Melon And Ginger Soup Recipes

MELON AND GINGER SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the whole melon into 8 wedges and the half into 4, and set aside two of the wedges. Remove the remaining melon from the rinds, and chop coarsely. Puree until smooth in a blender or a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in the lime zest and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, the salt, buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of the ginger juice, and the agave syrup. Taste and add the remaining ginger juice if desired. Cut the remaining wedges of melon into very small dice and place in a separate bowl. Chill the soup and diced melon for at least 1 hour.
• Just before serving, toss the diced melon with the mint and remaining lime juice. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the melon and mint, and serve.

WINTER MELON SOUP

Steps:

• Make broth:
• Rinse chicken inside and out, then stuff cavity with scallions, ham, and ginger. Bring water with chicken and salt to a boil in a deep 7- to 8-quart stockpot or pasta pot, then reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, skimming off froth occasionally, 3 hours. 3Remove and discard chicken, then pour broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Skim off fat. (You will have about 10 to 12 cups broth and need only 9 cups for this soup; reserve remainder for the Black-Bean Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli or for another use.)
• Make soup:
• Bring 2 cups broth to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, then add dried scallops and remove from heat. Soak, covered, 15 minutes.
• Return scallop mixture to low heat and simmer, uncovered, until scallops are soft and pale, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool in cooking liquid. Transfer scallops with a slotted spoon to a bowl, reserving cooking liquid. Shred scallops into "threads" with a fork or your fingers, discarding tough ligament from side of each scallop if attached. Bring remaining 7 cups broth to a simmer in cleaned 7- to 8-quart pot with scallops and reserved cooking liquid.
• Cut off and discard rind from winter melon. Remove and discard seeds, then cut melon into 1/3-inch cubes (about 5 cups). Add to broth and gently simmer, uncovered, until melon is transparent, 20 to 30 minutes. 3Stir in ham, ginger, scallions, and salt to taste just before serving.

COLD CANTALOUPE SOUP

Steps:

• Cut cantaloupe in 1-inch chunks. Place about 1/4 of them in a blender and process at high speed until puréed. Once you have a purée, gradually add remaining melon, processing until the mixture is smooth.
• Add lime juice and blend briefly. Season with salt to taste and blend again.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve, or serve at once. Divide soup among 6 soup plates and drizzle a little balsamic vinegar in a circular or squiggly pattern on top of each.