Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl
Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl Gazpacho, the iconic chilled tomato soup of Spain, is a refreshing and flavorful summer staple. Its origins can be traced back to the hot, dry summers of Andalusia, where peasants needed a way to stay hydrated and nourished while working in the fields. Traditionally made with stale bread, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and whatever vegetables were in season, gazpacho has evolved over the years into a more refined dish, but its essence remains the same: a simple, yet incredibly flavorful soup that is perfect for a hot summer day. This recipe for Spanish gazpacho is a modern take on the classic, using fresh, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and herbs. The soup is blended until smooth and then chilled for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled, garnished with additional chopped herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
The history of gazpacho is a long and winding one, stretching back to the hot, dry summers of Andalusia. In the 15th century, peasants in the region needed a way to stay hydrated and nourished while working in the fields. They began to experiment with different combinations of vegetables, bread, and olive oil, and eventually came up with a simple, yet incredibly flavorful soup that would become known as gazpacho. Over the years, gazpacho has evolved into a more refined dish, but its essence remains the same: a simple, refreshing soup that is perfect for a hot summer day. In the 19th century, tomatoes were added to the recipe, and in the 20th century, gazpacho began to be served chilled. Today, gazpacho is a popular dish all over the world, and there are many different variations on the classic recipe.
Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl Spanish Gazpacho: A Refreshing Adventure in a Bowl
Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 6 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender and puree until smooth.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  5. Serve chilled, garnished with additional chopped herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
Why It Works
  • The combination of fresh, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and herbs creates a refreshing and flavorful soup.
  • Blending the soup until smooth gives it a velvety texture.
  • Chilling the soup for at least 4 hours, or overnight, allows the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Serving the soup chilled makes it even more refreshing on a hot summer day.