Chilled Spanish Gazpacho (Print Version)
A refreshing chilled blend of tomatoes, cucumber, and bell peppers, ideal for summer dining.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 6 ripe tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
02 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
05 - 1/2 small red onion, peeled and chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
→ Liquids
07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
09 - 2 cups tomato juice, unsalted or low sodium
→ Bread
10 - 2 slices stale white bread, crusts removed, torn into pieces (optional)
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - Pinch of cumin (optional)
→ Garnish
14 - Diced cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper
15 - Fresh basil or parsley leaves
16 - Additional olive oil for drizzling
# Directions:
01 - Place the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onion, and garlic into a blender. If using bread for extra body, add it to the blender as well.
02 - Pour in the olive oil, vinegar, tomato juice, salt, black pepper, and cumin if using.
03 - Blend until completely smooth. For a thinner consistency, add additional tomato juice or cold water as needed.
04 - Sample the gazpacho and adjust salt and pepper levels to your preference.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop and meld properly.
06 - Stir well before serving. Ladle into bowls or glasses and top with diced vegetables, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- No cooking means your kitchen stays cool while making something deeply satisfying
- It transforms humble vegetables into something elegant enough for dinner guests but simple enough for Tuesday lunch
02 -
- The bread trick transforms this from vegetable juice to actual soup, giving it body and a creamy texture without any dairy
- Gazpacho needs that full chilling time to come together, rushing it means you are missing the point entirely
03 -
- Make this the day before you plan to serve it, the flavors develop beautifully overnight
- Keep your serving bowls in the freezer for 15 minutes before ladling, the extra chill makes a difference