Melon & Strawberry Gazpacho With Fresh Crema

THE ADDITION of fruit provides a hint of sweetness (and color) to an otherwise traditional gazpacho, offset by the tangy crema garnish.

By | September 13, 2022

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds or 1 small whole watermelon, large diced
  • 10 Roma tomatoes, halved and seeded
  • 3 medium red bell peppers, cored and large diced
  • ½ red onion, medium diced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and medium diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, sliced
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ⅓ cup sherry vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 ounces strawberry puree, divided (see recipe below)
  • 4 tablespoons fresh mint, divided
Strawberry purée
  • 10 ounces frozen strawberries
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
Fresh crema
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Start the strawberry puree by thawing the strawberries in a microwave for 1—2 minutes. Add the thawed berries and 2 ounces water to a blender and blend for about a minute. Add sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir and set aside for later.

Combine watermelon, tomatoes, peppers, onion, cucumber and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, sherry vinegar and seasoning and mix. Make sure to fully incorporate everything and season to taste.

Place ¼ of the fruit/vegetable mixture in a blender or food processor. Add 3 ounces strawberry puree and 1 tablespoon mint to each batch and blend for 1—2 minutes, or until you reach the desired soup consistency. It should take 3—4 batches to blend all the ingredients together.

Refrigerate in a sealed container for 2—4 hours, or until completely chilled. It’s best overnight.

When ready to serve, make the crema: In a small bowl, mix together heavy cream, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest and salt until smooth. Check for seasoning.

Serve cold garnished with the fresh crema and mint.

About this recipe

KYLEIA WERNER
Culinary Arts Teacher, EVIT, Mesa
Sauté and Pantry Cook, Rusconi’s American Kitchen; rusconiskitchen.com
C-CAP 2019
East Valley Institute of Technology, Mesa
Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale

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Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds or 1 small whole watermelon, large diced
  • 10 Roma tomatoes, halved and seeded
  • 3 medium red bell peppers, cored and large diced
  • ½ red onion, medium diced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and medium diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, sliced
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ⅓ cup sherry vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 ounces strawberry puree, divided (see recipe below)
  • 4 tablespoons fresh mint, divided
Strawberry purée
  • 10 ounces frozen strawberries
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
Fresh crema
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

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