Melon-and-Strawberry Salad with Spicy Lemongrass Syrup

Serves: 6 

Total Time: 45 min

Cook Time: 8 min

Ingredients

• 2 plump lemongrass stalks, bruised and coarsely chopped
• 2 fresh hot red chiles, quartered lengthwise
• Finely grated zest of 1 lime
• 1 cup(s) sugar
• 1 pound(s) strawberries, halved or quartered if large
• 1 pound(s) yellow- or white-fleshed melon such as Canary or Crenshaw, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoon(s) slivered mint leaves
• 2 teaspoon(s) minced crystallized ginger
• 1/2 cup(s) crème fraîche

Directions

1. Set a medium bowl in a large bowl filled with ice. In a medium saucepan, combine the lemongrass, chiles, lime zest, and sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to the ice water bath and let chill for 15 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, toss the strawberries with the melon and mint. Strain the cooled lemongrass syrup over the fruit and toss gently. Refrigerate just until slightly chilled.
3. In a bowl, stir the ginger into the crème fraîche. Spoon the fruit salad into bowls, top with a dollop of the ginger cream, and serve.