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Chilled Melon Jelly Cake

17/11/2023

The Chilled Melon Jelly Cake is a refreshing and colorful dessert, perfect for summer. Here is the recipe to prepare this delight.

Ingredients

  • For the base:

    • 200 g of dry biscuits (Digestive type)
    • 100 g of melted butter

  • For the melon jelly:

    • 500 g of blended and strained melon pulp
    • 100 g of sugar
    • 12 g of gelatin sheets (or fish glue) or an equivalent amount of powdered gelatin
    • Juice of half a lemon

  • For decoration:

    • Melon slices to taste
    • Fresh mint leaves

Preparation

  1. Base preparation:

    • Finely crush the biscuits in a food processor until a fine flour is obtained.
    • Mix the melted butter with the crushed biscuits until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
    • Press the mixture into a springform pan (preferably 22-24 cm in diameter) previously lined with parchment paper, creating an even layer.
    • Refrigerate the base for at least 30 minutes to harden.

  2. Melon jelly preparation:

    • Soak the gelatin in cold water for 10 minutes.
    • In a saucepan, gently heat part of the melon juice with the sugar. It should not boil, but only warm enough to dissolve the sugar and the squeezed gelatin.
    • Remove from heat and add the remaining melon juice and lemon juice. Mix well.
    • Pour the mixture over the cooled biscuit base, then let cool and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

  3. Finishing and decoration:

    • Once the jelly has reached the desired consistency, remove the cake from the pan.
    • Decorate the surface with fresh melon slices and mint leaves for a touch of color and freshness.

Curiosities

The Melon Jelly Cake is a variation of the traditional melon jelly, a dessert typical of Sicilian cuisine. In Sicily, the jelly is often prepared in individual cups and served as a refreshing end to the meal. This cake is a modern reinterpretation that preserves the flavors while transforming it into a dessert to share with company.

If desired, you can also add a splash of melon liqueur to further flavor the jelly, or use chopped nuts on the biscuit base for an extra crunchy note.