Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Cold Melon-Berry Soup

If you're like me, you simply cannot get enough of all those sweet juicy melons that are in season right now.  I have no problems eating melon as is, but this cold melon-berry soup is certainly a beautiful alternative.  Sweet, colorful, and inviting this soup would be wonderful served as part of a breakfast or brunch menu.  We absolutely loved it!

Cold Melon-Berry Soup
Adapted from Around My French Table
Serves 4

1 dead-ripe cantaloupe (about 2-1/2 pounds)
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1-1/2 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup sweetish white wine, such as Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (optional)
About 20 small strawberries
4 mint sprigs

Cut the cantaloupe in half and scoop out the seeds.  Using a melon baller or a small spoon, cut balls from one of the melon halves.  Put them in a bowl, cover, and chill for at least 2 hours, or for up to 6 hours.

Meanwhile, peel the other half of the melon, cut it into chunks, and toss the chunks into a blender or food processor.  Process, scraping down the container often, until the melon is reduced to a juice.  Add the ginger, 1-1/2 tablespoons lime juice, and the salt.  Taste and, if you think it needs it, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of lime juice.  Pour the soup into a pitcher and chill for at least 2 hours, or for up to 6 hours.

At serving time, divide the soup among four widemouthed glasses (or four small bowls) and top each portion with a tablespoon of wine, if you're using it.  Spoon in the melon balls (depending on the size of your glass and the size of the melon balls, you may have some left over; you want the fruit to come about halfway up the sides of the glass, so you have room to spoon out the fruit and the soup), top with the berries, and finish each with a spring of mint.
July's Recipes
I'm also linking this to Deb @ Kahakai Kitchen for her Souper Sundays roundup.

14 comments:

  1. I've been SO wanting to make a sweet berry-full soup recently and this looks perfect. Leave it to Dorie to have the ideal recipe!

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  2. Just stepped outside to a heat index of 110. I think I could swim in this soup right now!

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  3. Kim this sounds delicious...I've made a very similar soup with peaches.

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  4. It looks very cool and refreshing...great for the heat!

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  5. Looks like a perfect light summer dish!

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  6. i sooo want a bowl of this right now, how delicious!!

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  7. This looks like the perfect summer soup!

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  8. Love this soup Kim. You know I'm a melon fan. This is perfect for the summertime heat. Your garnishes are so pretty.
    Sam

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  9. I agree...I'm loving the melons right now. And fruit soups! I've never made one with cantaloupe, Kim. This looks fabulous!

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  10. Do you know I've never tried a cold soup before. I'm a huge fan of cantaloupes so would just love this. It sounds so refreshing!

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  11. This sounds fantastic and what a great way to use summer fruits:)

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  12. Such a pretty soup! I made a cantaloupe soup last year and I think I need to do it again--melon lends itself so well to cold soups.

    Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays. ;-)

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  13. Lovely! That would be so wonderful for brunch.

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  14. I actually *just* had my first cold soup experience not too long ago. I wasn't sure what to expect since I love my soup piping hot and salty, but this was such a nice surprise! I think I'll definitely be giving this recipe a try - thanks for sharing. :)

    @}----Rosie

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