Watermelon Gazpacho – A Refreshing No-Cook Summer Soup
KEY INFO
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Chill Time: 2 hours
– Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
– Servings: 4-6
– Difficulty: Easy
– Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Raw
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
– Blender or food processor
– Large bowl
– Sharp knife
– Cutting board
– Measuring cups/spoons
Alternative: Hand blender if no standard blender available
INGREDIENTS
Base:
– 4 cups watermelon, cubed (about 600g)
– 3 medium tomatoes (about 400g)
– 1 English cucumber (about 300g)
– 1 red bell pepper
– ¼ small red onion
– 1 garlic clove
Seasonings:
– 3 tbsp olive oil (45ml)
– 2 tbsp sherry vinegar (30ml)
– 1 tsp sea salt
– ½ tsp black pepper
– Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded
Garnish:
– ½ cup diced watermelon
– Fresh basil leaves
– Diced cucumber
– Drizzle of olive oil
METHOD
1. Roughly chop all vegetables into 1-inch chunks
2. Place in blender:
– Watermelon
– Tomatoes
– Cucumber
– Bell pepper
– Red onion
– Garlic
3. Blend until smooth (about 1-2 minutes)
4. While blending, slowly stream in:
– Olive oil
– Vinegar
5. Season with:
– Salt
– Pepper
Blend briefly to combine
6. Chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best results)
7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings
8. Garnish with:
– Reserved diced watermelon
– Fresh basil
– Diced cucumber
– Drizzle of olive oil
CRUCIAL TIPS
– Use ripe, sweet watermelon for best results
– Don’t over-blend – soup should have some texture
– Must be properly chilled – warm gazpacho isn’t pleasant
– Adjust seasoning after chilling as cold dulls flavors
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
– Keeps for 3 days in airtight container
– Don’t freeze
Variations:
– Add cantaloupe for extra sweetness
– Include mint for fresh twist
– Add avocado for creaminess
– Spice it up with extra jalapeño
Common Mistakes:
– Using unripe watermelon
– Skipping the chilling time
– Over-blending to a watery consistency
– Under-seasoning
This gazpacho is perfect for those scorching summer days when you want something light yet satisfying. The key to success is using the ripest watermelon you can find and giving it proper time to chill.
