Strawberry Melon Ginger Sundaes Food

LEMON AND STRAWBERRY SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan and line the bottom and sides with a strip of parchment paper.
• Add the butter, ricotta and sugar to a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a hand-held mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the ingredients together with a rubber spatula until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool for 1 hour.
• For the assembly: Meanwhile, combine the berries, salt and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Toss well with a fork to combine, mashing the berries slightly with the back of the fork. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla extract and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
• Dice 6 slices of lemon loaf, then divide evenly among 6 bowls or glasses. Top each serving with some of the strawberry sauce, followed by a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

WATERMELON-STRAWBERRY SANGRIA

Steps:

• Combine the watermelon and strawberries in a blender and blend until smooth; add a splash of the vodka if needed to get the fruit pureed.
• Strain into a large pitcher; you will need about 4 cups total juice. Add the rose, vodka, orange juice and liqueur and stir to combine. Add the orange and lime slices, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Just before serving, add the reserved strawberries. Serve in glasses over ice.

WATERMELON SUNDAES

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the watermelon, honey and cinnamon; cover and process until chunky. Serve over ice cream.

TRAMPOLINE FRAPPé

Steps:

• Blend 2 cups strawberries, leaves removed, halved, and 1 cup water in a blender on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and reducing heat to low if mixture bubbles, about 7 minutes. (Rinse out and reserve blender.)
• Add 10 basil leaves to saucepan and continue to cook, stirring, about 4 minutes more. Remove from heat and let sit 15 minutes.
• Strain strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids with a spoon-you should get 1½-2 cups. Return to blender along with an equal measure 1½-2 cups sugar. Blend until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute-mixture should not taste gritty. Transfer to a resealable container and chill until ready to use. Do ahead: Syrup can be made 3 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.
• Fill a large frappé or pilsner glass with crushed, cracked, or pebble ice. Combine 3 oz. fresh pineapple juice, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1¼ oz. Strawberry-Basil syrup, and 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters (if using) in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake until just mixed, about 5 seconds.
• Strain into prepared glass and add 2 oz. chilled seltzer. Top off with crushed, cracked, or pebble ice. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with a strawberry half and basil leaf (if using). You can dash bitters on these too!

STRAWBERRY MELON FIZZ

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water and mint; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; allow to cool completely. Discard mint. , Combine strawberries and melon. Just before serving, fill tall glasses with fruit and drizzle each with 1 tablespoon syrup. Add ginger ale to each glass.