Cucumber Lychee Gazpacho With Feta Crostini Recipes

Steps:

• Pound the lemongrass stalk with the back of a knife to break the cell walls. Cut the stalk in half or thirds lengthwise to fit comfortably in a small saucepan.
• Bring a small saucepan with a little over 2 cups water to a simmer, and add the lemongrass. Remove it from the heat and allow it to steep, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and chill the lemongrass water completely. Discard the lemongrass solids.
• In a blender, combine the coconut water, lychees, lemongrass water and salt and let it go until the concoction is smooth; depending on how large your blender is, you might have to do this in batches. Taste for seasoning, chill and serve; you can strain it if you don't like pulp.

Steps:

• Make the Gazpacho: In small batches, mix all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Pay attention to the consistency. You may have to add more water, as the water content in the ingredients may vary. Strain and chill.
• Make the Lobster and Dressing: Fill a large pot with water and add plenty of salt. Bring to a boil and add lobsters. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from water, drain and chill.
• Once the lobsters are cool, take off the head and remove the coral and liquid. Pass the coral through a chinois or fine-mesh sieve. Set aside the resulting liquid for use in the dressing. Peel the lobster tails and cut each tail into 6 medallions. Carefully crack the claws and remove the meat. The idea here is to keep the claw meat whole. Split the claw meat in half lengthwise. Refrigerate the lobster meat until needed.
• In a bowl, whisk together the reserved coral, vinegar, and oil until smooth and blended. Season with salt, to taste. Set aside.
• Make the Garnish: Cut the ends off the tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise. Peel back the skin and flesh to expose the seeds. Remove the seeds, taking care to keep the mass of seeds whole. The point here is to remove the tomato seeds and their surrounding gel intact. Set aside. (Reserve the tomato flesh for another use.)
• Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Sprinkle the cucumber generously with salt and let sit for an hour, in a colander in the sink. (The salt will cause the cucumber to release water.) Rinse the cucumber and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the cucumber into a tiny dice.
• In a bowl, combine the cucumber, peppers, and shallot. Set aside.
• Pour the oil for frying into a large saucepan to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil reads 375 degrees F. Fry the bread cubes until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• To Serve: Pour the chilled gazpacho into a pitcher.
• In the center of each bowl, place 2 medallions and 1 claw half of lobster, and 1 tomato seed "filet." Arrange the some of cucumber mixture around the edge of the bowl, sprinkle with chives, and top with 4 croutons. Drizzle the dressing around the lobster, and drizzle the lobster with some of the extra-virgin olive oil. Finally, sprinkle everything lightly with the fleur de sel. At the table, set the bowls in front of your guests and pour some of the gazpacho into each.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the bread slices on a large baking sheet and brush with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Put the cream cheese, goat cheese, heavy cream, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
• Add the coarsely ground peppercorns, cacao nibs and thyme leaves. Pulse until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Smear a spoonful of the cheese mixture on each crostini. Top with some sliced and wedged figs, then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with a few thyme leaves and some salt.

Steps:

• Reserve 2 tablespoons of the mint. Place the remaining mint in a large bowl along with the cucumbers, 2 cups watermelon, yogurt, onion, cilantro, lemon juice, ginger, cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoon salt. In small batches, puree in a food processor until smooth. Place in a pitcher or large bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Taste the gazpacho before serving and season with additional salt if needed. Divide the soup among 6 chilled bowls and top with the feta, toasted pepitas, remaining watermelon, reserved mint and a drizzle of chili infused oil.

Steps:

• Make ginger simple syrup by combining ginger, and 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool. Peel cucumbers and cut half of 1 into thin slices. Puree the remaining 1 1/2 cucumbers in a blender. In a shaker, combine sake, pureed cucumber, ginger simple syrup and lychee juice. Shake to combine and serve in ice filled glasses garnished with lychee fruit.

Steps:

• Thinly slice one of the cucumbers to equal 1/3 cup. Transfer cucumber slices to a small bowl; cover and chill until ready to use.
• Coarsely chop remaining cucumbers and transfer to a blender. Add honeydew, bread cubes, 1/4 cup oil, vinegar, and 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt. Process on low speed, gradually increasing speed to high, until cucumber mixture is very smooth and creamy, about 90 seconds.
• Pour gazpacho into a medium bowl. Cover and chill until cold, about 1 hour.
• Right before serving, toss together reserved cucumber slices, feta cheese, mint, honey, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
• Stir and ladle gazpacho into 4 shallow bowls. Top evenly with cucumber-feta mixture and drizzle with olive oil.