Gazpacho is one of the most iconic dishes of Southern Spain, but popular in other regions as well, especially during the hot summer months. Gazpacho is a chilled soup made with fresh, ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and peppers, and aromatic garlic, all blended together with a touch of olive oil and Jerez vinegar for a perfectly balanced flavour. When you visit Spain in the scorching months of July and August, you want nothing else for lunch than a large glass of gazpacho. I usually drink a litre of gazpacho a day during the hottest days of summer.
Today, I want to teach you how to make the easiest Spanish Gazpacho recipe. Everyone had their own recipe, with their preferred quantities and proportions of ingredients, so no two gazpachos are the same. Don’t be afraid to adjust and test until you reach the perfect taste of Gazpacho.
Ingredients for the Spanish Gazpacho Recipe
You don’t need a lot of ingredients for this delicious Spanish Gazpacho recipe. The most important ingredient is the tomatoes. I like to use the Roma type, which might not look like much but has such a great sweet flavour. Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes for the base of your Gazpacho. Look for tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure. The other vegetables that make Gazpacho are red onions, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Don’t omit the garlic!
Optional, in June and July, when the strawberries are in season, I like to add a handful to my Gazpacho. I just love the delicate sweetness they add to the dish.
Stale bread acts as a thickener and adds body to the Gazpacho. Use rustic bread and soak it in water until soft before blending.
Jerez vinegar, also known as sherry vinegar, is a key ingredient in authentic Spanish Gazpacho. It adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavour that brings to life the other ingredients in the soup and gives the Gazpacho its typical taste.
How to Make Spanish Gazpacho
Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by cutting all the ingredients into small pieces. Place them in a large bowl and soak them in water until the bread is soft.
Blend the Ingredients: Once the bread is soft, transfer all the soaked ingredients to a blender. Add olive oil and Jerez vinegar to the blender.
Blend Until Smooth: Blend all the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If you prefer a smoother, seedless soup, you can pass the mixture through a strainer.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the Gazpacho and adjust the seasoning with salt and vinegar according to your preference.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the Gazpacho with small pieces of cucumber, tomato, onions, or strawberries if desired. Serve the Gazpacho cold in glasses for a refreshing summer treat.
Notes and Tips
- For a more refreshing taste, it is common in Spain for fruits to be added to the Gazpacho. Strawberries add fragrance and a bit of sweetness that balances the sharpness of the Jerez vinegar.
- Only make enough Gazpacho as you want to eat, as it doesn’t last for a long time. It will most likely split if left overnight.
- No two Gazpacho recipes taste the same. Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences.
- Gazpacho is made for drinking, not to be eaten from a bowl. Serve in glasses rather than in bowls.
Spanish Gazpacho Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 bell pepper
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 slice stale bread
- 30 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 15 ml Jerez vinegar
- a handful of strawberries optional
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut all the ingredients into small pieces and soak in water until the bread is soft.
- Blend all the ingredients and pass through a strainer if you prefer a smooth, seedless soup.
- Adjust with salt and vinegar, to your taste.
- Garnish with small pieces of cucumber, tomato, onions or strawberries (if you are using them).
- Serve cold.
FAQ:
Can I make Gazpacho without bread?
While bread is a traditional ingredient in Gazpacho and helps to thicken the soup, you can omit it if you prefer a lighter version. If you leave the bread out, this recipe of Gazpacho becomes gluten-free.
Can I customize the ingredients in Gazpacho?
Absolutely! Gazpacho is a versatile dish, and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to add or omit ingredients such as bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, or garlic based on your preference.
For more vegetarian Spanish tapas recipes, check out my recommendations below:
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