Summer fruit salad

I have made this salad for the first time so I have used both the melons .I was sure of the water melon as a base for filling the fruit salad but wanted to try the musk melon .Since it is soft from inside I had to cut out the melon only half way through and scoop out the inside of the  melon, leaving the edges  to be strong enough to hold the fruit salad in it .It worked out very well and tastes good  too.  Infact you can scrap the inside of the musk melon with a spoon and enjoy with the fruit salad .

Ingredients :
Water melon - 1 ( small size ),
Musk melon -1 ,
Kiwi - 1,
Peach - 1.
Pomegranate - 1/2 ,
Leechi - small bunch,
Mango - 1 ,
Cherries - small bunch .

Cherry coulis or syrup :
Red cherry - 300 gms,
Lemon juice - 1/4 cup,
Orange juice - 1/4 cup,
Sugar -1/2 cup,
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp.

Cherry dressing :
Cherry coulis or syrup - 2 tsp,
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp,
Sweet basil - 6 to 8 cut into ribbons ( if not available use tulsi leaves ),

Salt and pepper a pinch.

Method :
Wash and cut the base of both the melons so that they can stand on their base .

Discard the seeds of musk melon.
Take a sharp knife and run it  round the edges of the musk  melon leaving 1/4 inch at the edges .
Make horizontal and square cuts with your knife but be careful not to pierce the bottom or sides.

Use a spoon to take out and even the bottom .
 Everything you scoop or spoon out can be used in the salad .
Keep in a bowl .
Cover the  melon bowl  with a cling film and put in the fridge as it will take time for you to peel and cut the fruits .
Take the water melon and run your knife round the edges where the white portion starts .
Make horizontal and vertical cuts with your knife and scoop out the juicy melon from it .
Use a spoon to scrap the sides and bottom to make it even .
Cover the bowl  with a cling film and put in the fridge .
Cut all the fruits of your choice and discard the ones which have seeds inside .

Take a bowl and put  all the fruits in it .

Pour the dressing over the fruits and toss it so that the fruits are evenly coated .( keep 1 tsp of dressing for the top .

Taste and see the seasoning and adjust accordingly .

Take out the melon bowls from the fridge and spoon the fruit salad in it .
Wrap  it again and put it back in the fridge till you plan to serve .
Drizzle the cherry couli  dressing over the fruits and then serve .
You can use  the big  size water melons in the same way for large gatherings .
Serves - 4 


Cherry coulis or syrup :
Red cherry - 300 gms  ( stones removed and cut into halves ),
Sugar - 1/2 cup ,
Lemon juice - 1/4 cup ,
Orange juice - 1/4 cup ,
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp .

Method :
Take a pan and put orange juice ,lemon juice ,sugar and vanilla essence and bring to a boil for 5 minutes to reduce the mixture by half .

Keep stirring .
When the mixture is half lower the heat and add the cut cherries .

Keep stirring and let it simmer for another  5 minutes .
Stir regularly to prevent sticking 
Cherries will soften and leave out its juice .

As the liquid thicken close the gas and sieve through a strainer .

Let it cool and then transfer to a clean bottle .
Keep in the fridge .( can be preserved for long )

This syrup can be used for pudding ,icecream ,pancakes or salads.
You can drizzle over anything sweet or use as a base to plate or decorate  your dish .