Grilled Tomato Bell Pepper Gazpacho Food

GAZPACHO RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the bread slices in a bowl with 1/2 cup of water. Let the bread soak while you work on the tomatoes. Squeeze the bread to ring out any water
• Place the tomatoes in a large pot of boiling water for 40 seconds or so. With a slotted spoon, remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and let them cool for about a minute or so. When they are cool enough to handle, gently peel the skins off.
• In a large food processor or blender, place the tomatoes with the cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, green onions and garlic. Top with the soaked bread. Pour 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil and the sherry vinegar. Run the processor for a few seconds then add the salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper (optional) and a pinch of sugar; blend.
• Test the gazpacho and if it's too thick, add a little water and blend again until you reach the desired texture.
• Transfer to a glass container or large canning jars. Cover tightly and chill in refrigerator.
• When ready to serve, give the gazpacho a quick stir then transfer to serving bowls or small glasses. Top with olive oil and a garnish of fresh mint, cilantro and chopped green onions, if you like.

SPANISH GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE WITH GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender. Puree on high speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Divide half the cheese among 4 bread slices. Evenly top with the ham and remaining cheese and bread slices. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 of the sandwiches and cook, pressing with a heavy skillet, until golden brown on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches, adding another 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Cook, pressing with the skillet, until browned on the other side and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Wipe out the skillet and repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and sandwiches.
• Season the gazpacho with salt and pepper, if necessary. Divide among small bowls. Serve with the sandwiches.

GRILLED YELLOW GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the tomatoes and half of the yellow pepper, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender along with the garlic, shallot, vinegar, salt and pepper and half of the cucumber. Puree until very smooth. Slowly add the olive oil with the motor running. Strain through a medium-meshed sieve into a bowl. Cover and chill at least 4 hours and preferably overnight. Finely chop the remaining half yellow pepper and cucumber and keep refrigerated.
• Before serving, season the gazpacho with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with a little of the diced pepper and cucumber, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with basil.

BEST GAZPACHO

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

CLASSIC GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Cut 1 tomato, 1/2 cucumber and 1/2 onion into 1-inch pieces and transfer to processor. Add bell pepper and puree. Transfer to bowl. Add tomato juice, cilantro, vinegar, oil and hot pepper sauce. Seed remaining tomato. Dice remaining tomato and cucumber and onion halves and add to soup. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.) Serve well chilled.

CHEF JOHN'S GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a large bowl. Stir in salt, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
• Place cherry tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender. Cover and puree until smooth. Pour pureed mixture through a strainer into the tomato-cucumber mixture; stir to combine.
• Place 1/3 of the tomato mixture into the blender. Cover, turn blender on, and puree until smooth. Return pureed mixture to the remaining tomato-cucumber mixture. Stir to combine. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Season cold soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with basil.