Condensed Watermelon w/ Basil Oil & Pepper

Ingredients

  • watermelon, cut into a block and condensed through a food vacuum

For Basil Oil

  • fresh basil leaves
  • olive oil
  • simple syrup (1:1 mix of sugar dissolved in water)

Watermelon Sorbet

  • pureed watermelon
  • sugar to taste

Garnish

  • fried basil leaf
  • watermelon sorbet
  • chocolate swizzle

Special Equipment

  • food vacuum sealer w/ sealer bags

How-to

Make Watermelon Sorbet

  1. In a blender, puree fresh watermelon and sugar (to taste) and freeze

Prepare Condensed Watermelon

  1. Slice fresh watermelon into a block shape and place in the bottom of a plastic sealer bag
  2. Place in vacuum sealer to extract liquid

Make Basil Oil

  1. Add fresh basil leaves to boiling water for 10-20 seconds
  2. Remove basil from boiling water and place into ice water.  When basil is cold, strain water and place basil into a blender
  3. Slowly add olive oil and blend for a few minutes
  4. Add simple syrup to taste

Make Fried Basil Leaf Garnish

  1. Carefully add a sprig of fresh basil into a pot of hot oil for 30 seconds, turning once. Place on paper towel to dry

Assemble

  1. Slice watermelon into desired pieces and arrange on a plate
  2. Drizzle with basil oil
  3. Garnish with watermelon sorbet and a chocolate swizzle