Tomatoes rhyme with gazpacho

July 15, 2010

Lulu looked at me, then she opened her mouth, keen to take the spoonful of gazpacho I was holding in front of her. I was watching her carefully, curious to find out what would happen next. Her face stretched into a grin and a funny-sounding laughter escaped through her lips, one that seemed to tell me “Tu plaisantes maman?” (Are you joking mummy?)

gazpacho

“Oh oh, de la gaspacho, ma Lulu!” I exclaimed. “Essaie !” (Try)! “Tu n’aimes pas?” (Don’t you like it?)

She was eating the soup for the first time, so I didn’t worry if she didn’t seem to like it. I knew that one day, when feeling ready, she’d come back to it. And enjoy the flavors of the soup that rhyme so magically well with summer. Suffice to look at all this eye-catching red!

She pointed at the bowl of radishes on the table instead.

“Tu préfères un radis ?” (Do you prefer a radish?) I asked, holding a pink radish to her. She took it from my hand without hesitation, murmuring a Thank you in her own words, and then she bit into the radish. Happy now, it was obvious.

I grabbed one too and we both sat at the dining room table by the back garden, busy eating our radishes with contentment, appreciating the crunchiness and peppery taste that the food released on our tongues.

Lightly seared salmon and a pot of warm brown rice cooked with marjoram, cumin, cream, peas and watercress were following–foods she never says no to either.

Just like the fresh raspberry and custard tart I had baked in the morning.

As to P. and I, we were thankful for the pot of gazpacho I had prepared. A large pot with colorful toppings to give more body to the soup.

“Miam, c’est super bon,” P. said after a taste. (Yum, it’s delicious!) I had found beautiful organic tomatoes that had the name gazpacho written all over them. So gazpacho there was. Plenty of it, in fact, in the week that followed.

The first time I prepared the soup, I used leftovers of brioche previously soaked in water. The next time–this recipe–I decided to skip the brioche, and served the soup with toppings that included fresh corn and diced avocado. We had enough for two days, which is always a bonus with a food like gazpacho as flavors will have had the time to develop.

I am still not sure which recipe I preferred. They were different but similar at the same time–I am sure you have your own variant too, non? Both were a refreshing way to start our meal. Ideal for the warm temperatures of the day. Summer.

Of course, the best tomatoes make the best gazpacho. Which means that gazpacho is really at ist best when prepared during summer. En été.

I remember that when I was still living with my parents, my mother never bought out of season produce. I remember that she always made a point about it even more at times when I’d beg for strawberries during winter. In the French countryside where I grew up, it was hard to find them anyway. So we ate seasonal food. In summer, vegetables that grew in the garden, like peas, salad, haricots verts, carrots, beets, zucchini, radish.

And tomatoes. Des tomates.

Oh homegrown tomatoes!

They simply stand out, don’t they?

heirloom tomatoes gazapacho spanish

Make a large pot and serve it as an appetizer or a main course for a light meal. Or serve the soup in shot glasses, as an amuse-bouche to start a meal. I’ve done this many times, and it’s always something our friends enjoy.

We all do.

Gazpacho

For 4 to 6 people, according to serving size

You need:

For the cold soup:

  • 2 1/4 pounds ripe tomatoes
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 English cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • 1/4 red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • Sea salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper
  • Dash of chili flakes

For the topping:

  • Reserved cucumber, diced
  • 8 cherry tomatoes, diced finely
  • 2 hard boiled eggs, crumbled
  • 1 ear of corn, blanched and kernels sliced off
  • 1/2 avocado, diced finely
  • 1 small shallot, chopped finely
  • Olive oil


Steps:

  • To make the soup, blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute. Rinse them under cold water to cool them and stop the cooking process. Peel, core, seed and dice them.
  • In the bowl of your food processor, combine the tomatoes, pepper, 3/4 of the cucumber, onion, garlic, tarragon and a dash of chili flakes. Blend until very smooth in texture. Stir in the sherry vinegar, olive oil, season with salt and pepper and transfer to a container. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours, or overnight so that the flavors develop even more.
  • Serve the soup in bowls and top with a mixture of hard boiled egg, chopped tomato, cucumber, avocado, shallot and corn. Add a drizzle of of olive oil and season with more salt or pepper and oil if necessary.
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Tagged as: Appetizers , Gluten Free , Life and Us , Soup , Vegetarian
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50 Comments »

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  1. It’s amazing how well children will eat if they’re exposed to good food at a young age. Bravo to you for taking the time to prepare and share the gift of real food. (I say this as a childhood victim of Sunbeam bread, Kraft cheese and Devil Dogs) She’ll be so much better off later in life to have developed good, healthy eating habits. And the soup-it looks phenomenal.

    Comment by El — On July, 15th, 2010 at 9:16 pm

  2. I am dizzy with so many gazpacho recipes blogging around. I do not have a recipe to call my own. I guess I will have to hunker down this weekend and gazpach’. I do like the shot glass idea very much. What a joyful way to start a nice long meal. Happy summer to you and your family.

