Prosciutto With Fresh Fruit Food

PROSCIUTTO WITH FRESH FRUIT

Steps:

• Cut the fruit into the desired size. Squeeze the halved citrus over all the fruit. Crack freshly ground pepper over it, if desired. Place a piece on each plate and lay the prosciutto over each piece of fruit, cutting to size if necessary. Serve a wedge of citrus on the side.

BROCHETTES OF MELON, PROSCIUTTO, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Using on/off turns, puree olive oil, 1/3 cup basil, and shallot in processor until basil and shallot are finely chopped.
• Cut each cantaloupe wedge crosswise in half. If using large mozzarella ball, trim and cut into 6 cubes. Alternate 1 melon piece, 1 piece ruffled prosciutto, 1 mozzarella ball or cube, 1 more prosciutto piece, and 1 more melon piece on each skewer. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature 15 minutes before serving.)
• Arrange skewers on platter. Drizzle with basil oil and sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Garnish with basil sprigs.
• *Available at Italian markets, cheese shops, and some supermarkets.

SUMMER FRESH PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook angel hair pasta at a boil until tender but still slightly firm, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water for later use. Transfer the drained pasta to a large serving bowl.
• Place tomatoes in a bowl; season with sea salt and black pepper.
• Pour 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil over the tomato mixture and gently toss; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
• Cook and stir sliced shallot in the hot oil until just becoming translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir garlic into the shallot; continue cooking and stirring 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from heat.
• Assemble the dish by adding the tomato mixture, the shallot and garlic mixture, and the prosciutto to the pasta; toss to combine. Use the reserved water from cooking the pasta to make it easier to mix.
• Top the pasta dish with basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to serve.

FRUIT & PROSCIUTTO APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon/lime juice on the fruit.
• Wrap each fruit piece with a strip of prosciutto.
• Arrange on a platter with grape clusters and slices of orange.

FRUIT AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Using a large chef's knife, cut the melon in half. With a wooden spoon, remove the melon seeds from each half and discard. Cut each melon half into eight equal pieces. With a paring knife, remove the rind from each slice. Set aside.
• Hold the mango upright on a cutting surface. Using a chef's knife, cut away the flesh on both sides of the pit. Carefully peel each mango half. Cut each half widthwise into eight equal pieces. Set aside.
• Using a cool, damp cloth, gently wipe the fuzz away from each peach. With a paring knife, cut each peach in half lengthwise, and remove the pit. Cut each peach half into four equal slices. Set aside.
• Divide the fruits equally among four plates. Season with salt. Top each plate with two pieces of prosciutto, covering the fruit. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro and a wedge of lime. Serve immediately.