Melons & Mascarpone
Recipe Blog Post
Ingredients
(* indicates my preferred ingredients – see notes for alternatives)
1 cup mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons Runamok Maple Syrup * (more to your preferred level of sweetness)
1 teaspoon O&V Melipone Vanilla *
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (if needed)
8 cups chopped cantaloupe melon (or a combination of cantaloupe and honeydew)
1-2 tablespoons sugar (optional based on the sweetness level of the fruit)
4 tablespoons O&V Lime & Ginger vinegar * (reduced by half))
1/3 cup chopped salted pistachio nuts
Zest from one lime
Crushed O&V Amaretti cookies for garnish *
Preparation
In a small bowl combine the mascarpone cheese, honey or maple syrup, Melipone vanilla until smooth. Create a nice spreadable, creamy consistency by adding a tablespoon or two of cream if needed.
Reduce the vinegar by half till sticky and thick.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped melon with the sugar (if using) and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes. Skip this step if your fruit is sweet enough and doesn’t need the added sugar
Spread the mascarpone cheese over a platter and top with the melon. Sprinkle the top with the pistachio nuts, lime zest and crushed amaretti cookies. Drizzle with the reduced vinegar.
Serve immediately (see Chef Note).
Serves 8
Active time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes
Chef Note
If you wish to pre-make this dessert, prepare each component and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Compile the dessert and add the pistachios, lime zest, amaretti cookie crumble and vinegar drizzle just before serving to prevent them turning soggy.
Notes
* I love the flavor of the Lime & Ginger vinegar but you can replace with the Lemon Vinegar, Honey Ginger vinegar, or even Elderflower Apple Lime vinegar. At a pinch this can be made with lime juice, but it loses the subtle flavors of the vinegar and makes the dish one-dimensional.
The Runamok SugarMakers Cut Maple Syrup and Melipone Vanilla add tremendous flavor. Feel free to use a local honey and a good quality vanilla instead.
I love the crunchy sweetness of the Amaretti cookies, but any other sweet crumbly cookie will be suitable.
All highlighted products are available at Oil & Vinegar stores.
Categories: Dessert, Soups & Salads, Fruit Salad, Melon and Mascarpone, Lemon Curd, Lime & Ginger Vinegar, Honey Ginger Vinegar, Elderflower Apple Lime Vinegar, Runamok Maple Syrup, Melipone Vanilla, Amaretti Cookies, Mixed Fruit Dessert, Creamy Fruit Salad, Pistachio Nuts,
