Champagne Melon Soup With Raspberry Ice Balls Recipes

MINTED MELON SOUP WITH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the melon to stabilize it on the cutting board, then remove the rind. Cut the melon in half and remove the seeds.
• Cut half the melon into large chunks and place then in a blender with the orange juice, salt and wine. Add the honey if the melon is less sweet than you prefer. Blend until smooth, pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in the chiffonaded mint; chill thoroughly in refrigerator.
• Dice the remaining melon and add it to the soup. To serve, ladle the soup into chilled bowls and top with the raspberries and mint sprigs.

RASPBERRY-CHAMPAGNE SOUP WITH ROSEMARY- RASPBERRY SORBET

Steps:

• To make the sorbet, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes and set aside to cool. Place the raspberries, sugar syrup, vinegar and rosemary in a blender and puree until smooth. Let stand for 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Refrigerate until cold. Freeze according to the directions on your ice-cream machine.
• To make the soup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer just until the sugar dissolves. Let cool. Place all but one-half cup of the raspberries in a blender with the sugar syrup. Puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and refrigerate until cold.
• Just before serving, divide the soup mixture among four bowls and add one-half cup of Champagne to each. Place a scoop of the sorbet in the soup and garnish with the remaining raspberries.

FLEUR DE SEL MELON SOUP WITH CHAMOMILE SORBET

Steps:

• To prepare the melon, cut melon in half and scrape out the seeds. Using a small Parisienne spoon or scoop, cut out 1/4-inch balls. Reserve to the side.
• To prepare the soup, combine the water and sugar in a pot, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the ginger, honey, lime zest, white wine, and lime juice and let cool. Pour over the melon balls and allow to marinate for 2 hours.
• To prepare the sorbet, combine the water, sugar, and glucose in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the chamomile tea bags and steep for 15 minutes. Strain, and run through an ice cream machine. Reserve in the freezer.
• To serve: In the center of each bowl, divide the melon balls evenly. Place 1 scoop of sorbet in the center of the melon. Pour the soup around the melon and garnish with mint leaves, half raspberries, and a sprinkle of fleur de sel.

WATERMELON CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

Steps:

• For ice mold, place orange sliced in the bottom of a bundt pan or other decorative mold; pour juice over slices; freeze until solid, at least 8 hours.
• Scoop 3 cups of melon balls from watermelon, using the small end of a melon baller.
• Place melon balls in a plastic bag; refrigerate until serving time; cut remaining watermelon flesh into chunks; place in a blender, add sugar and lime juice; process in blender or food processor until smooth; press through a fine mesh strainer; refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.
• Remove ice ring just before serving by dipping the bottom of the mold in a sinkful of hot water for about 12 seconds; invert over a plate to unmold, gently slide the mold into punch bowl.
• Pour in half of the chilled puree; pour in champagne from 2 bottles; garnish with melon balls, reserving some for individual punch glasses; replenish the punch with remaining puree and champagne as needed.

CHAMPAGNE MELON SOUP WITH RASPBERRY ICE BALLS

Steps:

• In a blender, combine raspberries with 4 tablespoons water. Purée until smooth. Line a strainer with cheesecloth, and set over a bowl. Pour in purée, and twist cloth to squeeze out purée. Stir in 4 teaspoons of sugar, or to taste. Spoon mixture into an ice cube tray that makes round balls or another decorative shape. Freeze until firm.
• Cut honeydew melon in half, and remove seeds. Using a melon baller, remove flesh from melon to within 3/4 inch of peel. Set aside melon balls. Using a large spoon, scrape out and reserve remaining flesh. Discard peels.
• Cut cantaloupe in half, using a straight cut or saw toothed design. Remove seeds. Using a melon baller, remove flesh to within 1/4 inch of peel; reserve any extra flesh. Cut off bottoms of cantaloupes, so they stand securely. In a large bowl, mix honeydew and cantaloupe melon balls with lemon juice. Place an equal amount of melon balls in each melon half, and refrigerate.
• In a blender, purée any honeydew or cantaloupe flesh that has not been shaped into balls. Press through a fine strainer, and add 2 teaspoons of sugar. Refrigerate if desired.
• To serve, spoon 2 tablespoons of melon purée over melon balls in each cantaloupe half. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cut mint leaves into very thin strips, and dust lightly with sugar. Arrange 4 raspberry balls in each melon half, and sprinkle with mint. Set each melon half in soup bowl. At the table, pour Champagne directly into cantaloupe halves, and allow to fizz out and over cantaloupes.