There is no better time to make chilled gazpacho than on a hot summer evening using vine ripe tomatoes harvested from the local farmer’s market or maybe your own backyard!
Summer produce lends gazpacho its vibrant colors, it’s rich taste, and also packs a lot of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals into this light and delightful chilled soup.
Discovering Gazpacho: A Summer Recipe
The heat of the summer has been dragging on with sizzling temperatures lasting into the early evenings. Consequently, I am feeling less and less like cooking. I was delighted when we were invited to my cousin’s house for a dinner party Saturday night.
My cousin Stacy started off the evening with a few light appetizers !
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| Pasta Salad made with gluten-free pasta noodles for the main |
Socializing went on for about an hour with some good wine, edamame, humus, and crackers before the twelve of us sat down for the main meal.
We enjoyed a starter of Greek gazpacho followed by a cold pasta salad (gluten-free) and salmon for the main. Everything was delicious (I did not eat the salmon) and was able to be served chilled or at room temperature.
The chilled gazpacho was exceptional and really captured the essence of the season. However, there was something different about it, that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Stacy explained that it was not a traditional gazpacho recipe with origins in Spain! Her recipe was actually called Greek Gazpacho.
The secret to the Greek Gazpacho is a generous measure of briny Kalamata olives added to the recipe before blending and then topped with feta cheese if desired!
The gazpacho really looked pretty with the extra garnishes on top !
A Brief History
Gazpacho’s roots trace back centuries to the Andalusian region of Spain, where field laborers relied on this cold soup to cool down during sweltering days. Originally a simple peasant dish made from stale bread, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and water, gazpacho has evolved into a much loved culinary delight now known worldwide for its refreshing taste and valuable health benefits.
The Health Benefits of Gazpacho,
Tomatoes, the key ingredient of gazpacho, are rich in lycopene—a powerful antioxidant known for its potential health benefits, including possibly reducing the risk of heart disease and perhaps certain cancers.
Besides being a nutrient powerhouse, gazpacho is incredibly hydrating, making it an ideal summer choice. Its high water content helps you stay cool and refreshed on scorching days while also contributing to your daily hydration needs.
Moreover, gazpacho is low in calories and naturally gluten-free, making it perfect for those with dietary preferences or dietary restrictions.
Although many typical gazpacho recipes call for the addition of stale bread, (this recipe does), the recipe can easily be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free bread for the traditional bread.
My cousin (Stacy) shared that she used Ina Garten’s Greek Gazpacho recipe found here (link to recipe). I omitted the feta cheese which Stacy kept separately.
