Prosciutto Melone different???

[cramorra]

A typical Italian starter is some chilled melon (honey or guadelupe), covered with freshly carved prosciutto and ground pepper on top
As I am hosting a dinner party nect week (assuming still hot) it would be nice to have a summery starter- although this seems a bit to 80s for me
Was in a nice restaurant recently where they served cold melon soup with grissini and parma ham, another idea I had was using some meol granita
Does anybody on here have ideas experience with a combination like that???
Cheers

[Pferdestarke]

Don't do a melon/parma ham starter. Like you say, very 80's and a bit naff in my opinion.

Why not stick with parma ham but buy some really good figs, some pecorino or parmesan, do some great home-made croutons, and some rocket. Serve it all on a large platter with some good extra virgin and balsmaic drizzled over with some good bread to 'mop' the plates afterwards. You could also add some chargrilled aubergine for good measure.

If you serve it at room temperature too the fat on the ham would be good and melting.

If you don't like figs why not use more croutons and some sun-blushed or oven-dried tomatoes?

Waitrose do a fantastic bottle of 15yr old balsamic for about £12 which you can drink as an aperatif it's that good.

HTH

[escargot]

Pferdestarke said:

Don't do a melon/parma ham starter. Like you say, very 80's and a bit naff in my opinion.

Food as fashion?


It tastes good. Who gives a st?

[Nefarious]

I quite often use cold meat starters (inc. sometimes palma ham and melon) to take the pressure off if I've got a labour intensive main course.

Some vaiations on a theme:
Proscutto, figs, mozzerella and fresh basil leaves
Proscutto, sun-dried tomatoes, rocket, soft-boiled quails eggs, chilli vinegrette
Breseola (cured beef), rocket with an apple, celery and radish dressing

[Pferdestarke]

escargot said:

Pferdestarke said:

Don't do a melon/parma ham starter. Like you say, very 80's and a bit naff in my opinion.

Food as fashion?


It tastes good. Who gives a st?

Oh, not me and yes, it tastes okay but for a little extra effort he could produce something that is even tastier. Food has evolved and so have our palates but if you want to remain in the Berni Inn Brigade then that's up to you.

Jelly and Ice Cream anyone?

[escargot]

Pferdestarke said:

escargot said:

Pferdestarke said:

Don't do a melon/parma ham starter. Like you say, very 80's and a bit naff in my opinion.

Food as fashion?


It tastes good. Who gives a st?

Oh, not me and yes, it tastes okay but for a little extra effort he could produce something that is even tastier. Food has evolved and so have our palates but if you want to remain in the Berni Inn Brigade then that's up to you.

Jelly and Ice Cream anyone?

For fks sake, what's wrong with Jelly & Ice Cream?

You'll be moaning about Prawn cocktail next.

[sleep envy]

wrap the ham around asparagus which has been lightly griddled and serve with a balsamic vinegar

[cramorra]

Good ideas, keep posting
I am not against classics, and if my dad would turnup, i#d make a prawn coctail because I know he just loves it, however sometimes you want to do something different, and the cold melon soup I had tasted great- also personally I oq prefer the ham with figs - or asparagus (alas season for this is over...)
Thanks for all your contributions

[Pferdestarke]

cramorra said:

Good ideas, keep posting
I am not against classics, and if my dad would turnup, i#d make a prawn coctail because I know he just loves it, however sometimes you want to do something different, and the cold melon soup I had tasted great- also personally I oq prefer the ham with figs - or asparagus (alas season for this is over...)
Thanks for all your contributions

Says cramorra after 6 pints!

[cramorra]

that's just my dyslexia, after 6 pints i'll be ...