Melon Gazpacho With Ham Crostini Food

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED CROSTINI WITH MELON SALSA CRUDO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the loaf of bread in half crosswise, then cut each half lengthwise into 1-inch thick slices. Lay the slices in a single layer on baking sheets. Generously drizzle the top side of each slice with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the slices. Cook in the oven until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
• Marinate the onions in the vinegar for 5 minutes. While the onion is marinating, peel, seed and dice the melon and place in a bowl. Add the diced melon to the onions, season with salt and stir to blend together. Add the minced parsley and stir to combine.
• Wrap the end of each crostini with a piece of prosciutto. Arrange on a platter and spoon a tablespoon of melon salsa on each and serve. Serve remaining salsa on the side.

HONEYDEW MELON GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Roughly chop the melon and add to the bowl of a food processor, reserving some for garnish. Chop the cucumber and halve the grapes and add to the food processor. Top with the spinach, basil, scallions and serrano. Splash in the olive oil, champagne vinegar, lime juice and honey. Process until the ingredients are combined, about 1 minute. Add half the avocado and process again until the avocado has been completely incorporated, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper and thin with ice water if necessary to reach desired consistency.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• To serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the diced honeydew, sliced avocado, and cilantro leaves. Serve with wedges of lime on the side.

BLT CROSTINI

Steps:

• 1. Soak four 6-inch bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes and preheat grill to medium.
• 2. Cut escarole lengthwise, through core, into 4 wedges. Season with salt and pepper. Wrap each wedge tightly with 2 slices of bacon; secure with skewers and brush with 1/4 cup olive oil. Place bundles skewered side down and covered with a disposable aluminum pan on grill. Cook, turning occasionally until bacon is crisp, about 12 minutes.
• 3. Lightly brush bread with additional olive oil, season with salt and black pepper to taste and char on grill, about 1 minute per side. Remove and rub bread with cut side of tomato halves until toasts are saturated with tomato's juices.
• 4. Top each crostini with an escarole bundle and serve with a lemon wedge.

TOMATO-MELON GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Core, peel and seed tomatoes; cut flesh into 1-inch chunks. Seed melon, and remove flesh from rind; cut into chunks. Place a tablespoon of olive oil in each of two 10- or 12-inch skillets and turn heat under both to high. Add melon to one and tomatoes to the other, and cook, stirring, until they become juicy, no longer than 2 minutes.
• In a blender or food processor, puree melon with tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and basil, along with some salt and pepper. Stir in remaining olive oil. Chill, add lemon juice to taste and adjust seasoning. Serve.