So here’s the deal.
I’m a pretty rational person.
Wait.
Everyone in the world who knows me just dropped their jaw to the floor. And they are laughing hysterically. And crying. And rolling their eyes. All at once. Geez, these people are talented.
Maybe rational is not the right word? Definitely not.
Normal? No. That doesn’t work either. Traditional? That sort of works. To a point.
Whatever. You’ll get my drift. What I’m trying to say is that soup = hot. It’s just a thing. Soup is hot. Soup is not cold. I’m sorry world, but a chilled soup is not a real soup. It just can’t be.
And while I have had a taste or two of some pretty decent gazpacho, do you seriously think I could whole-heartedly enjoy a bowl of severely PUREED VEGETABLES?
Right. That’s what I thought.
The only time that is acceptable is when it comes accompanied by a large salt-rimmed glass of tequila plus citrus and a wicker basket of authentically thin and freshly fried blue corn chips piled with coarse salt.
Nowwwww we’re talking.
So in order to do this thing, I have to add fruit. I try to make it as non-vegetably as I can, then I eat it with about four toasted crostinis blanketed with oozing brie. Or something like that.
You know I’m all about trashing up the classics, and this one – topped with creamy avocado chunks, lots of salt, fresh peaches and a bunch of cilantro (don’t be a hater) – is one of my current favorites. I don’t think I can call it soup… but we’ll see how this relationship progresses.
Strawberry Peach Gazpacho
Yield: serves 6-8 as a starter
Ingredients:
1 large seedless cucumber, chopped
10-12 large strawberries, chopped
2 ripe peaches, peeled and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
4 medium tomatoes, somewhat seeded (squeeze the seeds out) and chopped
4 cups tomato juice
1/4 cup dry sherry
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 avocado, chopped
fresh cilantro for topping
salt + pepper to taste
Directions:
Once the cucumbers, strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, onions and jalapeno are roughly chopped, add each vegetable/fruit one at a time to the bowl of a food processor and pulse 3-4 times to chop a bit more. Remove and add each to one large bowl. Once the cucumbers, strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, onions and peppers are in the bowl, mix thoroughly with a spoon, then place half of the mixture back into the food processor, blending until smooth. Mix the puree with the chopped fruit/veg, then add in the tomato sauce, sherry, olive oil and worcestershire sauce. Taste, then season with salt and pepper. If possible, let sit for a few hours (refrigerated) before serving.
When ready to serve, garnish with additional peach cubes, chopped avocado, cilantro and a sprinkling of salt.
[adapted from traverse magazine]
Messy is my middle name.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
I love gazpazho, but I call it a drink, ha! It´s in the same area as a thick, chunky bloody mary. Never thought of adding peaches, but I guess it works! I need to remember this recipe when the heat starts melting everything. By the way, sherry for the vinegar? See, it is a drink!
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:20 pm
I agree with it as a drink too – like tiny little shots!
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I don’t know that I’ve had gazpacho before. (I know, the horror!) This looks like the perfect starter recipe to edge me in!
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I love gazpacho! I had a yellow watermelon and tomato gazpacho while staying at an Inn on the Chesapeake Bay a couple of years ago, that was the first time I ever had it and oh my gosh I fell in love with it! Your recipe is kind of like there’s, so I can’t wait to try it!!!
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This looks so good! I just got back from a cruise, and we had something similar as an appetizer one night at dinner.
And P.S. we also had margaritas with fresh watermelon in them. They were amazing. If you could recreate those for me, I would love you forever. ;)
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:20 pm
A restaurant around me makes a watermelon martini which is one of my favorite drinks. I think I need to create the margarita. Yes yes… I am doing it when I get home!
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Totally agree on the gazpacho… I have a hard time eating it. I feel like it should be hot with a grilled cheese dipped in, or have some vodka and a stalk of celery in it ;) But this I think I could get in to. Great idea!!!!
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you forgot hysterically funny person too!
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These little cups you have are so cute! Love the sound of this, and all the flavours you’ve blended. I’m not a big cold soup person either, but now that I love veggie juices so much (not V8, but actual REAL veg juice, as in pressed straight from the veg itself), gazpacho is growing on me. Great photos!
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Yeah, I’m with you on the cold soup thing. Add some fruit, though, and I might be able to get on board. It sure is pretty, though!
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I knew I should’ve waited to use up those last three peaches! They got grilled last night and they could’ve been in this gazpacho. I love gazpacho, but the fruit in here makes it a whole different experience.
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:19 pm
OMG… grilled peach gazpacho. Make it happen.
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I’m the same way with cold soup. Although I did try a chilled cantaloupe soup once. That was good. But again, it had fruit, so it was more like smoothie than soup to me.
I feel like this gazpacho could also be used as a dip. Might have to try that!
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:18 pm
I reallllllly want a chilled cantaloupe soup!
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I can’t do the cold soup thing either, but with the fruit, I can totally get on board!
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I am sorry, but I just can’t do the cold soup thing. I don’t care if it’s 109 degrees outside. Soup is hot. Your recipe sounds amazingly complex, flavor-wise, though.
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I’ve always been on the “soup is hot” bandwagon myself…but this ALMOST makes me think I could try cold soup.
