Kaffir Lime Mousse with Honeydew Water

ingredients

• mousse
• 2/3 cup chilled heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 (2- by 1.25 inch) fresh or frozen kaffir lime leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh lime zest
• 3/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1 1/2 teaspoons envelope)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• honeydew water
• 3 cups (1 inch) pieces honeydew flesh (2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons Midori (melon liqueur)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Garnish: 4 fresh green perilla leaves
• Accompaniment: chile lime tuiles
• Special equipment: cheesecloth

directions

Make mousse:

Stir together 1/3 cup cream, sugar, lime leaves, zest, and a pinch of salt in a small heavy saucepan and bring to a bare simmer over moderately low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 25 minutes.

Sprinkle gelatin over water and lime juice in a bowl and let soften 1 minute. Return cream mixture to a simmer, then pour through a very fine sieve into gelatin, pressing on and discarding solids. Stir until gelatin is dissolved, about 1 minute. Gradually add yogurt, whisking, and chill, covered, 30 minutes. (Mixture will not be gelled.)

Beat remaining 1/3 cup cream in a chilled bowl with whisk until it just holds soft peaks. Fold into yogurt mixture and chill, covered, at least 8 hours. (Mousse will be softly set.)

Make honeydew water:

Blend honeydew, Midori, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a blender at high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour through a fine sieve lined with dampened cheesecloth into a bowl. Let drain, undisturbed, 30 minutes, then discard foam remaining in cheesecloth.

Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small saucepan and let soften 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons melon juice and sugar, then cook over low heat, stirring, until gelatin and sugar are dissolved, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 1 1/8 cups melon juice (reserve remainder for another use if desired), then transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, at least 8 hours. (Honeydew water will be barely set.)

Assemble dessert:

Spoon honeydew water onto 4 dessert plates and top with perilla leaves. Spoon mousse onto leaves.

Cooks' note:

Mousse and honeydew water can be made 3 days ahead and chilled separately, covered.