Click here to read the Spanish version.
Moskin now unveils the ingredients and preparation steps for the ‘Best Gazpacho’ to cool you off this summer in the most delicious way.
Gazpacho is everywhere in Seville, Spain, where this recipe comes from, but it’s not the watery sauce or grainy vegetable puree often served in the United States. This version is breadless and has a creamy orangey pink color instead of carmine red. This is because a large amount of olive oil is needed to make a delicious gazpacho, rather than a ‘take it or leave it’ gazpacho. The emulsion of red tomato juice, pale green cucumber juice and golden olive oil produces just the right color and a smooth, almost fluffy texture,’ notes the journalist about her signature recipe.
Ingredients (8 to 12 servings, about 1 quart)
- About 2 pounds ripe red tomatoes, cored and roughly cut into chunks
- 1 Italian frying (cubanelle) pepper or another long, light green pepper, such as Anaheim, cored, seeded and roughly cut into chunks
- 1 cucumber, about 8 inches long, peeled and roughly cut into chunks
- 1 small mild onion (white or red), peeled and roughly cut into chunks
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, more to taste
- Salt
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste, plus more for drizzling
Preparation in 4 steps:
1
Combine tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, onion and garlic in a blender or, if using a hand blender, in a deep bowl. (If necessary, work in batches.) Blend at high speed until very smooth, at least 2 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
2
With the motor running, add the vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil. The mixture will turn bright orange or dark pink and become smooth and emulsified, like a salad dressing. If it still seems watery, drizzle in more olive oil until texture is creamy.
3
Strain the mixture through a strainer or a food mill, pushing all the liquid through with a spatula or the back of a ladle. Discard the solids. Transfer to a large pitcher (preferably glass) and chill until very cold, at least 6 hours or overnight.
4
Before serving, adjust the seasonings with salt and vinegar. If soup is very thick, stir in a few tablespoons ice water. Serve in glasses, over ice if desired, or in a bowl. A few drops of olive oil on top are a nice touch.
