Bite with Belkys: Cucumber Melon Soup

The Chef: Daniel Chaviano
The Restaurant: FIU's school of Hospitality and Tourism Management
The Dish: Cucumber-Melon soup with mint green tea

Ingredients for Cucumber-Melon Soup:

2 lb. of honey dew melon, peeled, seeded and diced
3/4 lb. of cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1/2 of a poblano pepper, seeded
1 large garlic clove
1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts
1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup of creme fraiche
sea salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Method of Preparation:

-Begin by pureeing honey dew melon little by little in a blender, and then transfer it to a bowl.

-Next, puree diced cucumber with lemon juice, poblano pepper, garlic and pine nuts. Make sure to season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

-Now, combine the cucumber mix with the melon puree, cover it with Saran wrap and let it cool in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

-In the meantime, chop some fresh cilantro and mix it with creme fraiche. Chef Daniel says creme fraiche is similar to a sour cream. You can purchase it at your local grocery store or make your own. Add a sprinkle of sea salt, and set this to the side.

-In addition, chef Daniel likes to prepare a garnish. He sautés one cup of minced onions with one tablespoon of butter.

Ingredients for Mint Green Tea:

8 green tea bags
1 bunch of mint leaves
honey, to taste
1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Method of Preparation:

-Start by brewing green tea with mint leaves. Once it's ready, strain and sweeten with honey.

-To serve, add ice and a little sweet condensed milk.

Ingredients for homemade creme fraiche:

1 cup of whipping cream
2 Tbs. of buttermilk

Method of Preparation:

-In a glass bowl, mix the whipping cream with buttermilk and cover.

-Then let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least eight hours or until it becomes very think.

-Lastly, stir once more and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

To Plate the Dish:

Pour the soup in a small cup and top it with a dab of the cilantro creme fraiche and sautéed onions.

Serves: 6

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151st St.
North Miami, FL 33181
For reservations, contact Paula Wright (305) 919-4500
http://hospitality.fiu.edu