Two-Melon Terrine
- 250 grams water
- 7.5 grams low-methoxyl pectin (we use 18CG from Le Sanctuaire; see Sources, page 309)
- 1 cantaloupe
- 1 honeydew melon
- 2 grams fine sea salt
- Calcium lactate (see Sources, page 309)
- Put the water in a small pot over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Pour the hot water into a blender and carefully turn the blender on low.
- Increase the speed until a vortex forms; then slowly sprinkle the pectin into the water.
- Make sure the lid is secure and increase the speed.
- Blend for 5 minutes.
- Pour into a small bowl and reserve until needed.
- Skim off and discard any foam that may collect on the surface.
- Cut the top and bottom off of each melon.
- Stand them on end and carefully cut away the exterior skin and rind from top to bottom.
- Cut into quarters and scrape the seeds and juices into a small bowl.
- Trim each melon quarter into as thick a plank as possible with flat sides.
- Place all the melon trimmings in the bowl with the seeds; set the bowl aside.
- Season the planks lightly with salt.
- Put each melon plank into separate vacuum-seal bags and seal on high pressure.
- This process will weaken the cell walls and allow for the calcium to penetrate the fruit.
- Put the melon seeds, juices, and trimmings in a blender and turn on low to begin breaking up the flesh.
- Increase the speed to medium so that the juices are released and the seeds remain intact.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pushing on the solids to extract the juice.
- Weigh this liquid and calculate 0.5 percent of its weight.
- Weigh out that amount of calcium lactate.
- Put the juices into a clean blender and add the calcium.
- Turn the blender on medium speed and blend for 2 minutes to disperse and dissolve the calcium.
- Turn off the blender and reserve the juice.
- Cut open the vacuum bags and divide the melon between two new vacuum bags.
- Add the calcium-enriched melon juice and vacuum seal the bags.
- You may not need all the juice.
- Let the melon infuse for 5 minutes.
- Cut open the bags and remove the melon planks.
- Pat them dry and lay them out in a row.
- Use a pastry brush to apply the pectin to the honeydew planks and then place a cantaloupe plank on top of each.
- Place the stacked melon planks in vacuum bags and seal on high pressure.
- The vacuum sealing will apply a uniform pressure on the melons and keep them together so they will glue tightly.
- Place the bags in the refrigerator for several hours or ideally overnight.
- Once the melon has had time to set, cut open the bags, remove the melon, and trim the planks to make clean, sharp edges.
- At this point you will have four rectangles of two-melon terrine.
- The terrine may be diced or sliced and even gently warmed in the oven or on a grill before serving.
water, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, salt, lactate
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/two-melon-terrine-374197 (may not work)