With the heat of summer now upon us it's time to get out the recipes for chilled "soups".
The piece de resistance of my good lady wife, Rita, is this trio of cold "soups":
- porra/gazpacho (tomato-based)
- Gurkensuppe (cucumber-based)
- ajoblanco (garlic-based).
Porra/gazpacho
Porra is a thicker version of the ubiquitous gazpacho. I prefer it.
Bulked up with stale bread and blended it's a refreshing starter.
[Directo al Paladar]
Recipe
Ingredients - for 6 people
-
tomatoes 1 kg
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stale white bread soaked in water 400 g
-
extra virgin olive oil (aove) 175 ml
-
red pepper
-
green pepper
-
cloves of garlic 2
-
salt 1 soup spoon
-
sherry vinegar 3 teaspoons
-
jamón serrano as garnish
-
hard-boiled egg as garnish
Method - degree of difficulty: easy
-
total time 45 min
-
preparation 15 min
-
resting time 30 min
- Start by blending the ingredients, to achieve a fine vegetable cream.
- Then add the olive oil beating carefully to obtain a very thick emulsion.
- You should be able to stand a spoon upright in the mixture.
- Place the peeled and finely chopped tomatoes in the blender together with both types of pepper and the garlic cloves.
- Blend in short bursts so the the mixture is homogeneous.
- Add the vinegar and bread so that the porra remains thick
- Add a spoonful of salt and blend further.
- Thicken further by adding the olive oil with the blender at intermediate speed
- The porra is now ready. Allow to rest for 30 minutes in the fridge before serving.
***
Sopa fria de pepino
A cold cucumber "soup", this is a firm favourite to kick off a summer time dinner of salad.
[Make Cuisine]
Recipe
To prepare a refreshing cold cucumber soup use only fresh quality ingredients..
- pepinos
- natural yoghurt or fresh cream
- a tiny amount of fresh coriander or dill
- lemon or lime juice
- garlic, onion or a little ginger
- salt, pepper and a glug of olive oil
Method
- Wash the cucumbers and chop into small pieces to facilitate their processing. Peel the cucumbers for a smoother and less bitter taste.
- Blend the ingredients. Place the cucumber pieces in a blender with the yoghurt, a clove of garlic, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- Blend until homogenous and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a little cold water or icecubes to cool the soup and adjust the texture.
- Once the mixture is ready, refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
- Before serving, garnish with slices of cucumber, mint leaves or a further glug of yoghurt as a finishing touch.
***
Ajoblanco
Sounds like a recipe for smelly breath. Yet it isn't at all. Delicious as the start to a light summer meal.
[spanishsabores]
Recipe
Ingredients
-
7 cups vegetable or chicken broth
-
2 tbsp. olive oil
-
1 large onion
-
15 cloves of garlic
-
1/2 tsp. salt
-
1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
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6 slices of stale white bread
-
1 spring onion
-
1/3 cup sour cream (optional)
Method - 6-8 servings
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Measure the broth into a large microwave-safe bowl and put it in the microwave for 7 minutes.
-
Put a large pan on medium heat with the olive oil. As it heats, peel and roughly chop the onion. Add it to the olive oil and stir.
-
Stir the onion occasionally as you peel and chop the garlic cloves. Add to the pan and cook stirring continuously for 1 minute. Season with the salt and pepper and add the heated broth. Stir and cover. Increase heat to high.
-
Chop the bread into 1/2 inch cubes. Add to the soup and stir. Put the lid back on.
-
Chop the greens of the spring onion. Set aside.
-
Once the soup is simmering and the bread is well-soaked, transfer soup in batches to a blender and puree until very smooth. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
-
Allow to cool completely and then place in fridge for at least one hour.
-
Ladle into bowls and top each with some of the sour cream, if using, and chopped spring onions.
***
The "Trio"
The idea of serving three small portions of each "soup" came about prior to a dinner party with friends.
It went down so well that it became part of Rita's repertoire and is now a firm summer favourite.
See what you think!
© Rita Whitelock MMXXVI
Pictures:
Directo al Paladar, Make Cuisine, spanishsabores
Thanks:
cookthestory.com, Directo al Paladar, Google, Make Cuisine, Paul Whitelock (translations from German and Spanish), spanishsabores
Tags:
ajoblanco, chilled soup, cookthestory.com, Directo al Paladar, gazpacho, Google, Make Cuisine, Paul Whitelock, porra, Rita, Serrania Kitchen, sopa fria de pepino, soup, spanishsabores, trio of cold soups,