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
- In a blender, puree fresh watermelon and sugar (to taste) and freeze
Prepare Condensed Watermelon
- Slice fresh watermelon into a block shape and place in the bottom of a plastic sealer bag
- Place in vacuum sealer to extract liquid
Make Basil Oil
- Add fresh basil leaves to boiling water for 10-20 seconds
- Remove basil from boiling water and place into ice water. When basil is cold, strain water and place basil into a blender
- Slowly add olive oil and blend for a few minutes
- Add simple syrup to taste
Make Fried Basil Leaf Garnish
- 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
- Slice watermelon into desired pieces and arrange on a plate
- Drizzle with basil oil
- Garnish with watermelon sorbet and a chocolate swizzle