MELON RING WITH MINT AND HONEY-LIME DRESSING

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped mint leaves
1 cup melon balls (preferably a mix of cantaloupe, honeydew, and/or similar kinds), plus additional (optional)
FOR THE DRESSING:
1 cup yogurt
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1. Place the gelatin, 1 cup of the orange juice, and the sugar in a small pan and heat until the gelatin and sugar are dissolved. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.

2. Remove the gelatin mixture from the heat and add the lemon juice, the remaining 1 cup orange juice, and the mint.

3. Put the pan over a bowl of ice water and stir for a few minutes until the gelatin begins to thicken. Fold in the melon balls. Pour into a 4-cup ring mold and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

4. Unmold and fill the center with additional melon balls, if desired. To make the dressing: Mix all the ingredients together and serve with the ring and melon balls.

Serves 6 to 8
Excerpted from The Pat Conroy Cookbook by Pat Conroy with Suzanne Williamson Pollak
Copyright © 2004 by Pat Conroy. Excerpted by permission of Nan A. Talese, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.