Chilled Summer Gazpacho
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Gazpacho is my favorite summer no-cook soup/meal. It’s is like a trip to the farmer market in a bowl. Super easy to make = less time in the hot kitchen. It’s packed with loads of vitamins and antioxidants and bursting with flavors. Tomatoes are the star here, so be sure to select perfectly ripe tomatoes. I buy the best tomatoes I can find and I store them on the counter not in the fridge to preserve their flavor. Then by mid August (chipmunks willing) I use my own. For a more developed flavor, I chill the tomato gazpacho for a couple of hours or so before serving. You can make it ahead of time and chill it overnight. Top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few fresh herbs, lemon wedges and and hot chili oil or Tobasco on the side.
|
|
Chilled Summer Gazpacho
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Gazpacho is my favorite summer no-cook soup/meal. It’s is like a trip to the farmer market in a bowl. Super easy to make = less time in the hot kitchen. It’s packed with loads of vitamins and antioxidants and bursting with flavors. Tomatoes are the star here, so be sure to select perfectly ripe tomatoes. I buy the best tomatoes I can find and I store them on the counter not in the fridge to preserve their flavor. Then by mid August (chipmunks willing) I use my own. For a more developed flavor, I chill the tomato gazpacho for a couple of hours or so before serving. You can make it ahead of time and chill it overnight. Top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few fresh herbs, lemon wedges and and hot chili oil or Tobasco on the side.
|
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8cups | 25minutes |
|
|
Ingredients
- 2oz ripe tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1medium red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
- 1medium red or yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2tablespoons fresh Italian parsley leaves
- 1small garlic clove, peeled
- 2cups tomato juice
- 3teaspoons sherry vinegar, more to taste
- ½cup extra virgin olive oil, more to taste, plus more for drizzling
- 1tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Tabasco sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Use an immersion blender or blend in batches, to desired smoothness. Blend pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
- Place in a container. Chill several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to blend.
- Before serving, adjust the seasonings to taste with more salt, vinegar, pepper, lemon or Tabasco. Serve in glasses, over ice if desired, or in a bowl. I like to add a few drops of olive oil on top and chopped tomatoes and cucumbers.
Recipe Notes
You can freeze gazpacho soup for a good 6 months. Add a dollop of crab meat, avocados or grilled shrimps for a heftier meal.
I like my gazpacho somewhat chunky, so I only pulse a few times in the blender. But feel free to blend more and strain it if you prefer a smooth consistency.
Add a splash of Vodka for a great Bloody Mary.