    Comment by Tracy — On July, 15th, 2010 at 9:17 pm

  3. Have been immersed in gazpacho too! Just posted about it, also. It’s hard not to think about refreshing, summer vegetables in July. Almost criminal not to. Cheers!

    Comment by A Plum By Any Other Name — On July, 15th, 2010 at 9:54 pm

  4. This is the first time I’ve seen a gazpacho recipe with so many wonderful toppings! It’s wonderful that there has been a re-emergence of so many interesting, unique and flavorful heirloom varieties at farmer’s markets in the past decade. This looks like a great recipe.

    Comment by Christine @ Fresh Local and Best — On July, 15th, 2010 at 10:38 pm

  5. love yr photo~

    cute color and yummy food~~

    Comment by YOYO love cooking — On July, 15th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

  6. bein la…. il y a tout qui me plait :) les photos, la recette, l’histoire bref tout !! belle journee !

    Comment by corinne — On July, 15th, 2010 at 11:28 pm

  7. your blog is such a lovely breath of fresh air. i’ve been a long-time reader and find each post more inspirational than the last. if you’d be so kind, i’d absolutely love to find out where you found your beautiful cake stand. x

    Comment by cupcakes and cashmere — On July, 15th, 2010 at 11:47 pm

  8. love the vibrant color in the dishes and food!

    Comment by kat — On July, 16th, 2010 at 12:03 am

  9. Notre voisin a juste déposé trois énormes tomates sur le mur de notre jardin…

    Comment by Nathalie (spacedlaw) — On July, 16th, 2010 at 12:27 am

  10. nice photos and recipe

    Comment by sab — On July, 16th, 2010 at 1:56 am

  11. I adore gazpacho. Yours looks splendid and so do you atmospheric summer pictures!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Comment by Rosa — On July, 16th, 2010 at 1:56 am

  12. le gazpacho, la soupe idéale pendant les grosses chaleurs … Je suis sûre que Lulu l’appréciera plus tard, autant que les radis ! j’adore ta vaisselle :-)

    Comment by argone — On July, 16th, 2010 at 2:27 am

  13. I can never get enough of your blog. Beautiful pictures and stunning recipe. Wish it was summer here in SA…
    Robyn

    Comment by Koek! — On July, 16th, 2010 at 3:05 am

  14. (i mistakenly posted this comment on the previous blog post! oops!! …i meant to put it here!)

    the second pic on this post is probably one of my fav photographs you’ve ever taken. very much the essence of summer colors!

    p.s. that cake stand is the cutest thing ever!!!

    Comment by boogie — On July, 16th, 2010 at 3:51 am

  15. It looks delicious, it´s my summer drink almost everyday to be fresh :)

    Comment by Marta — On July, 16th, 2010 at 3:57 am

  16. Beautiful raspberry tart and tart stand! Where did you get the stand?

    Comment by Lisa@Tarte du Jour — On July, 16th, 2010 at 8:26 am

  17. What is the name of your china pattern? And what are the cups called? They’re beautiful!

    Comment by Kayla — On July, 16th, 2010 at 8:45 am

  18. Le jardin à l’air superbe! Really happy to see that the new home is working out so well, and we just had gazpacho the other day at a restaurant which set us both off on how we like our gazpacho in terms of taste and texture. Je prendrais bien un morceau de tarte aussi. =)

    Comment by Hilda — On July, 16th, 2010 at 9:34 am

  19. I recognize the bowls with the thin green border and red china pattern, they come from Anthropologie, I love that store!

    http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=&id=78712&catId=HOME-TABLETOP-DINNERWARE&pushId=HOME-TABLETOP-DINNERWARE&popId=HOME-TABLETOP&sortProperties=&navCount=200&navAction=middle&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=red&colorName=RED&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=E

    Comment by Cha — On July, 16th, 2010 at 10:23 am

  20. The colors are amazing…Now if I could get my 3 year old daughter to try a vegetable other than corn!! :) I’m curious to know where you purchased the stunning red soup cups and bowls. Are you willing to share?? I hope so!! Have a lovely weekend.

    Comment by Rose D., Frenchtown, NJ — On July, 16th, 2010 at 10:24 am

  21. Beautiful red post. Red, for me, is summer, non? Love Lulu’s palate, she prefers radishes to tomatoes. It’s great!

    Comment by valérie-jeanne — On July, 16th, 2010 at 10:51 am

  22. Your blog is beautiful…I will definitely be back!

    Comment by Ms. Pearl — On July, 16th, 2010 at 10:54 am

  23. Absolutely gorgeous! Gazpacho sounds perfect right now. Mmmm, and those tomatoes look divine!

    Comment by Cailin — On July, 16th, 2010 at 11:01 am

  24. so excited to try this! have been searching your blog for gazpacho because i am confident that yours will be the best!!

    Comment by pessyh — On July, 16th, 2010 at 5:39 pm

  25. Both versions of the soup look fantastic. Wonderful colors, and so exactly what I crave on a hot night.

    Comment by Katie @ Cozydelicious — On July, 16th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

  26. My husband is a gazpacho-addict so I MUST try this recipe….
    I love the bowls !!! and your little daughter..makes me nostalgic! mine have grown!!!

