Macerated Melon Recipes

Steps:

• Combine your ingredients of choice in a medium bowl and toss together until the fruit is evenly coated. For inspiration, try some of my favorite fruit, herb and spice combinations, such as Peach and Ginger, Blackberry and Mint, Cherry and Cinnamon and Strawberry and Vanilla.
• Cover the bowl with reusable or regular plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring about halfway through and gently pressing the fruit with a rubber spatula until the liquid completely covers the fruit.
• After the 24 hours, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, gently pressing on the fruit with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve both the fruit and the liquid. Discard any other solids, such as herb sprigs, whole spices or aromatics.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated fruit: Serve immediately on top of yogurt with granola, or desserts, such as grilled pound cake or ice cream. You can also muddle the fruit into cocktails or add it to sangria. The fruit can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw before serving.
• The macerated liquid can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, cover with reusable or regular plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. You can use a small offset spatula to help remove individual cubes from the tray, then thaw the macerated liquid as needed.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated liquid:
• Homemade soda: For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup macerated liquid in a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit shrub: For the shrub base, combine 1 part macerated liquid with 1 part apple cider vinegar (for example, 1/2 cup of each). Mix to evenly combine. For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup of the shrub base into a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit vinaigrette: Turn your shrub base (see above) into a vinaigrette. Whisk 1 part shrub base with 1 part neutral oil (such as canola, grapeseed or vegetable oil; for example, 1/4 cup of each) in a bowl until emulsified. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Fruit syrup: Bring the macerated liquid to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half and thickened to the consistency of maple syrup-it should coat the back of a spoon without running off very quickly. Let the syrup cool completely, then serve over ice cream, pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt and granola. The syrup also makes for a great gift when poured into a jar. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• Arrange melon in a shallow dish. In a bowl combine Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and 5 tablespoons of the sugar. Pour over melon and chill for 24 hours. Drain.
• Prepare the pastry: In a bowl combine flour and 1 tablespoon of sugar with salt. Add butter and blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. In another bowl whisk together the egg and milk. Add flour mixture and stir until mixture forms a soft dough. Chill, covered, 2 hours.
• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the dough into a 1/8-inch thick round on a floured surface. Place the dough onto a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Prick the pastry shell all over with a fork and cover with a sheet of buttered wax paper. Fill the shell with dried beans, and place in the pre-heated oven for 8 minutes. Remove the beans, prick again with a fork, and bake for another 10 minutes or so, or until the tart is golden brown. Remove and let cool.
• Prepare the apricot glaze: In a small, heavy saucepan, combing the apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Strain.
• To assemble: Brush a thin layer of the hot apricot glaze over the bottom of the tart shell. Then place a thin layer of pastry cream (you might have a bit left over). Arrange the melon slices over the pastry cream. Warm the remaining apricot glaze and brush over the melon slices. Let the tart rest for at least 15 minutes.
• Garnish the center of the tart with mint leaves. Include a mint leaf with each serving. If desired, serve a chilled glass of the melon marinade with the tart.