Minty Fresh French Aperitif And Appetiser Charentais Melon Bowls Recipes

MINTY FRESH FRENCH APERITIF AND APPETISER CHARENTAIS MELON BOWLS

Steps:

• To prepare: Halve and remove the pips and fibres. Cut a small piece from the bottom of each melon so they sit upright in a bowl.
• Run a knife carefully around the top edge of the melon, as you would prepare a grapefruit. Then cut the flesh in to segments - going as deep as you can without damaging the outer skin - almost like a sunburst pattern - like rays of the sun! Wiggle the knife around to make them quite deep - the liquor will seep into them whilst they are chilling. Place the melon halves in attractive individual serving bowls.
• Pour in the pineau, sherry or port until the centre of the melon is filled - making sure that it is not too full as it will run over. Place the filled melon halves in the fridge for about 4 hours to chill before serving. Place a mint sprig into each melon half to serve.
• To store - Keep uncut melons at room temperature until fully ripened, then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cut melon should always be covered with Clingfilm and used within 3 days.

MELON MELBA BOWLS

Steps:

• Slice the peaches and add to a medium bowl. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of lemon zest, a couple of tablespoons lemon juice, and sugar. Let the peaches sit for 5 minutes, then gently stir in the mint, if using, and the berries.
• Halve the cantaloupes and trim the bottoms so they sit flat. Scoop out the seeds and fill with ice cream or sorbet and the Melba topping.

MELON BOWLS WITH HONEY DRESSING

Steps:

• Make dressing of sour cream, mustard and honey.
• Beat well.
• Add orange peel and salt.
• Slowly beat in fruit juices.
• Chill at least one hour.
• At serving time, arrange berries and bananas in melon bowls, and spoon dressing over all.

MELON BOWLS WITH PROSCIUTTO AND WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Arrange prosciutto in one layer on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 20 minutes. Let cool. Coarsely chop half the prosciutto; set aside.
• Halve melons, and discard seeds. Drizzle 3 tablespoons vinaigrette over watercress, onion, tomatoes, chopped prosciutto, and basil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and toss well. Divide salad among melon halves, and serve with remaining prosciutto slices.