Melon And Berries Steeped In Red Wine Sauternes Basil And Mint Recipes

MELON AND BERRIES STEEPED IN RED WINE, SAUTERNES, BASIL, AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath; set aside. Tie basil and mint in a small square of cheesecloth. In a small saucepan, combine Sauternes, red wine, sugar, vanilla bean, and mint-basil bundle. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; transfer to ice bath. Chill until lukewarm. Add melon, strawberries, and blackberries; transfer to a large bowl. Cover; place in refrigerator 4 to 6 hours.
• To serve, remove vanilla bean. Stir in raspberries. Transfer mixture to four bowls. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons Champagne over each, and garnish with currants, if desired, and mint.

WATERMELON-BERRY SALAD WITH CHILE DRESSING AND LOTS OF HERBS

Steps:

• Make the dressing:
• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. It keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake well before using.
• Make the salad:
• Cut the watermelon into 3 x 1 x 1-inch sticks, flicking out seeds as you go. You will have about 6 cups. Chill the watermelon in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Combine the chilled watermelon and onion in a large mixing bowl and season all over with the flaky salt. Add the berries, lemongrass, and dressing, then toss gently but well. Drizzle on the olive oil, add the herbs, and gently toss once more. Transfer to a platter to serve.

CHILLED WATERMELON SOUP

Steps:

• Put 5 cups of diced watermelon in a food processor or blender and blitz to a purée. Strain purée through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl. You should have about 4 cups purée. Season with salt and pepper and cayenne, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chill bowl on ice or refrigerate.
• To serve, place remaining diced watermelon, honeydew melon and cucumber in a small mixing bowl. Toss with a little salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Divide mixture evenly into chilled soup bowls.
• Ladle watermelon purée into each bowl. Sprinkle with chives, basil and mint. Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper and flaky salt if desired. Pass lime wedges separately.

BLACKBERRY-RED WINE GELATIN

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Add 1/2 cup water and the apple juice to a medium bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften about 5 minutes. Combine wine and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Reserve 8 blackberries for garnish; add remaining blackberries to the saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Slowly stir hot wine mixture into gelatin mixture. Transfer bowl to ice-water bath, and stir gently until cool, about 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a 9-by-5-by-2 1/2-inch nonreactive metal loaf pan. Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 45 minutes, or up to overnight. To unmold, set pan in warm water until gelatin loosens, about 2 seconds; invert onto a cutting board. Use a knife to break seal along edges if necessary. Cut gelatin into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Divide among 4 small bowls. Garnish each with 2 blackberries and mint leaves.

MELON AND BERRIES STEEPED IN RED WINE, SAUTERNES, BASIL, AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Tie the basil and mint in a small square of cheesecloth. In a small saucepan, combine the Sauternes, red wine, sugar, vanilla bean, and mint-basil bundle. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat; transfer to the ice bath. Chill until lukewarm. Add the melon, strawberries, and blackberries; transfer to a large bowl. Cover; place in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
• To serve, remove the vanilla bean. Stir in the raspberries. Transfer the mixture to 4 bowls. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons champagne over each, and garnish with currants, if desired, and mint.