Fire and Ice Melon
In this dazzling combination, the hot chiles contrast with the cool melon. This makes a perfect light summertime dessert or appetizer. Published in From the Earth to the Table: John Ash’s Wine Country Cuisine and used with permission.
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In this dazzling combination, the hot chiles contrast with the cool melon. This makes a perfect light summertime dessert or appetizer. Published in From the Earth to the Table: John Ash’s Wine Country Cuisine and used with permission.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar or honey
- 1/4 cup white wine or water
- 1 tsp. minced red bell pepper
- 1 tsp. minced yellow bell pepper
- 2 tsp. seeded and minced serrano chiles, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbs. minced fresh mint
- 2 medium-sized honeydew, cantaloupe, crane or other ripe melon
- 8 fresh figs, cut into fans
Preparation
1. Combine sugar and wine in saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Add bell peppers and remove from heat. Cool and add chiles, lime juice, mint and peppers. Leftover syrup can be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
2. To serve, cut melons in half and remove seeds. Cut into decorative shapes and arrange attractively on chilled plates. Spoon chile syrup over melons and garnish with fig fans and flower petals, if available.
Wine Suggestions
The fruit with the chile demands a wine with residual sugar, fruity flavors and no oak aging. Complementary Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, Chenin Blancs and Muscats all fall into this category.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 190
- Carbohydrate Content 48 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 0 g
- Fiber Content 4 g
- Protein Content 2 g
- Saturated Fat Content 0 g
- Sodium Content 35 mg
- Sugar Content 0 g