Gazpacho? There's a scene in the Pedro Almodovar film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, where gazpacho is offered to the police who come to the apartment of central character, Pepa Marcos.
Candela get me a drink.
What kind?
There's gazpacho.
Right! Gazpacho!
Where are you going? For gazpacho? Want some?
Were on duty but we don't want to be rude -
Gazpacho for everyone.
The gazpacho is offered as casually as a glass of lemonade, and the police respond in kind - like, sure I'll have a glass of lemonade. (Little do they know, it has been spiked with sleeping pills).
This week we're making gazpacho with the same ease, because as it turns out, this may be the most stress-free Martha Stewart recipe we've come across. But, as far as flavor is concerned - it outperforms many recipes we have attempted that took double the time.
Gazpacho is a Spanish, tomato-based, raw vegetable soup. Our favorite thing about this Martha version is that it is written for a single serving. So feel free to make it just for yourself on a whim or multiply it for more eaters if, like Almodovar's Pepa, you are expecting your lover's ex, her son, his girlfriend, and your girlfriend who has been harboring Shiite radicals to stop by.
In a food processor or blender puree tomato until almost smooth. Add cucumber, bell pepper, a small garlic clove, sherry vinegar, red-wine vinegar and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Pulse until mostly smooth. Chill soup in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat.
Serve with toasted country bread and shaved Manchego cheese.
Easy and fresh. Use it to cool off. And feel free to embellish with what available ingredients you have on hand.
Now we are off to look for some of the awesome late 80's suits Pepa wears throughout the film.
