Gazpacho And Almond Soup Spain Food

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.

MALAGA ALMOND GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Soak bread in 1/2 cup water 1 minute, then squeeze dry, discarding soaking water.
• Mash garlic to a paste with salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a large knife). Blend garlic paste and almonds in a food processor until nuts are as smooth as possible. Add bread and 1 tablespoon vinegar and, with motor running, add oil in a slow stream, then add ice water and blend well. Force purée through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing firmly on solids. Discard solids.
• Transfer soup to a glass container and chill, covered, until cold, about 3 hours. Season with salt and vinegar before serving.

GAZPACHO AND ALMOND SOUP (SPAIN)

Steps:

• Place the first 8 ingredients together (until the capers) in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Thicken the soup by blending in the almonds.
• Transfer the soup to a bowl and stir in the vinegar, sugar, cold stock, tomato juice and olive oil. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, then stir in the herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve garnished with some extra diced vegetables and toasted flaked almonds.

AJO BLANCO (SPANISH ALMOND SOUP)

Steps:

• Place the diced bread in a blender. Sprinkle 1/2 c cold water and sherry vinegar over the bread, then blend until relatively smooth.
• Add the almonds, garlic and apple and blend until smooth.
• Carefully, with the blender still running, add the olive oil. (If this is not possible with your blender, add the oil, then blend again.)
• Add a little more water (around 2 Tbsp - 1/4 cup) to make a smooth, pourable consistency.** Add a little salt, if needed, to taste.
• Chill the soup, covered, for at least an hour to become well chilled. Or, if not possible, add a couple ice cubes to the mixture and blend them in well.
• To serve, divide the soup between two bowls and top each with some halved green grapes and a drizzle of olive oil.