Melon Gazpacho
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ½ t. kosher salt
- 1 plum tomato, peeled, halved, seeds removed
- 3 cups 1” pieces chilled melon (about 1 pound)
- 2 cups 1” pieces chilled peeled cucumber
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 red Thai chile or Serrano pepper, thinly sliced
- kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
- mint for garnish
Instructions
- Bring basil leaves, cloves, star anise, bay leaf, sugar, salt and 1 ½ cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes; strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a medium size bowl. Set aside and cool completely.
- Puree basil syrup, tomato, melon, cucumber, lime juice, and chile in a blender until very smooth. Taste and adjust, re-seasoning as necessary.
- Divide gazpacho among bowls. Garnish with mint if desired.
Marcel's Culinary Experience https://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com/