Giuliano Hazans Cantaloupe Ice Cream Recipes

GIULIANO HAZAN'S CANTALOUPE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Cut the melon into chunks about one inch thick.
• Put the melon chunks, the sugar and the water into a blender and puree until liquified. If using a food processor, put the melon and sugar in first and add the water after the melon is pureed completely.
• Whip the cream until it is about the density of sour cream. Add the cream to the pureed melon and stir well. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour.
• When it is quite cold, pour the melon mixture into an ice-cream maker and proceed according to the manufacturer's instructions. When done, the ice cream will be rather soft but ready to eat just the same. If you like it firmer, put it in a container with a tight-sealing lid and leave it in the freezer for three or four hours. If preparing it much longer in advance, let it soften in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

CANTALOUPE ITALIAN ICE

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar and water in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.
• Peel and seed the cantaloupes. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Puree in a food processor. Strain through a medium sieve. Mix strained cantaloupe juice, sugar syrup, and lemon juice with a wire whisk.
• Pour into an ice cream machine. Add some cantaloupe pulp, if desired. Freeze to a smooth consistency, according to manufacturer's directions.
• You may wish to place in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator for a few hours to harden. Serve in a dessert glass topped with whipped cream or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

CANTALOUPE GRAPPA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang at each end. Purée melon with 1/3 cup sugar, grappa, grenadine (if using), and salt in a blender until smooth. Transfer to large metal bowl and stir in yolks. Set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and beat with mixer until pale, thick, and tripled in volume and registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 8 minutes.
• Remove bowl from saucepan and set in a large ice bath. Continue to beat until cold, about 6 minutes.
• Beat cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in other large bowl using cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into cantaloupe mixture gently but thoroughly.
• Pour mixture into pan and freeze, loosely covered with plastic wrap, until firm, at least 5 hours. Uncover top and invert semifreddo onto a plate.