    Comment by Cristina, from Buenos Aires to Paris — On July, 17th, 2010 at 2:24 am

  27. What a perfect recipe for summer! It sounds fresh and healthy. I love those pictures… they looks so refreshing :)

    Comment by Tes — On July, 17th, 2010 at 7:56 am

  28. These pictures blew me away. I love the pink-coral-orange-red color of the bowls. Those bowls are SOO adorable!

    Comment by Meagan — On July, 17th, 2010 at 8:28 am

  29. Rose D – corn is not a vegetable, it’s a grain!

    Comment by Meagan — On July, 17th, 2010 at 8:29 am

  30. OHhh my! such vibrant colors! I love the way you captured the food and the photographs…i love it so dearly! And ive been searching for a very good gazpacho recipe and am definitely going to try this for sure!

    Comment by meowie labelle — On July, 17th, 2010 at 11:31 am

  31. I’m curious about your brown rice cooked with marjoram, cumin, cream, peas and watercress. When do you add the cream? Do you use it in place of water or add it at the end? Is the marjoram fresh or dried? Thanks! Have been an avid reader and maker of your recipes for years!

    Comment by Vertie — On July, 17th, 2010 at 12:56 pm

  32. What a great recipe you have. I especially like the fresh herbs for the garni. Gazpacho is one of my all time faves. During Lent we eat it and will add shrimp or cooked fish right in. Some fresh bread and a little wine. Les Bon Temps Rouler. Thanks for a wonderful rendition.

    Comment by gowns — On July, 17th, 2010 at 1:20 pm

  33. C’est magnifique! Un vrai moment d’été!

    Comment by Gen — On July, 18th, 2010 at 7:43 am

  34. It’s strange…I’ve never tried gazpacho in my whole life. Looking at these pics make me think otherwise – i have to try it!

    Comment by corey — On July, 18th, 2010 at 10:17 am

  35. Beautiful gazpacho, well photographed and it looks delicious. Good for you for introducing all these wonderful flavors to your child at a young age. I did as well, and to this day they have a passion for food.

    Comment by Sherri — On July, 18th, 2010 at 3:19 pm

  36. Ohh Ohh recipe for the raspberry custard tart?! Looks delicious!!!

    Comment by Anne — On July, 18th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

  37. CHARMING red and white accessories, and the cake stand is trés OTT

    Comment by mademarian — On July, 18th, 2010 at 4:09 pm

  38. Thank you everyone!

    Cups are from Anthropologie and cake stand was purchased in France.

    Comment by Béa — On July, 18th, 2010 at 7:44 pm

  39. That gazpacho looks amazing. What beautiful pictures! I always love your posts.

    Comment by MollyCookie — On July, 18th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

  40. Mon plat de l’été préféré…
    et ce plat à gâteau est superbe!

    Comment by clémence — On July, 19th, 2010 at 12:23 pm

  41. Stunning photos, Bea. Gazpacho is one of my favorite soups and just screams summer. You’ve successfully made me very hungry :) .

    Comment by Xiaolu (6 Bittersweets) — On July, 19th, 2010 at 4:51 pm

  42. [...] Gazpacho, The Perfect Pantry No Cook Recipe -Gazapcho, The Dabble White Gazpacho, The Paupered Chef Gazpacho, La Tartine [...]

    Pingback by Everyday Southwest » “Creamy” Gazpacho with a Southwest Kick – Avocado Meets Tomatoes in this Zesty Version of a Classic Soup — On July, 19th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

  43. Superbe comme d’habitude!
    Pas de recette en français?

    Comment by Mabulle — On July, 22nd, 2010 at 2:32 am

  44. Le recette en français arrive..patience ;-)

    Thanks everyone!

    Comment by Béa — On July, 22nd, 2010 at 7:22 am

  45. Je me régale rien que de lire cet article !

    Comment by Virginie — On July, 23rd, 2010 at 11:55 am

  46. [...] and I more, to cook simple, thoughtful meals with fresh, healthy ingredients, just like she did. (Gazpacho and grilled cheese sandwiches with Gruyere this weekend – YUM.) For his birthday tomorrow I [...]

    Pingback by From Italy With Love « A Loose Garment — On July, 26th, 2010 at 9:02 am

  47. You got me with the Gazpacho, then I saw the tart and my attentions turned to dessert, soup later. Lovely, thank you.

    Comment by tom @ tall clover farm — On July, 27th, 2010 at 11:30 am

  48. Your recipes are always fabulous, and your food styling/photography is gorgeous… but those little red bowls are divine. LOVE.

    Comment by Sylvia — On August, 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm

  49. I made your gazpacho for my family today, and we all loved it very much. Thank you! I will definitely make this particular soup again rather sooner than later.

    Comment by Ingunn — On August, 8th, 2010 at 10:19 am

  50. [...] As I was browing my favorite online cooking site I found this recipe. I can’t wait to try it, while there’s still summer left! http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2010/07/15/tomatoes-rhyme-with-gazpacho/ [...]

    Pingback by Eating Gazpacho in Barcelona « Aimez Les Sucreries — On August, 24th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

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