Melon And Berries Steeped In Red Wine Sauternes Basil And Mint Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Put the cantaloupe and honeydew in a bowl and toss with the basil and mint. Drizzle with the sweetened vinegar and toss lightly. Pile the melon on a platter and sprinkle with the flake salt.

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Tie the basil and mint in a small square of cheesecloth. In a small saucepan, combine the Sauternes, red wine, sugar, vanilla bean, and mint-basil bundle. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat; transfer to the ice bath. Chill until lukewarm. Add the melon, strawberries, and blackberries; transfer to a large bowl. Cover; place in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
• To serve, remove the vanilla bean. Stir in the raspberries. Transfer the mixture to 4 bowls. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons champagne over each, and garnish with currants, if desired, and mint.

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath; set aside. Tie basil and mint in a small square of cheesecloth. In a small saucepan, combine Sauternes, red wine, sugar, vanilla bean, and mint-basil bundle. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; transfer to ice bath. Chill until lukewarm. Add melon, strawberries, and blackberries; transfer to a large bowl. Cover; place in refrigerator 4 to 6 hours.
• To serve, remove vanilla bean. Stir in raspberries. Transfer mixture to four bowls. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons Champagne over each, and garnish with currants, if desired, and mint.

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Add 1/2 cup water and the apple juice to a medium bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften about 5 minutes. Combine wine and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Reserve 8 blackberries for garnish; add remaining blackberries to the saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Slowly stir hot wine mixture into gelatin mixture. Transfer bowl to ice-water bath, and stir gently until cool, about 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a 9-by-5-by-2 1/2-inch nonreactive metal loaf pan. Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 45 minutes, or up to overnight. To unmold, set pan in warm water until gelatin loosens, about 2 seconds; invert onto a cutting board. Use a knife to break seal along edges if necessary. Cut gelatin into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Divide among 4 small bowls. Garnish each with 2 blackberries and mint leaves.

Steps:

• To make the balsamic reduction, put the balsamic, Marsala and red wine in a heavy-based saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until reduced by two-thirds and thickened to the consistency of honey (this will take 2 to 3 hours). Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Put the pistachios and almonds in a small frying pan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously, until lightly brown. Transfer the nuts to a large bowl and allow to cool.
• Put the lime zest and juice in a small bowl and add the olive oil. Whisk well using a fork or whisk.
• Put the tomatoes, cantaloupe, and watermelon in a large bowl. Pour over the lime vinaigrette and toss lightly.
• Arrange the prosciutto or smoked fish (if using) over the top, crumble over the feta, and drizzle with the balsamic reduction. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and garnish with the toasted nuts and basil leaves.

Steps:

• Stir together wine, lemon juice, and sugar (to taste) in a bowl. Stir in strawberries and let macerate at room temperature 1 hour, then chill until cold, up to 1 hour but no longer. (Fruit will become too soft if it steeps for more than 2 hours.)
• Serve berries in small bowls with some of their juices.