Melon Cucumber Medley Food

CUCUMBER MELON SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, sugar and pepper. Slice cucumber, then cut into quarters. , In a serving bowl, combine cucumber and melon. Pour dressing over all; toss gently to coat.

CHILLED MELON, CUCUMBER AND MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the melons on a flat surface and split each one in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Use the larger-size scoop on a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. The goal is to tightly pack about 6 generous cups of melon flesh and then hollow the four melon halves out for presentation. Scrape the halves with a spoon to smooth the insides and gather additional flesh (and trap any juices) in a separate bowl until you have 1 heaping cup. Save the melon halves. Refrigerate the melon balls.
• Place the melon scraps and juices in a blender and add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lime zest and juice and honey. Puree until smooth and taste for seasoning. Add more honey, if needed. Add a splash of water if more liquid is needed to make a smooth puree. Refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a generous amount of black pepper. Toss the melon balls with the dressing. Sprinkle the cucumbers and mint over the melon and mix a little. Fill the melon halves.

STRAWBERRY, CUCUMBER AND MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the onion, strawberries, cucumber, cantaloupe and dill in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Let stand until the cucumber is juicy, about 10 minutes.
• Add the spinach and vinaigrette to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
• Whisk 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl. Slowly drizzle in 2/3 cup olive oil, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth. Add more salt and pepper to taste. (Makes about 1 cup.)

MELON-CUCUMBER COOLERS

Steps:

• Combine the melon, cucumber, sugar, lemon juice and 1 cup water in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, using a ladle to push the mixture through.
• Add the vodka and liqueur to the pitcher and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Divide among ice-filled glasses; garnish with cucumber spears.

HONEYDEW MELON, CUCUMBER & LIME JUICE

Steps:

• Take the melon, remove the seeds, then cut the flesh away from the outer skin and chop into chunks. Put the melon, cucumber and lime through your juicer following the manufacturer's instructions. Pour into a tall glass and serve.