V137: Recipes for Style – Sake-dressed Cantaloupe & Watermelon, Fennel, Frisee Salad

Sake-dressed Cantaloupe & Watermelon, Fennel, Frisee Salad with Serrano Ham

by Rosemary Howe, Barraud Caterers

Yield: 4 – 6 appetizer portions or 50 hors d’oeuvre portions

Ingredients:
2 cups peeled, seeded, diced canteloupe melon
2 cups peeled, seeded, diced water melon
3 cups finely sliced fennel
1 cup good quality sake
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup crème fraiche
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
½ pound finely sliced Serrano ham
2 cups small frisee sprigs
1 cup chives finely cut

Directions:

1. For the dressing, combine sake, lime juice and sugar.
2. For the lemon mayonnaise, combine mayonnaise, crème fraiche, lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
3. To serve, dollop a good teaspoon of mayonnaise on the bottom plate.
4. Combine the melons and fennel and toss with the sake dressing, then place on top of the mayonnaise. Arrange Serrano ham on top and sprinkle with frisee sprigs and chives.