Since moving to NYC I have been fortunate enough to make some really nice friends. Tana is one of them and more recent than others, at our first coffee a couple of weeks ago she told me that she was moving back to Spain. I was a little sad but I know we will keep in contact. She is a very talented artist amongst other things, her blog www.tanukidrawings.com keeps me amused for hours. Her work is funny, smart, poignant and beautifully creative.
Anyway, aside from the visual entertainment she provides, she gave me this recipe for Gazpacho, the Spanish kind that originates from the region of Andalusia. Gazpacho is a raw tomato based soup that is served chilled and is consequently best eaten in the heat of a Summers day.
There are not so many ingredients and being raw, once you prep the vegetables, it takes two minutes to liquidise in your blender or food processor – easy peasy, fast and fresh!
So it is bon voyage to my new friend – it has been short and sweet but real. xx
PS. This gazpacho really is the best!
Ingredients
1 Kilo/2 pounds tomatoes (preferable plum tomatoes)
1/2 small onion (60 grams)
1 small green pepper
1 small cucumber (the small chubby Spanish type)
1 small cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
200 grams of day old baguette
Small portions of diced tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumber, onion and bread or croutons to sprinkle on top.
Place tomatoes in a pot of simmering water and cook until skins start to split, remove immediately and allow to cool before peeling off skin and roughly dicing.
Tear the baguette into a couple of pieces and place in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
Put the tomatoes, onion, pepper, cucumber, vinegar, oil, baguette and half a cup of water into a blender or liquidizer and blend for a good couple of minutes till completely smooth.
Put the mixture into a bowl, add salt and pepper and leave the gazpacho to chill for at least an hour or even longer – the colder the better. Serve the gazpacho in bowls, with the portions of diced tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, onion and croutons on the side.
Source: Tana (a new New York friend)
© 2011, Michelle. All rights reserved.
