For a few days this summer we had cooler weather and I actually turned off the air conditioner. But I knew it was only a matter of time before we would hit hot temperatures again. Welcome to August! Not only is it hot, it’s super humid. Some parts of the country are even hotter with temperatures over 100°. Ouch.
The last thing I want to do when it’s hot out is cook over the stove…or even the grill. My menus include anything cold. If I have to cook, I try to do it early in the day, so the kitchen isn’t hot as we gather around the table. My go-to hot-summer-night menu often includes refreshing cold soups and crisp chilled salads.
Fresh, just picked, vegetables are abundant in the late summer, so I try to use as many as possible for every dinner. Getting our five servings of fruit and vegetables a day is easy with soups and salads. And I love the variety of fruit and veggies that end up in my bowl and plate. Even the added fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, dill or cilantro add not only fabulous flavor but also even more healthy nutrients.
My family loves soup of all kinds. That’s a good thing because that’s what I’ll be serving quite a lot during this heat wave! Cold soup is one of the easiest dishes to make. When folks think of gazpacho they think of cold tomato soup but the term “gazpacho” refers to any cold soup made from raw fruits and vegetables. I love the variety of cold soup recipes that use everything from tomatoes to peaches! Chop, blend and chill. Get out your mixer or food processor and let’s make something delicious, nutritious and hydrating.
6 Tips For Gazpacho Greatness!
- Ingredients Matter: Using peak of season ingredients produces the best tasting soup. This is not to say canned tomatoes and aren’t fine, but you’ll really appreciate the flavor more when using just picked fruits and veggies. This is true of the herbs as well. Even the color of the soup is more vibrant.
- Smooth or Chunky: I’m not talking about peanut butter, but the consistency of the soup. I like most of my cold soups a little chunky. I chop the veggies part way, separate out about half, and then puree the remaining soup. Once it is smooth, I add back in the chunky part for more texture and bulk. There are some soups like this lovely Chilled Melon and Cucumber Soup that is best when blended to a silky smooth consistency.
- Resist and Refrigerate: As yummy as that first spoonful of soup is, letting your soup rest in the refrigerator allows the flavors to deepen. That’s why gazpacho is such a great make-ahead recipe. Make it in the morning to serve on hot summer nights and/or it’s ready to serve when you entertain.
- Great and Gorgeous Garnish: Presentation is important! Top your soup with a garnish. Historically gazpacho was made with bread. Most recipes that I favor don’t include the bread in the body of the soup, but I do like topping my soups with croutons. Other favorite garnishes include diced peaches, red peppers, avocado and cucumbers. More of our favorites include seeds such as pumpkin seeds and crumbled cheeses like goat cheese or feta. Slice up some fresh herbs to sprinkle on the top for added color, aroma and flavor.
- Serve it Cold: Put your bowls in the refrigerator to make sure the soup stays nice and chilled when you serve it. I’ve used everything from mason jars to pretty glasses to mugs as well as bowls to serve my cold soups. Impress your guests by offering glasses of gazpacho topped with a garnish at your next summer get-together for an easy and pretty appetizer.
- Enjoy for More: Pour individual servings in mason jars. Pack them for a picnic for easy transport or enjoy one each day for a delightful and nutritious lunch.
Fun Fact: When referencing soup, “Chilled” means it’s a soup that has been cooked and then chilled to a cold temperature versus “Cold,” which indicates a blended soup made entirely of raw ingredients.
Keep It Cool With These Recipes!
Search for more delightful gazpacho recipes in your DinnerTime Recipe Box.
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A classic nutritious and hydrating tasty cold soup.
Easy and fun!
Cold and refreshing with a little bit of heat from the jalapeño!