Melon and Pear Salad With Cayenne-Mint Syrup

Ingredients

Syrup

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup mint, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon rind, grated

Salad

• 6 cups cantaloupe, cubed
• 6 cups honeydews, cubed
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 cups strawberries (halved if large)
• 1 1/2 cups pears, cubed (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup blackberry
• 1 tablespoon mint, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground

Directions

1. 1

   For syrup, bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook 3 minutes or until slightly syrupy.

2. 2

   Remove from heat and stir in mint and lemon zest. Allow to steep 30 minutes. Stran through a fine sieve (discard solids).

3. 3

   For salad: Lightly mix all fruit. Pour syrup over and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.