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I want to steal those little white cups!! And then slurp these all up…er…down?
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I agree with the cold soup thing ICK though you may have changed my mind! these photos are gorgeous
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Soup or not, this sounds delicious! It’s like a liquid version of your famous fruit salsas!
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you are my hero. the end.
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this gazpacho looks delicious! and since i’m currently obsessed with peaches right now i love this even more.
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Looks gorgeous, fresh, and… vegetable-y. And it still looks delicious despite the vegetable-y-ness. (That’s a word, right?
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:17 pm
Definitely a word. At least in this universe.
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I had a blueberry pineapple gazpacho the other day and it was GREAT! I ate it outside on a cute little 2-person table (with another person so I didn’t look like a loser), and it tasted even better that way! Tasted like summer was finally here.
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
Blueberry pineapple?! OMG.
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
Wait did you make it? Recipe?
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Nicole — July 26th, 2012 @ 10:10 am
No, it was at a little sandwich shop in Newburyport, Mass. I can’t even google a recipe that comes close! People apparently prefer broccoli pineapple gazpacho?!
These pictures are gorgeous!!! I’m definitely craving some salty tortilla chips now… we’ll see if that gazpacho grows on me!
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
Thank you!
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I had gazpacho for the first time recently on a cruise ship. It’s so perfect for summer!
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gorgeous and I have so much summer fruit burning a hole on my cupboard – any ideas like these are welcome!
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I have never had an inkling to actually try gazpacho. I think it’s my aversion to V8 type juices. BUT perhaps with a butt load of fruit in it, I could potentially enjoy this. :)
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
Trust me… I loathe V8. I’ve never tried it alone and I loathe it. I promise this does not taste like it. I think.
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I want this for dinner. Like, today!
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This is something I’ve got to try. It looks so good.
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Approved. Fruit + avo + margs, hi, let’s make margs.
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:14 pm
Don’t have to ask me twice.
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I’ve never, ever had gazpacho, but that avocado you put on top put me over the edge – now I’m intrigued.
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Jessica — July 25th, 2012 @ 11:13 pm
Try it with fruit first! Seriously.
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Dear Messy,
My oh my this looks good!
Making it this weekend and not sharing it with ANYONE…
xxoo,
RMW
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I love this!! I have never combined strawberries and peaches before…you rock!
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Beautiful and the perfect Summer soup!
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Yep, this definitely looks like something I need to get my hands on like, immediately. I’m kind of on the fence about mixing veggies and fruit… but if you’re all about it, I bet I could make it work.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, lady!
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I don’t know how you do it Jessica. On vacation and you have time to blog? AHHMAZIMG. I have a hard enough time doing that when Im home all day… You are my idol. :)
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sounds delicious, Jessica! I am not a huge fan of cold tomato soup (aka REGular gazpacho) so this one sounds delicious with the fruit added in there!
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Yum! I would eat that for sure!
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I’m not usually a gazpacho girl, but this may have just sold me on it!
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My favorite…I mean, the only Gazpacho I have ever loved is at The Real Seafood Co. in Ann Arbor…topped with a lump of crab and a ginormous shrimp it is divine! However, I think my VitaPrep is going to be giving this a try…you score again!
And, can I just thank you for your unbelievable faithfulness to us readers in both your quantity AND quality of posts? Well, I’m going to: THANK YOU!! I do not have another blog that I LOVE to read as much as yours, and on top of the hilarious writing, your recipes are some of my very favorites!! Thank you for your amazing, unreal dedication to us…you rock!
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Looks interesting! I’m not a fan of pureed COLD vegetable soup, either! I’d like to try it without the avocado :)
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Oh with avocado & parsley….so refreshing!
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This looks fabulicious and I can’t wait to make! I love, love, love your blog!!! BTW…just curious, and please excuse my ignorance in advance…:), my brother eats strictly vegan…is this a vegan recipe? I have no clue, but if it is or could be adjusted, I KNOW he’d LOVE it too! Thanks!!!
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Jessica — July 27th, 2012 @ 7:12 am
It actually is vegan! Totally unintentional.
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I have to comment, I totally agree with you. Soup is just another word for hot, I’ve never figured out gazpachos and I can’t go near a bloody mary but throw in a chip and I’ll probably try it :)
Nice post..
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Hello Jess
This is just as fab with a sweet red pepper for those who don’t like jalapeño peppers. ( I don’t like chilli peppers!)
Made a good cold fruit soup the other day – had this on one of the Greek islands -
Take 1/4 of a large water melon de-seed it put in blender with 6oz stoned black cherries, 6oz fresh or frozen raspberries, 6 – 8 oz strawberries and 1tablespoon of strawberry jam conserve or same of sugar or sweetner according to your taste then just whizz together and serve in long / tall glasses and top over ice with fruit or mint to garnish. It’s also excellent over ice cream or meringues.
Enjoy!
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Ps you could put any type of fruit in this soup it would work well with peaches, nectarines and apricots instead of strawberries and raspberries
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I saw this and thought it could be good. I was bored, so I made it and its pretty faboo. It really does make you basically want to give up on the day sit out side and guzzle drinks while slurping this down though :)
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