Gazpacho Soup

Gazpacho is a tomato-based, raw vegetable soup & is widely consumed in the Spanish cuisine. It is mostly consumed during the summer months, due to its refreshing qualities and cold serving temperature. You can say it’s a salad in a blender :)

Ingredients (serves 4)
For Soup
3 cups ripe tomatoes chopped
1 cup peeled chopped cucumber
1 cup red capsicum finely chopped
1/2 cup red onion chopped
1/2 cup celery stick
4 cloves fresh garlic (optional)
1 tbsp Tabasco sauce OR 1/2 small hot green chilli
salt according to taste
1/4 cup cold water or more for desired consistency
1 tsp vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp sugar

For Garnish
1/2 cup finely diced ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup finely diced chopped green pepper
1/3 cup celery stick finely diced along with leaves
1/2 cup cucumber chopped finely
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch of salt

Method
For soup
Place all ingredients in the blender and pulse to the desired consistency.
Some people like their gazpacho smooth and creamy. Some people prefer a rustic consistency.

How to Proceed
Toss all ingredients of garnish in a bowl.
Add half of this mixture into the blended mixture and place soup in the fridge until completely chilled.
Allow at least a few hours for the flavours to fully infuse.
Pour in bowls or glasses. Garnish with remaining mixture and serve.

Tips
I made this soup without garlic & my family loved it, will be making it more often :)
Original recipe had grated avocado in garnish but I was out of it.
You can serve it with grilled French bread.
You can even leave this soup overnight as it gets better with age like a fine Spanish wine.