Lunch: Melon-and-Strawberry Salad with Spicy Lemongrass Syrup

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Melon-and-Strawberry Salad with Spicy Lemongrass Syrup

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

2 plump lemongrass stalks, bruised and coarsely chopped
2 fresh hot red chiles, quartered lengthwise
Finely grated zest of 1 lime
1 cup sugar
1 pound strawberries, halved or quartered if large
1 pound cubed (3/4-inch) peeled yellow or white-fleshed melon such as Canary or Crenshaw
2 tablespoons slivered mint leaves
2 teaspoons minced crystallized ginger
1/2 cup crème fraîche

Instructions

Set a medium bowl in a large bowl filled with ice. In a medium saucepan, combine the lemongrass, chiles, lime zest and sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to the ice water bath and let chill for 15 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss the strawberries with the melon and mint. Strain the cooled lemongrass syrup over the fruit and toss gently. Refrigerate just until slightly chilled.
In a bowl, stir the ginger into the crème fraîche. Spoon the fruit salad into bowls, top with a dollop of the ginger cream and serve.