Watermelon Gazpacho!
A refreshingly vibrant and attractive summer cooler with a sumptuous and wholesome texture! A refreshing blend of sweetness and health with a light sprinkle of pepper to spike it up and a garnish including finely diced cucumber n onions to lend that crunchy fullness every-time you savour a spoonful or just a delicate sip.
Serve chilled in any crockery of choice or simply pour into a martini glass. Tipplers out there…go ahead and unabashedly splash vodka n rock your martini!
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| Course | Soup n Salad / Appetizer |
| Servings | 4 (makes 4 cups) |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | Nil |
Ingredients for the Watermelon Gazpacho(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)
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| 525 gms (about 4 cups) | Watermelon diced (preferably remove seeds) |
| 1 | Green cucumber, sliced |
| ¼th | Sliced red bell pepper |
| 1 – 2 | Tomatoes |
| 2 | Fresh red chilies |
| 6 – 8 slices | Jalapenos |
| 2 – 3 cloves | Garlic |
| 1/3rd Cup | Spring onions |
| 3 – 4 | Basil leaves |
| 8 – 10 | Mint leaves |
| ½ tsp | Black salt (optional) |
| Juice of one lemon (Indian size) | |
| 1 tbsp | Red wine vinegar |
| 2 – 3 tbsp | Olive oil |
| Salt to taste | |
| Black pepper to taste | |
Ingredients for Garnish(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml) |
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| 4 tbsp | Finely chopped cucumber |
| 4 tbsp | Finely chopped spring onion greens |
| 4 tbsp | Olive oil |
Instructions for the Watermelon Gazpacho |
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| 1. | Blend all ingredients (except the ones for garnish) in a mixer.
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| 2. | Check the seasonings and adjust the quantities of lemon juice, salt, chili, jalapenos as per your taste. (The watermelon I used was very sweet, hence I added a full lemon along with the jalapenos. I also prefer it tangier). |
| 3. | Blend it until smooth. Do not strain. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 hours. |
| 4. | Serve chilled. Garnish with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp cucumber, 1 tbsp spring onion greens, crushed pepper, in each cup. |
Notes: |
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| 1. | For those of you having access to avocados can add chopped, diced avocados as garnish. Also garnish with microgreens. |
| 2. | For those not having red wine vinegar just skip it and add more lemon juice. |
| 3. | Those of you who prefer a sweeter taste can add 1 tsp sugar. However, in summer watermelons are very sweet. |
| 4. | Please feel free to substitute the red capsicum with green if it’s unavailable. In case of jalapeños not available use one green chilli. Taste and feel free to add ingredients available with you. |
| 5. | I have left the consistency of this soup like that of a shorba as I like it slightly chunky. In case you want it smooth please blend it for a longer time. |
