Gazpacho (Cold Spanish Soup)

Indulge in the refreshing flavours of Gazpacho, a beloved traditional Spanish cold soup that brims with an array of crisp and delectable vegetables, perfect for beating the heat on a scorching summer day.

This simple and delicious Cold Spanish Soup or Tomato Gazpacho recipe will be a hit at your summer gatherings. The combination of fresh ingredients and a chilled serving makes it a refreshing choice for hot days. Don’t forget to experiment with different garnishments and enjoy the delightful flavours of this chilled summer soup.

Origins

Get ready for a tasty tidbit from southern Spain, Andalusia! Gazpacho, a refreshing cold soup, has become a staple on menus throughout Spain, with each region adding its own twist. Traditionally made in a mortar to avoid bubbles and foam, nowadays, we can use a blender to whip up a quick and delicious batch. Embrace the flavours of gazpacho and let it transport you to the sunny streets of Andalusia, where innovation and culinary expertise reign supreme.

Types of Gazpachos

The dish can be served as both an appetizer and a tapa. It embodies the essence of traditional Gazpacho, although Spain offers a variety of versions. For instance, there’s the “Salmorejo,” which incorporates eggs and cured ham, and the Ajo Blanco, an ancient white gazpacho recipe predating the introduction of tomatoes from the New World. Ajo Blanco consists of almond milk, olive oil, vinegar, and occasionally grapes. In addition to these classics, there are contemporary adaptations of Gazpacho, such as refreshing cucumber-mint, and variations featuring watermelon, strawberry and even seafood.

Technique

Listen up, aspiring gazpacho enthusiasts! You’ll need sturdy, dried white bread to whip up this delightful recipe. This magical ingredient will keep your soup from separating while it rests, although some daredevils omit it altogether. Now, let’s talk tomatoes. Hunt down those tasty, dark red beauties just a tad overripe. They’re the key to achieving that vibrant red gazpacho. However, fear not if your tomatoes aren’t quite soft and ripe enough! Your gazpacho might take on a gentle orange hue, but it will still tantalize those taste buds.

A Fun Tapa Variation

Attention, tapas enthusiasts! Here’s a fabulous twist for your gazpacho experience: the tapas version! Brace yourselves for the cucumber mousse and parsley olive oil that will take your gazpacho shooters to the next level. If you possess a siphon in your culinary arsenal, here’s the plan: combine cream, the filtered juice of a whole cucumber, and a dash of salt, and load it all up in the siphon. Allow it to chill in the fridge for a few hours, shake it well, and ta-da! You now have a delightful cucumber mousse to crown your tapa creation with an extra burst of cucumber freshness.

Let’s not forget about the parsley oil! Blend some flat-leaf parsley with olive oil, and voilà! Drizzle this vibrant concoction over your gazpacho shooters for a herbaceous elegance. The beauty of this tapa lies in its versatility—it can be served in glasses of any size, making it the perfect refreshment to dazzle your guests at a summertime soirée.

Storage

Usually, Gazpacho last 3 to 4 days in the fridge. If you have a big batch, you can freeze it; although the texture will not be the same, repass it in the blender, and you’ll get a decent gazpacho.

Other Fun Summer Soups

• EXTRA GREEN ASPARAGUS SOUP
• ALMOND & PINEAPPLE GAZPACHO
• CUCUMBER GAZPACHO WITH MINT

Print Pin

Gazpacho (Cold Spanish Soup)

5 from 13 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

resting time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 soups (8 tapas)

Calories 195

Savor the refreshing taste of Gazpacho, a beloved Spanish cold soup filled with crisp and delicious vegetables, ideal for cooling off on hot summer days.

Ingredients

• 1 k tomatoes (ripe)
• 1 slice dry white bread (cut off the crust (or toast a bread))
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 75 g cucumber (1/3 English cucumber)
• 1/4 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 60 ml extra-virgin olive oil
• 20 ml sherry vinegar
• salt and pepper

Metric – US Customary

Instructions 

• Peel the cucumber.
• Keep some cubes (pepper, cucumber) for the final topping *optional
• Add all the ingredients to a blender and make a purée, add slowly the olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper.
• If too thick, add a little extra water.
• Pass the mix through a sieve, taste to check for acidity level (add 1 tsp of sugar if too acidic)
• Let cool in the fridge for a minimum of two hours before serving.

Cucumber Mousse and/or Parsley Oil (Check the Tapas Paragraph for instructions)

Author: Marie Breton

Calories: 195kcal

Course: Aperitivo, Bebidas, Sopa, tapas

Cuisine: Spanish

Keyword: chilled, cold, cold soup, gazpacho, soup, spanish, tomato

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 675mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2562IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition Facts

Gazpacho (Cold Spanish Soup)

Amount per Serving

Calories

195

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Trans Fat

 

0.003

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

10

g

Sodium

 

44

mg

2

%

Potassium

 

675

mg

19

%

Carbohydrates

 

15

g

5

%

Fiber

 

4

g

17

%

Sugar

 

8

g

9

%

Protein

 

3

g

6

%

Vitamin A

 

2562

IU

51

%

Vitamin C

 

55

mg

67

%

Calcium

 

47

mg

5

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.