The andalusian gazpacho.

This is a cold soup which originates in Andalusia. It is based on the agricultural products which the Andalusian summer has to offer.

Ingredients (for 4 persons):

 
6 - 7     big tomatoes

2           green paprikas

1          red paprika

1          pepino

1          garlic toe

Salt, olive oil ???virgen extra" and vinager.

In addition with the ingredients which mentioned above if preferred you can add some union and bread from a day old. If we want to keep the Gazpacho a few days, kept in the refrigerator off course, do NOT add bread or union since these ingredients make the soup to start fermenting in a few hours time.

To garnish:  union, bread and cucumber

How to prepare:

The way to treat the tomato is important to divide the different steps   

1.-  Blanching and peel the tomatoes.-

To start we put our tomatoes in boiling water during one minute. We take them out and submerge them in ice cold water. In this way we can take the skin of the tomato very easy.

Beforehand we made a cut in the tomato in the shape of a cross as can be seen in the Picture. Also we could grind the tomato direct with the skin and later filter it.

2.-  Cut the edges of the paprika and take out the seeds, peel the garlic and peel the cucumber and cut the ends.

Cut all in fine parts and put it in a mixer or blender

3.-  Add salt and vinegar. Careful with the Salt! Concerning the vinegar you might add it with serving so that everybody can decide for themselves if they would like it. Some people do not like it.

 
4.-  Now we have to grind it very well until we have a thick and homogeneous mass. At this moment we add about 30 dl olive oil extra virgen.

5.-  Just before serving we add approximate 3/4 litre of very cold water. When we want to use it later we do not add water until just before serving. In the meantime we keep it in the refrigerator.

6.- When serving, we add 3 plates with union, cucumber and bread.

The Gazpacho, not only is tasteful but also healthy and very nutritious since it contains a huge amount of mineral salts. If we don't add salt or just a bit it also has a 'diuretic' effect.