Cuban Gazpacho Recipes

AUTHENTIC GAZPACHO RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash and dry all of the vegetables very well-if you prefer to peel the tomatoes you can, although I usually leave the skin on.
• Cut the tomatoes into 4 slices (leaving the core behind) and put into your blender.
• Halve, core, and de-seed the pepper. Cut it into a few slices and add to the blender.
• Peel the garlic and slice it in half. Remove the core (which often results in bitterness when not cooked).
• Cut the onion into a few slices and add it to the blender too.
• Peel the cucumber and cut it in half. Add half to the blender and save the other half for a topping.
• Blend the vegetables at a high speed until it is completely pureed.
• Add the salt and vinegar and, while blending on a slow speed, slowly add the olive oil.
• Taste and adjust salt and vinegar. If the texture is too thick for your liking add some cold water.
• Refrigerate and serve VERY cold! Add as many (or as few) toppings as you like.

GAZPACHO

Steps:

• On a cutting board, lightly sprinkle the garlic with a pinch of salt and smash it into a paste with the flat side of a large knife.
• Mix the smashed garlic, tomatoes, roughly chopped cucumbers, scallions, bell peppers, jalapenos, parsley and mint in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the olive oil and sherry, and toss well.
• Add half of the vegetable mixture to a blender and pulse. Add half of the tomato juice and 2 ice cubes. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the flavors to come together.
• Divide among chilled soup bowls, drizzle with olive oil, garnish with cubed cucumbers, if using, and serve.

THE BEST GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Place the bread cubes in a small bowl and add enough water to cover. Let soak until the bread is completely saturated, about 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze dry.
• Combine the bread, tomatoes, roughly chopped cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender. (Work in two batches if necessary.) Blend on high speed until creamy and very smooth, about 2 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or 8-cup liquid measuring cup. Cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Season to taste with more salt and pepper and add up to 1 more tablespoon vinegar. Ladle into serving bowls, top with the finely diced cucumber and drizzle with more olive oil. Serve chilled.

GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Roughly chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions into 1-inch cubes. Put each vegetable separately into a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until it is coarsely chopped. Do not overprocess!
• After each vegetable is processed, combine them in a large bowl and add the garlic, tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill before serving. The longer gazpacho sits, the more the flavors develop.

CUBAN GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Cut the vegetables in chunks. If you like, you can skin the tomatoes but it isn't necessary.
• Process all the vegetables in a blender in small batches with tomato juice and olive oil until you have a thick puree. Add tomato juice and oil with every batch to provide plenty of liquid.
• For the last batch, soak bread in warm water, squeeze out excess water, add the bread and blend well.
• Pour it all into a bowl or, like I do, a pitcher and add the vinegar and lime juice.
• Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
• Mix well.
• Chill in refrigerator until very cold.
• Just before serving, garnish with all or any combination of the listed garnishes if you wish. The Italian in me likes a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.