Description
Imagine the pure, vibrant essence of summer captured in a bowl. This delightful chilled gazpacho soup is bursting with fresh, raw vegetables, offering a cool and invigorating taste that’s perfect for warm days or whenever you crave a light, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal. It’s the ultimate refresh button for your palate. A vibrant fiesta of garden-fresh flavors, this gazpacho is best served ice-cold, glistening with a drizzle of olive oil and perhaps a sprinkle of crusty bread.
Ingredients
4 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 English cucumber, peeled and finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup minced green onion
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeo, and garlic. Stir in the salt, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and black pepper.
2. Combine the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender, then blend until completely smooth.
3. Strain this pureed liquid directly into the bowl with the diced vegetables and stir well to combine.
4. Transfer about one-third of the chunky tomato mixture back into the blender. Blend until smooth, then pour it back into the bowl with the remaining soup and stir. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
5. Before serving, taste the chilled soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the freshly sliced basil.
Notes
Tomato Quality is Key: Use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find for the best tasting gazpacho.
Adjust Texture: If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can strain the gazpacho after blending, though this is completely optional.
Seasoning Savvy: Taste and adjust the seasoning before chilling. The flavors will mellow slightly as it chills, so aim for it to be perfectly seasoned when you make it.
Bread for Body: The stale bread helps to give the gazpacho a lovely body and smooth texture. Ensure it’s stale enough to absorb the liquids.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Other