Charentais Melons With Cassis Gelee Recipes

Steps:

• Mix shallot, pepper, and vinegars in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over 1 tablespoon water in another bowl, and let soften, about 5 minutes.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan until steaming. Stir in gelatin mixture. Pour some of the hot liquid into the bowl that the gelatin was in, swirl around, and pour back into pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until gelatin dissolves. Pour through a sieve into vinegar mixture. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours (or overnight).
• To serve, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon gelee onto each oyster (amount may differ depending on the size of each oyster), and serve with horseradish and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• To prepare: Halve and remove the pips and fibres. Cut a small piece from the bottom of each melon so they sit upright in a bowl.
• Run a knife carefully around the top edge of the melon, as you would prepare a grapefruit. Then cut the flesh in to segments - going as deep as you can without damaging the outer skin - almost like a sunburst pattern - like rays of the sun! Wiggle the knife around to make them quite deep - the liquor will seep into them whilst they are chilling. Place the melon halves in attractive individual serving bowls.
• Pour in the pineau, sherry or port until the centre of the melon is filled - making sure that it is not too full as it will run over. Place the filled melon halves in the fridge for about 4 hours to chill before serving. Place a mint sprig into each melon half to serve.
• To store - Keep uncut melons at room temperature until fully ripened, then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cut melon should always be covered with Clingfilm and used within 3 days.