Melon Melba Bowls Food

SHARK AND WAVES GIANT WATERMELON BOWL

Steps:

• Using a large chef's knife, cut both watermelons in half lengthwise through the stem. With a melon half flesh side up, cut vertical lines into the flesh (leaving rind intact) 1 inch apart and about 2 inches deep along the length of each half, leaving a 1-inch border of flesh on both ends. Repeat this process with the lines going in the opposite direction. Use a spoon to scoop out the watermelon pieces into a large bowl (it's okay if some of the spears break in half as you are doing this.) Repeat with the remaining melon halves. Use the spoon to remove as much of the flesh left in the watermelon halves as possible and save for another use.
• Cut 1 1/2 inches off both ends of 2 of the watermelon halves (these halves will become the middle parts of the bowl). Cut 1 1/2 inches off one end of the 2 remaining halves (these will become the bookends of your bowl). Use the flesh left in the watermelon ends to stamp out sharks with a 3-inch shark cookie cutter and set aside.
• Use a metal skewer to outline waves along the top edge of each watermelon half. Then carefully cut out the wave pattern using a sharp paring knife. Take one middle piece and one bookend piece and place the flat sides together to create half of the large bowl. Thread the metal skewer through the bottom of the watermelons to secure them together. Repeat this process with the remaining watermelon halves and another metal skewer to create the other half of the large bowl. Place both halves on a large platter with the two middle pieces pushed together (these parts do not need to be secured with a skewer as they will stay together on the platter).
• Fill the assembled watermelon bowl with the reserved watermelon chunks. Mix the berries and grapes together and scatter on top of the watermelon, covering it as much as possible, then add the melon sharks.

MELON BOWLS WITH FRUIT SORBET

Steps:

• Trim a 1/2-inch from each end of both cantaloupes, then half the cantaloupe right down the middle. Scoop out all the seeds and discard.
• Set the melons on a sheet pan and sprinkle the inside with the lime juice. Fill the melon bowls with the fruit sorbet when you are ready to serve.

CANTALOUPE MELBA

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, whirl raspberries until pureed.
• Pour through a sieve to remove seeds.
• Stir sugar and liqueur (if used) into puree and mix well; cover and chill.
• Halve cantaloupes and remove seeds; peel and cut into thin slices.
• Line each of 8 small dessert bowls or goblets with 3 or 4 melon slices.
• Top melon with a scoop of sherbet and pour 2 tablespoons chilled raspberry sauce over sherbet.
• Raspberry sherbet in goblets lined with sliced cantaloupe and topped with Melba sauce would make a memorable finale for a menu featuring an egg and cheese dish.