Salmorejo is a rich and silky cold tomato soup which, like gazpacho, originated in the Andalusian region of Spain. Unlike gazpacho, this soup is All About The Tomatoes. So pick the best! Needing no cooking, it is perfect for hot summer’s days and takes advantage of intensely ripe summer produce!
Hello, all.
One of our favorite dinners here at BitofBacon HQ is tomato soup. We love it hot with red wine croutons or mixed with roasted red pepper, or cold in a gazpacho with cucumber and peppers. Around here it always disappears!
So of course, when I was thinking about what recipes to post here this summer my mind went to cold soup, and that meant the other famous Spanish tomato soup. Which you might not have heard of, but I hope you try it because it is both simple and delicious. š
What is Salmorejo?
Salmorejo is a very simple cold soup which originated in or near Cordoba in Andalusia, Spain. Cordoba is in the south of Spain where, like the south here, it gets hot enough in summer that there are many days you DON’T want to cook!
Unlike the more complex gazpacho which also originated in the area, this soup is all about three main ingredients – tomatoes, bread, and olive oil. With a little garlic, sometimes shallot, and a bit of sherry vinegar.
Traditional toppings include ham and hard boiled eggs. But feel free to try other toppings! We love croutons and basil here.
Enjoy this soup as a starter in a small cup or as a light and summery main dish in a bowl.
What do you need?
- Tomatoes – Get the best! This recipe is ride or die on the tomatoes.
- Bread – A good, crusty dinner bread is perfect. Skip the sourdough though – it takes over.
- Olive Oil – Flavorful, but not TOO fruity since it can become bitter. Save the super fruity oil for topping.
- Shallot/Garlic – We prefer small amounts of each. If you are serving the recipe in small cups, you can increase the garlic and shallot, but it becomes too much when enjoying a bowl.
- Sherry Vinegar – Just a little to provide some needed tang.
- Toppings – Egg and ham are traditional. From the photos we obviously enjoy croutons and basil here.
Variation: If you have a craving in the winter, use 28-oz of canned tomatoes in juice (no puree or crushed – only diced or whole) for the fresh.
How to make this
To make salmorejo, puree tomatoes with garlic and shallot. Add bread and puree. Then pour in olive oil to make a smooth soup. Season with sherry vinegar, salt and pepper. Serve cold with the toppings of your choice.
1. Puree the Veggies
Start by roughly chopping the tomatoes and then pureeing them with the garlic (and shallots if using). It should be fairly smooth before you move on.
2. Add the Bread
Now put the bread in the blender. If it has dried out (maybe it’s two or three days old), let it sit in the puree for a few minutes before you blend.
3. Time for the Olive Oil
Next, with the blender running, pour in the olive oil. I find I need at least 1/3 cup and usually more like 1/2 cup to get the smooth, silky texture I want. Once the oil is added just let the blender run for another minute. This makes sure the soup is SMOOTH.
4. Finish Up
Now add seasoning and sherry vinegar to taste mix in.
If you want, put it through a sieve and get out any bits of seed or skin which haven’t been pulverized. And then into the fridge to fully chill.
Tip: If you want a really ācoldā soup, put it in the freezer for ~20 minutes before you are going to serve.
Toppings Ideas
While the soup is quite lovely as it is, or maybe with a little drizzle of olive oil and some more pepper on top, it’s fun to add extras. Here are a few ideas!
- Hard Boiled Eggs – This is a traditional topping you will see if you order this in restaurant. Slice or chop the eggs.
- Ham – Jamon (Spanish ham) or prosciutto fried crispy make a nice crunch and is also traditional. Or you can use thin, sliced pancetta fried up.
- Croutons – We love fried croutons here. And croutons are fun idea on any soup!
- Jarred Tuna – A little different idea is tuna in olive oil flaked over the top.
- Fresh Herbs – Any fresh herbs you enjoy with tomatoes will add a little pop of flavor.
- Other Ideas – Crumbled goat cheese, avocado, toasted almonds, red onion.
What to Serve Alongside
In my notes on the recipe I have a little comment which says ‘Excellent with seafood’ and this is true! Here are a few Spanish seafood recipes you can enjoy alongside.
If you try my recipe for Salmorejo – Cold Tomato Soup, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! And Iām happy to answer any questions you might have.
– Stay Safe, Annemarie
Cold Spanish Tomato Soup (Salmorejo)
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium very ripe tomatoes
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1 small shallot
- 3 oz stale dinner bread
- 1/3-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1-2 tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Toppings (optional)
- olive oil
- fried croutons
- fried slices of ham or pancetta
- diced hard boiled eggs
- chopped fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley
Instructions
- Core and roughly chop tomatoes. Add them along with garlic and shallot to blender and puree until smooth.
- Add bread. If the bread is dry, let it soak in the puree for a few minutes. Then puree again until smooth.
- With the blender running, pour in the olive oil. Taste after adding 1/3 cup and add the rest if needed.
- Now add sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste and blend in.
- Move the soup to a carafe or pitcher, cover the top, and put it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to one day.
- Serve very cold with the toppings of your choice.
Notes
- Winter Variation: Use 28 ounces of either whole or chopped tomatoes in juice.
- Toppings: Serve soup with any toppings on the side for people to pick and choose.
- Make Ahead: This is recipe is perfect to make in the morning or the day before dinner.
- Straining: For a super smooth soup, work it through a fine mesh strainer before chilling.
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