Tomato-based gazpacho is incredibly delicious! It’s a refreshing blend of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. The flavors meld together to create a vibrant, tangy, and slightly sweet soup that’s perfect for hot summer days. Each spoonful is a burst of fresh, garden flavors that cools and invigorates. 🍅🥒
Gazpacho
Tomato-based gazpacho originated in Andalusia, Spain. Initially made with bread, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and water, it evolved in the 16th century with the addition of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers from the Americas. This refreshing cold soup is especially popular during hot summers.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs vine-ripened tomatoes peeled, seeded and chopped
- Tomato juice
- 1 cup cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 small jalapeno seeded and minced
- 1 medium garlic clove minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp toasted ground cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves chiffonade
Instructions
- Fill a 6-quart pot halfway full of water, set over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Make an X with a paring knife on the bottom of the tomatoes.
- Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 15 seconds, remove and transfer to an ice bath and allow to cool until able to handle, approximately 1 minute.
- Remove and pat dry. Peel, core and seed the tomatoes.
- While seeding the tomatoes, place the seeds and pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl in order to catch the juice. Press as much of the juice through as possible and then add enough bottled tomato juice to bring the total to 1 cup.
- Place the tomatoes and juice into a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic clove, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to a blender and puree for 15 to 20 seconds on high speed.
- Return the pureed mixture to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Cover and chill for 2 hours and up to overnight.
- Serve with chiffonade of basil.