Tomatoes are at the front and centre of this soup, so be sure to pick the best perfectly ripe tomatoes you can find to give the soup maximum flavour. The tomatoes should be plump and have smooth skin without any blemishes. Both Roma and cherry tomatoes are good choices, and you can easily combine the two, which will add a more interesting flavour to the gazpacho. If you are yearning for a bowl of tasty soup in the dead of winter, we recommend going with cherry or grape tomatoes to provide a juicy sweetness.
The Spanish soup tastes best if you allow time for it to chill. To develop the flavour, let the soup sit in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving it.
In our opinion, we have the best gazpacho recipe, full of fresh ingredients and plenty of flavours. With this recipe, you are in for a real Spanish treat that is prepped and ready in almost no time. Below, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about this Spanish classic. Continue reading to learn more.
Ripe tomatoes
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8 |
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Cucumber
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1 |
Green bell pepper
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1 |
Red bell pepper
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2 |
Celery leaves
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2 stalks |
Finely chopped fresh basil leaves
|
100 ml |
Finely chopped garlic clove
|
1 |
Wholemeal bread in large cubes
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2 slices |
Olive oil
|
1 tbsp |
Sherry vinegar
|
1 tbsp |
Coarse salt
|
1 tsp |
Wholemeal bread in small cubes
|
4 slices |
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Olive oil
|
2 tbsp |
Coarse salt
|
½ tsp |
Fresh basil leaves
|
|
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Cucumbers or celery in small cubes
|
|
Olive oil
|
Discover the classic cold Spanish vegetable soup that is perfect all year round but especially on a hot summer day. Gazpacho, sometimes called Andalusian gazpacho, is made with fresh, sweet tomatoes, cucumber, vinegar, olive oil, herbs, and a few more vegetables. This flavour-packed chilled tomato soup has the perfect balance of acidic, savoury flavours with a touch of sweetness from the ripe tomatoes. With so many fresh and tasty ingredients, you can also enjoy this Spanish delight on more chilly days. It is such a humble yet irresistibly delicious soup.
Try out more of our soup recipes, for example, a tasty minestrone with crispy bread, a simple noodle soup with chicken, and a creamy carrot soup made with cream cheese.
The key to getting an authentic tomato gazpacho texture is to add bread. Bread is a traditional ingredient in a wide variety of Spanish recipes. We use wholemeal bread to help thicken the soup and give it a heartier texture while allowing it to soak up all those delicious flavours from the other ingredients, and wholemeal bread also has more flavour to add to the soup. The bread is cut into smaller bits and mixed with olive oil and vinegar to soften it. The oil marinade not only adds flavour but also makes it easier to blend the bread with the vegetables.
Sherry vinegar is a staple in Spanish cuisine and is used extensively in many Spanish recipes to enhance the flavour of the dishes. It is made from fermenting sherry wine, resulting in a well-rounded flavour with less acidity than, for example, red or white wine vinegar. The Spanish vinegar is loaded with complex aromas that can be described as nutty, balanced with bright acidity and a light sweetness with subtle caramel notes. If you are looking to make an authentic Gazpacho with an acidic bite, you need to get your hand on this vinegar.
Give the classic dish a tasty upgrade with avocado and grilled shrimp. Cut one avocado into smaller cubes and blend with the other ingredients. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a bowl and garnish with basil, avocado, grilled shrimp, and a tiny bit of olive oil. It is the perfect option for a quick weeknight dinner with the family. You can add some serrano pepper if you fancy a burst of heat. Serrano pepper has a flavour similar to jalapenos but with a sharp, bright, fresh taste. Enjoy the spicy gazpacho as an appetiser with crusty bread on the side.