Chilled Prosecco-Melon Soup
This elegant soup, which is perfect to serve at a weekend brunch, is bright, pretty, and refreshing. And, nothing draws oohs and ahs like something bubbly. The soup can be prepared in advance, but to retain effervescence, add the sparkling spirit just before serving. As you savor its brilliance, remember Dom Pèrignon’s comment at the moment of his discovery of Champagne: "Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"
2 cups coarsely chopped cantaloupe (see Tip)
2 cups coarsely chopped honeydew melon
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
¾ cup Prosecco, sparkling Moscato, or other semi-sweet sparkling white wine
Sweetened whipped cream and lime zest for garnish
Purèe the cantaloupe, honeydew, orange juice, lime juice, and honey in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate in a covered container until chilled, at least 3 hours, before serving.
Just before serving, stir in the wine. Taste and adjust the sweetening.
Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with lime zest.
Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration. 






