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Rice Salad with Prosciutto and Melon

17/11/2023

The rice salad with prosciutto and melon is a fresh dish ideal for summer, combining sweet and salty flavors deliciously. Here is the recipe to prepare this dish.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of rice
  • 150 g of thinly sliced cured ham
  • 1 cantaloupe melon
  • 100 g of mozzarella cheese (or feta if you prefer a more intense flavor)
  • Black olives to taste (optional)
  • Fresh basil to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Lemon juice to taste
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Begin by cooking the rice in abundant salted water according to the package instructions to keep it al dente. Once cooked, drain and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process and let it cool completely.
  2. In the meantime, cut the melon in half, remove the seeds, and with the help of a Parisian spoon or simply with a knife, make melon balls or cubes. Place the melon in a large bowl.
  3. Cut the cured ham into strips and the mozzarella (or feta) into cubes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cold rice, prosciutto, melon, mozzarella, and olives if you have chosen to add them.
  5. Season the salad with extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt (be careful with the salt as the ham is already savory), some freshly ground black pepper, and a touch of lemon juice.
  6. Gently mix everything together to avoid breaking the melon and mozzarella cubes.
  7. Finally, decorate with hand-torn fresh basil leaves to preserve their aroma.
  8. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

This salad is versatile, and you can add ingredients to taste such as arugula, toasted pine nuts, or replace the prosciutto with smoked speck for a smokier flavor.

Curiosity

The combination of prosciutto and melon is a classic Italian appetizer, especially in the summer period. Integrating these ingredients into a rice salad brings this pairing to a new level of freshness and lightness, perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. Furthermore, in Italian culture, it is believed that melon with prosciutto stimulates the appetite and refreshes the palate.

Rice Salad with Prosciutto and Melon