Port Wine Drunken Melon With Spanish Cheeses Food

MELON WITH PORT

Steps:

• Pour 3 tablespoons port into center of each melon half. Garnish with mint, and serve with chocolate batons.

RAVIOLI WITH POTATO, WATERCRESS, AND CHEESES

Steps:

• Wash and peel the potatoes, put them into well-salted, boiling water with the garlic and cook until the potatoes are just tender (it is very important not to under- or overcook them). Drain them and let them sit for about 5 minutes to enable the excess water to evaporate (if you overcook them or don't drain them correctly they'll be too moist and your filling will be too wet).
• When the potatoes have cooled slightly add your butter and your chosen cheeses. Stir and mash with a fork to mix and break the potatoes up (I like to leave the mixture slightly chunky). Add the nutmeg and seasoning to taste. Stir in the watercress, half finely chopped and the rest coarsely chopped. Stuff the ravioli with a good heaped teaspoon of this mixture and cook in boiling salted water for about 3-4 minutes, until tender.
• Serve with some extra olive oil or butter, some more of your chosen cheese grated over the top and some torn watercress.

POACHED RED PEARS IN PORT WINE

Steps:

• Peel and core the pears. Place them in a saucepot with anise and Port wine. Bring to a boil and cook until the alcohol is burned off - be careful as the mixture may ignite. Once alcohol is burned off, drop heat to a simmer and add in the pears, making sure they are fully submerged. Pears should simmer for at least 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the pears once they are tender. Return the port to a simmer and cook until reduced by 3/4 and syrupy.
• In a small saucepan, place ginger root and 4 to 5 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until sugar caramelizes. Remove from the heat and place on a parchment lined sheet pan to cool.
• Melt chocolate over a double-boiler.
• Whip cream to stiff peaks. Sweeten with powdered sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Set aside to chill.
• Use the reduced wine as a sauce or garnish. Once pears are done and tender, place on plate. Fill with chocolate and top with whipped cream. Garnish with candied ginger and drizzle with reduced wine. Serve warm.

FETTUCCINE WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in 1/2. In a large mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper and olive oil with the tomatoes and massage them lightly with your hands. Boil 1 gallon of water in a large pot, and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the fettuccine, and cook to al dente. Drain well. Next, add the hot cooked pasta on top of the tomatoes in the bowl, then add Parmigiano and pecorino. Toss gently until the cheeses melt evenly around pasta. Add smoked mozzarella and toss. Add fresh basil and toss.

MELON WITH PORT WINE

Steps:

• Cut cantaloupe in half and scoop out seeds.
• Pour ½ cup port into each melon half.
• Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours. Decorate with mint leaves and serve ice cold.