Midsummer brings heaps of juicy, ripe tomatoes along with hot, humid weather. A combination which is perfect for all sorts of easy, no-cook tomato recipes, like this super yummy smooth tomato gazpacho!
Hello, all!
Tomato season is one of my favorite times of the year. Each summer I wait in anticipation of all the wonderful local and heirloom tomatoes which the nearby farms will have on offer. The rest of the year we have the occasional tomato from the supermarket, but mostly we wait. And wait.
And then I buy them like crazy. Boxes of ‘seconds’ to roast up and put away in the freezer for sauces in the winter. Beautiful heirloom varieties and big, beefsteak tomatoes to enjoy in all sorts of no-cook recipes, like Salad Caprese and Greek Chopped Salad and Pasta with Raw Tomato Sauce.
That is, when I’m not pureeing them up with cucumbers and bread into Tomato Gazpacho! š
This smooth tomato gazpacho is the second no-cook cold soup I’m sharing with you here, and, like my Cold Cucumber Buttermilk Soup, it is a snap to make. Assemble your ingredients, pull out your blender, and a few minutes later you have soup!
Though, as with the cucumber soup, it will be so much better if you can let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. No-cook soups need that resting time, both to fully chill and to allow the flavors to merge so they will be at their best.
You totally want this soup to be at its best! So, make it in the morning or the night before.
Depending on my mood, I’ll have this soup as main vegetarian course with a salad or as a side along with some grilled steak or as an elegant first course to a special meal. Don’t wait for a special meal to make this though! It’s too easy and too yummy not to make for dinner tonight.
BTW, don’t expect it to be deep red! This soup isn’t going to be red, but rather more pink or peachy from all that lovely olive oil and bread and the cucumbers. Each of which lend their flavor to make this a soup you’ll be waiting to make.
Just as soon as those tomatoes are ripe.
If you try my recipe for Smooth Tomato Gazpacho, 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.
– Happy Eating, Annemarie
Smooth Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (5 medium) tomatoes
- 1 cubanelle pepper, or sweet Italian pepper
- 4 medium scallions
- 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled and seeded if needed
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
- 2 cups 2 oz of stale artisan bread, crusts removed
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roughly chop the tomatoes, cubanelle pepper, scallions, cucumber, garlic, and jalapeno.
- Puree all the vegetables, along with the bread, olive oil, and sherry vinegar in a blender until smooth. You may need to add up to 1/2 cup of water to thin out the soup a bit. Add the water a couple of tablespoons at a time until you are happy with the consistency. If the ingredients are too much for your blender, split the soup into 2-3 batches.
- Set a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the pureed soup into the strainer and work it through the strainer, discarding the solids. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Let the soup chill for 2-3 hours, or overnight.
- If desired, garnish with finely sliced scallions, minced jalapeno, chopped parsley/cilantro, or a little finely diced tomato or cucumber.
Notes
- Cubanelle: You can substitute a bell pepper for the cubanelle. However, only use 1/4 of a medium bell pepper since they are much larger and thicker than cubanelles.
- Cucumbers: I used 3 small, thin skinned cucumbers. I would recommend them if they are available. No need to peel or seed them!
Aish says
So yum and healthy. Definitely a summer favorite
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thanks! š
GiGi says
YUM! I love this!!!!
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thank you!
Willow says
This is perfect for the hot Summer days we have been experiencing here in Tucson. It has been in the 100s! I just got back from cooler weather in Colorado so a cool refreshing soup sounds like what I need!
justalittlebitofbacon says
As a New England girl, I’d think I would melt at 100+. Cold soup would help though. š
Priya says
Loved the idea of serving this soup in glasses..looks fantastic.. love the idea of adding cucumbers in it.
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thanks! I love cucumber in gazpacho. I hope you try it.
Lisa says
Oh my goodness…this looks fantastic! And all the main ingredients can be found at our local farmers market! Guess I’d better start making my list! ?
justalittlebitofbacon says
Yep. That’s where I find everything for the soup. Local, simple, and refreshing!
Dahn says
This is such a refreshing soup for summer. I love how you have served them so elegantly
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thank you! It’s fun serving cold soups in glasses. š
Emma says
I looooooooooooooove Gazpacho. Perfect summer soup! Love that you’ve added cucumber too. Great idea!
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thanks! I’m a big fan of cucumber in gazpacho. And nothing like a cold soup when the weather is in the 90s. š Like today.