Gazpacho Soup for a Hot Summer Day

While we prep the vegetables, we place the Mott’s Garden Cocktail in the freezer to get it cold.

The majority of the prep work is cutting and scooping out seeds from each of the vegetables.

In this gazpacho recipe, we favour tomatoes with a firm texture instead of being mushy. Typically, we opt for beefsteak tomatoes as they provided the desired firmness in our previous gazpacho soup attempt. However, this time around, the beefsteak tomatoes are mushy. So Hubs went ahead and bought some Roma tomatoes to compare. As you see below on the left, they’re the perfect firm consistency we’re looking for.

Sometimes, you just never know what you’ll get until you cut them open and scoop them out! By the way, if you love fresh local summer tomatoes, you have to try our  savoury tomato shallot clafoutis for brunch one day! 

Thanks to Hubs’ culinary school training, he excels at cutting the ingredients into consistent pieces. This attention to detail adds to the overall presentation.

Just like the tomatoes, scoop the seeds out of the cucumber too.

Cut the cucumbers into planks and then into smaller pieces.

We love the crunch that red pepper adds to our gazpacho. To incorporate this ingredient, again remove the seeds and cut it into even, bite-sized pieces. This ensures a satisfying texture in each spoonful.

While we used to enjoy raw onion, our taste preferences have changed (my husband even developed the best French Onion Soup Recipe). To temper the pungency and enhance the flavor, we lightly sweat the onion and garlic and let cool before adding them to the gazpacho.

Adding salt to the vegetables initiates the release of their natural liquids after a few minutes. This process enhances the overall flavor and helps create a well-balanced gazpacho.

Then you can add a whole bottle of Garden Cocktail. Depending on the tomato juice you buy, that can be anywhere from 5 - 8 cups.

To allow the flavors to meld and develop fully, cover the gazpacho soup and let it chill. We recommend using a silicone lid that fits snugly to ensure optimal freshness. Looks like we need a larger silicone lid for this bowl!

Beyond its taste, gazpacho is also a feast for the eyes. The vibrant colours of the fresh ingredients come together beautifully, making this chilled soup a visually appealing dish that delights both the taste buds and the senses.

Perfect for a hot summer day!

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