Easy Tomato Gazpacho

This Tomato Gazpacho recipe is super quick and easy to make, and it's one of the best ways to celebrate tomato season. Gazpacho is a beautiful and delicious appetizer or lovely light entrée on a warm summer day.

First, what is Gazpacho?

• Gazpacho is a Spanish soup that originated in Andalusia in southern Spain.
• The original version of Gazpacho was made of stale bread, garlic, olive oil, whatever vegetables might have been available, and a liquid of some sort -- probably water.
• Today, this soup is typically made from tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onion and spices.
• Gazpacho is usually served cold, but in some regions of Spain, they heat it before serving.

This recipe isn't authentic tomato gazpacho recipe, it's a somewhat close version that's easily made with just a few simple ingredients. You won't believe the amount of fresh and bright flavors that are packed into this soup.

My special addition to this gazpacho are the delicious toppings/mix-ins -- they add fantastic crunchy and creamy bites to the texture and they make for a beautiful presentation.

The Key Ingredients

• tomatoes - Any variety as long as they're in season, ripe and taste amazing! Color and feel are the best cues to ripeness -- they should be slightly firm, but have a little give when gently squeezed, and they should have a deep red color (or whatever the color is intended to be).
 Tomato Tip 1: It's not a must, but I advise removing the tomato seeds for a smoother texture -- it only takes a minute. Tomato Tip 2: The key to the success of this recipe is starting with the best, most flavorful tomatoes. During the summer months, your best bet is your local Farmers' Market. (Find yours using the Farmers' Market Finder.)
• garlic - Look for firm heads of garlic without any soft spots or green shoots, which are an indication it's old and likely bitter. Raw garlic cloves should be firm without any dark spots. (Pro tip: if there are green shoots in your garlic cloves, slice them in half, lengthwise, and remove the green root with the tip of a knife. The rest of the clove should still be good.)
• red onion - I love red onion in tomato gazpacho because it's on the sweet side. You can substitute with shallots or yellow onions. Choose those that are heavy for their size and without any bruises.
• sherry vinegar - Sherry vinegar is Spanish and is made form sherry. A good substitute is red wine vinegar.
• extra virgin olive oil - You should use a good quality oil, one you love. Piro is one I've been loving lately. Quality of your oil is always important, but especially when it's not being heated/cooked.

How to Make it

- Add the tomatoes, red onion, garlic cloves, vinegar, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment or a powerful blender. Tip: I find that a powerful blender, will result in a much smoother soup, if that's what you desire.

- Purée until it's as smooth as you'd like. I blend it so that it's somewhere between smooth and slightly chunky.

- Season to taste with more salt if necessary, and add a few turns of freshly ground black pepper.

- Either mix with or top with diced avocado, diced tomatoes and diced red onion. Drizzle with a bit more extra virgin olive oil. Tip: As far as the "mix-ins" go, use all, some, or any mix of them you like.

Variations

• A more traditional gazpacho includes cucumbers, peppers and often bread. Also onion is usually not in the soup, and is sometimes added to the top only. Feel free to play around with the recipe with different variations of these things.
• Experiment with the texture -- more authentic gazpachos are puréed until they're very smooth and creamy.

Serving Suggestions

Since cold soups like gazpacho are usually served in warmer weather, I think the whole meal should involve little to no heat. From salads and breads, to sandwiches and veggies, here are 20 amazing things to serve with gazpacho.

Can you make it ahead?

Yes! In fact, it only gets better with time. You can make it up to two days ahead of time. (Cut and add mix-ins just before serving, though.)

More Must-Try Summer Recipes with Tomatoes

• Pickled Tomatoes
• Grated Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Toast
• Tomato Basil Salad with Goat Cheese
• Roasted Tomato Poblano Salsa Recipe
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Lemon
• Tomato Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Enjoy!

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