Garden Gazpacho with Avocado and Shrimp

Crisp cucumbers are ripe and plentiful in the Edible Garden.  Garden Chef Megan McCarthy paired them with tomatoes for a traditional Spanish gazpacho.  This cool refreshing treat was perfect for a warm summer evening of Cocktails in the Garden.

Gazpacho is a cold soup that is native to Andalucía, Spain. Traditional recipes include stale bread and require a mortar and pestle to mix the ingredients…thank goodness for modern conveniences like the food processor. Chef Megan’s secret ingredient is a splash of balsamic vinegar. Try this recipe and make it your own. You will love gazpacho in the summertime. Enjoy!

Garden Gazpacho with Avocado and Shrimp

2 garlic cloves, peeled

3 ripe garden tomatoes, rough chopped

2 cucumbers, 1 peeled and rough chopped and 1 peeled, seeded and diced

1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and diced

½ sweet Vidalia onion, finely diced

3 T extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

juice of ½ lemon

½ tsp ground cumin

sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

1 avocado, diced

peeled shrimp (optional garnish)

In food processor, pulse garlic until minced.  Add tomatoes and pulse until pureed.  Add in the rough chopped cucumber and half of the bell pepper and pulse until pureed.  Transfer puree to a large bowl.  Add remaining diced cucumber, diced pepper and diced onion and fold into puree.  Stir in extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice and mix well.  Season the gazpacho with cumin, salt and pepper to taste.  Stir in cilantro.  Chill before serving.  Serve with diced avocado and peeled shrimp for garnish. 

Recipe by Garden Chef Megan McCarthy

Check out more Garden Chef recipes.