Fresh Summer Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a vibrant, chilled soup that brings together fresh, raw vegetables, olive oil, and spices to create a light yet flavorful dish perfect for warm days. Originating from Spain, this refreshing recipe is a great way to enjoy seasonal produce like ripe tomatoes, cucumber, and bell peppers, all blended into a silky, tangy soup.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped

• 1 cup tomato juice (fresh or bottled)

• 1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped

• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper

• ½ cup chopped red onion

• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced

• 1 medium garlic clove, minced

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• Juice of 1 lime

• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• ½ teaspoon toasted, ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomatoes

   • Bring a 6-quart pot of water to a boil.

   • Score the bottom of the tomatoes with an “X” and blanch them in the boiling water for 15 seconds.

   • Transfer to an ice bath and cool for about 1 minute.

   • Peel, core, and seed the tomatoes. Collect the seeds and pulp in a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl, pressing to extract as much juice as possible. Add bottled tomato juice to reach 1 cup total.

2. Mix the Vegetables

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes and juice with cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

3. Blend for Texture

   • Transfer 1½ cups of the mixture to a blender and puree on high speed for 15–20 seconds.

   • Return the pureed portion to the bowl and mix to combine, creating a perfect balance between smoothness and crunch.

4. Chill and Serve

   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight, to let flavors meld.

   • Garnish with chiffonade of fresh basil before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Gazpacho

This dish is naturally low in calories while being rich in antioxidants like lycopene from tomatoes and vitamin C from peppers. It’s hydrating, refreshing, and ideal as a light appetizer or side dish.

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