour. Strain into large bowl, pressing on solids. Transfer 1/2 cup lime syrup to small pitcher; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining lime syrup into 13x9x2-inch metal baking dish. Place dish in freezer. Stir syrup with fork every hour until frozen, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)
• Divide melon wedges among 8 shallow soup bowls. Drizzle melon with reserved lime syrup. Scrape granita into flakes with fork. Spoon generous 1/2 cup granita atop melon in each bowl. Sprinkle with sliced mint leaves, garnish with mint sprigs, and serve.

MELON TRIO WITH SHERRY AND MINT

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss the honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and crenshaw melon cubes with sherry and 2 tablespoons of mint. Refrigerate for 1 hour to blend the flavors.
• To serve, spoon into decorative glasses, and garnish with a mint leaf or two.

MELON WITH LIME SYRUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/2 cup water; place over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until syrup has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice, and chill in an ice-water bath.
• Meanwhile, cut the melons into attractive 1/4-inch-thick slices. Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle with the cooled syrup, garnish with mint leaves, and serve immediately.

MELON WITH PORT AND MINT

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 cup water, 2 tablespoons minced mint and sugar in small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Cover; let syrup stand at room temperature at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Strain syrup into small bowl. Stir in Port and 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint. Arrange melon slices on platter. Pour Port syrup over. Cover and chill 2 hours. Garnish with mint sprigs.