Skewers of Melon, Jamón, and Mini Mozzarella

This recipe is such a fun, easy, elegant, and (of course) tasty beginning to a romantic meal. As a bonus, it can mostly be assembled ahead of time, leaving you free to get the rest of dinner (and yourself) ready for your sweetie.

Can't find or don't want to use melon? Sub a package of cherry tomatoes, instead. It's easy and just as tasty! To make this romantic meal appetizer ahead of time, assemble the skewers, cover, and refrigerate until needed (no longer than 6 hours or so). Add dressing just before serving. Makes a generous two servings.

Ingredients:

Dressing:
1/3 C. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 C. fresh basil leaves (packed)
1 shallot, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Skewers:
1 small honeydew or other melon
6 balls of mini mozzarella (water-packed)
6 slices of Spanish jamón or Italian prosciutto
Wooden skewers

Instructions: 1. To make dressing, combine olive oil, basil leaves, shallot, and salt in a blender or food processor. Pulse in blender until ingredients are finely chopped and combined. Add pepper to taste.

2. Peel and seed melon and cut into several wedges. Cut each small wedge in half to make large chunks.

3. Cut your 6 jamón (or prosciutto) slices in half lengthwise.

4. To assemble skewers, place one piece of melon, followed by one piece of jamón (fold several times into a fanned piece before skewering), one mozzarella ball, another piece of "fanned" jamón, and a last piece of melon. Repeat until you've used up your mozzarella and jamón. Depending on its size, you may not use all of your melon.

5. Place your skewers on a platter and drizzle dressing over. Serve immediately.

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