There are a million gazpacho recipes out there, and it's bold to claim that this is the best, but it is. First of all, it's the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. Secondly, you don't have to measure a thing! So this is barely a recipe, but really a reminder that tasting as you go is the best way of cooking ever.
This is not a traditional gazpacho, which usually calls for garlic, onions, and bell peppers. This is a sweeter, gentler version. I also personally use much less olive oil than traditional recipes too, which often call for 1/4 or 1/2 cup of oil, but add more if you like it.
Make this now, while both watermelon and tomatoes are at their peak. We have at least once a week during prime tomato season!
FOR THE GAZPACHO
🍉 Watermelon, in rough chunks
🍉 Fresh tomatoes, in rough chunks
🍉 Olive oil, a good glug*
🍉 Red wine vinegar, a generous drizzle**
🍉 Salt, a solid pinch
🍉 Honey, just a little bit
🍉 Red pepper flakes, a teeny sprinkle
🍉 Oregano, dried is ok!
FOR GARNISH
🍉 Fresh basil or oregano
🍉 Teeny cucumber cubes
Blend and taste. Adjust, taste and blend again. That's it!
Just remember that cold foods need heavier seasoning than hot foods, so be sure to taste your gazpacho cold before serving.
Chill it as long as you can. There may be some separation as you let it sit, so blending again just before serving might be necessary.
NOTES
I like this gazpacho to be watermelon forward, so I put in 2-3 times as much watermelon as I do tomatoes.
The honey is mostly optional. It depends how sweet your watermelon and tomatoes are. Use less if your fruit is super ripe. I do like to add a teeny bit, just to counter the red wine vinegar.
The red wine vinegar is NOT optional. Please don't skip it. It gives the soup such a bright flavor. If you have a Spanish sherry vinegar handy that would be even better.
*A glug = 1-2 tablespoons
**A drizzle = 1-2 teaspoons
Gazpacho is also typically served in glasses rather than bowls, hence the tumblers.
Usually I'll throw my cucumber seeds into the blender along with the watermelon and tomatoes. Waste not want not!
