Cantaloupe And Prosciutto With Basil Oil Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

BROCHETTES OF MELON, PROSCIUTTO, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Using on/off turns, puree olive oil, 1/3 cup basil, and shallot in processor until basil and shallot are finely chopped.
• Cut each cantaloupe wedge crosswise in half. If using large mozzarella ball, trim and cut into 6 cubes. Alternate 1 melon piece, 1 piece ruffled prosciutto, 1 mozzarella ball or cube, 1 more prosciutto piece, and 1 more melon piece on each skewer. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature 15 minutes before serving.)
• Arrange skewers on platter. Drizzle with basil oil and sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Garnish with basil sprigs.
• *Available at Italian markets, cheese shops, and some supermarkets.

PROSCIUTTO, CANTALOUPE AND BUTTER SANDWICH WITH BASIL DRIZZLE

Steps:

• For the basil drizzle: Combine the basil, parsley, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, lemon juice and chile in a mini food processor and pulse to make a chunky paste. Add the olive oil and process until smooth and bright green.
• For the prosciutto, cantaloupe and butter sandwich: Spread the butter on both cut sides of the baguette. Drizzle the bottom piece with a tablespoon or so of the basil drizzle. Layer the prosciutto and cantaloupe on the bottom piece of the baguette, ruffling and folding the prosciutto as you go. Drizzle a tablespoon of the basil drizzle over the top. Drizzle the cut side of the top piece with 1/4 cup or so of the basil drizzle. Place the top piece of baguette on the prosciutto and cantaloupe and cut into 2 sandwiches using a serrated knife. Serve the extra basil drizzle on the side or reserve for another use.

HONEYDEW, CANTALOUPE AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place prosciutto slices 4 inches apart on baking sheet; cook until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, zest, juice and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Add honeydew and cantaloupe; toss to combine; divide among 4 bowls. Crumble prosciutto; sprinkle it and basil over salad. Serve immediately.

CANTALOUPE AND PROSCIUTTO WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• On a baking sheet toast pine nuts until golden, about 5 minutes, and cool. In a blender purée basil with oil until basil is minced. Pour purée through a very fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids, and discard solids.
• Halve and seed cantaloupe. Cut melon into 1/4-inch-thick wedges and discard rind.
• Spoon basil oil onto 4 plates. Arrange melon decoratively over oil and top with prosciutto. Sprinkle melon and prosciutto with pine nuts and cheese.

CANTALOUPE BASIL SALSA

Steps:

• Toss together all ingredients in a bowl and let stand, covered and chilled, 10 minutes.

CANTALOUPE AND MOZZARELLA WITH PROSCIUTTO AND BASIL

Steps:

• With a large melon baller, scoop melon flesh into a large bowl (or cut into bite-size pieces). Add bocconcini, oil, and red-pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Arrange prosciutto along edges of a large serving platter. Stir basil into melon mixture, transfer to center of platter, and serve.

PENNE WITH BASIL AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart kettle three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for penne. Cut prosciutto into thin strips and tear basil into pieces. Stir penne into boiling water and boil until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and in a large bowl toss hot pasta with oil, prosciutto, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and salt and pepper to taste.

MELON AND PROSCIUTTO WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND MINT

Steps:

• In a small bowl stir together the vinegar, the minced mint, and the sugar, let the mixture stand for 30 minutes, and force it through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing hard on the solids. Arrange 3 wedges of the melon on each of 4 chilled plates and drizzle each serving with some of the vinegar mixture. Drape each serving of melon with a slice of the prosciutto and garnish the plates with the mint sprigs.