Creamy Melon Gazpacho Recipes

CREAMY GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Place the bread in a large bowl. Pour the reserved tomato juice over the stale bread and set it aside for at least 10 minutes. Not only will this soften the bread, but also infuse it with the tomato flavor.
• In a food processor or a powerful blender, add all of the chopped vegetables. Puree the vegetables until they start to breakdown.
• Add the bread and the sherry vinegar to the blender. Turn the blender on and stream in the olive oil. Puree the mixture until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning. If the consistency is too thick, add water or more vinegar if you like, to adjust the thickness. Place the gazpacho into the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to marry with one another.
• Serve the gazpacho in glasses, like they do in Spain, or you can serve it in bowls if you prefer.
• Cook's Notes: To make your gazpacho spicier, add some of the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno. You can adjust the oil and vinegar in this recipe to make it tangier if you like!
• Gazpacho gets better the longer that it sits.

WATERMELON GAZPACHO WITH FETA CREMA

Steps:

• Gazpacho:
• Purée watermelon, tomato, cucumber, jalapeño, oil, and vinegar in a blender until smooth.
• Transfer gazpacho to a large bowl; season with kosher salt and pepper. Cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving.
• Do ahead: Gazpacho can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Crema and assembly:
• Preheat oven to 350°. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. (Alternatively, you can do this step in a dry small skillet over medium heat.) Let almonds cool, then coarsely chop.
• Mash feta into sour cream in a small bowl until mostly smooth, then whisk in milk.
• Divide watermelon and cucumber among bowls and pour gazpacho over. Top with crema and almonds, drizzle with oil, and season with sea salt and pepper.
• Do ahead: Crema can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

CREAMY MELON GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Pour 1 1/2 cups cold water over bread in bowl. Set aside 10 minutes to soak.
• Blend softened bread and water in blender until smooth. Add cantaloupe, cucumber, shallot, sherry, oil, and lemon juice; blend until smooth.
• Strain through fine sieve for smooth consistency, if desired, and discard solids. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Chill 2 hours, or overnight. Serve sprinkled with smoked paprika.