Gazpacho

Gazpacho, Spain’s famous chilled tomato-based soup, is basically summer in a bowl or salad in a blender. It sounds fancy to say it, but it couldn’t be easier to make!

I’ve been making Gazpacho for years and it’s an absolutely perfect way to use up all your garden-fresh produce or farmer’s market finds. It’s raw, spicy, and wonderful and if you’ve never tried it I really hope you do. It’s clean eating at its best! And, Both recipes are gluten-free, paleo, and quick to make! Gazpacho is totally raw, too.

Gazpacho

Get your blender or food processor out. I’m blessed to have a Vitamix 5200 Blender, and it will blend this to perfection in about 10 seconds! It’s not inexpensive, but it’s an investment that will last for years. I use it for smoothies, soups, sauces…just about everything that can be blended!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes-Romas or plum are best but any will work
• ½ green pepper, chopped
• ½ red onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 large garlic clove
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and seeded. If you use an English cucumber, no need to seed it first
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp sherry or red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 thick slice white bread, crusts removed, cut into a few pieces

Instructions:

• Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend for 1 minute or until soup is your desired consistency.
• Season to taste with extra salt and pepper.
• Chill in refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
• Serve topped with desired garnishes like leftover chopped veggies and add a dollop of sour cream.

Kate’s Tips

• Freshly made croutons would be wonderful in either of these soups. Check out my recipe. Feel free to use gluten-free bread 🙂
• Make Gazpacho shooters as an appetizer for a party. Just spoon into small glasses and sprinkle on the garnishes. Add a dollop of sour cream on the top.
• This is the tomato juice I use: Lakewood Organic Super Tomato Juice.
• If you love cold soups in the summer, you’ve got to try my cold beet borscht recipe. Beets never tasted so good, and it’s the prettiest soup you’ve ever seen!
• This recipe is the classic version. Feel free to try different veggies, herbs, and spices to make it your own special creation!