The flavors blend the sweet and layer the savory with highlights of basil and garlicky croutons. My friend Shannon calls it, "a party in my mouth!"
Ingredients
1 pound Dark Sweet Cherries (Bing)
1 ¼ cups peeled and seeded Cucumber
1 cup chopped Yellow Bell Pepper
1 cup chopped Red Bell Pepper
1 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
½ teaspoon ground Black Pepper
3 Garlic Cloves
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 ½ tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
2 pieces Texas Toast
¼ cup ground Almonds
¼ - ½ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes (to taste)
2 cups Cento Chef’s Cut Tomatoes with Basil
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
8 Yellow Grape Tomatoes
2 sprigs Fresh Lemon Thyme
1 tablespoon Fresh Basil (I used Lemon Basil)
Instructions
Prep
This is a multi-step preparation. First you will clean and chop your vegetables and make your toast before blending. This mixture will rest/chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Pit cherries and set aside about 10 to chop for garnish.
Brush both slices of toast with olive oil on both sides and toast in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and golden brown.
Rub each side with whole garlic clove, set one piece aside for croutons and cut up remaining piece into 1” cubes.
In a large bowl layer cherries (and collected juices), bell peppers, bread, sliced garlic, ground almonds and sprinkle each layer with salt and black pepper and a light drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Cover and chill mixture for at least two hours or overnight.
Make Croutons by slicing crust off remaining piece of toast and cut into ¼ inch cubes. Toast cubes in a skillet over medium heat using about 1 tablespoon olive oil with minced garlic and sprigs of fresh thyme until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towel and cool. Store in airtight container until time to serve.
Soup
Add lemon juice and red chili peppers to the fruit and vegetable mixture and blend in batches.
For a more creamy consistency spoon gazpacho through a fine mesh sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to get all the goodness.
Taste the mixture and adjust to suit with more salt, pepper, and chili.
Refrigerate until ready to serve so it is nice and cold!
Chop remaining cherries and yellow tomatoes into tiny pieces, finely chop your fresh basil.
Serve in small bowls (about 4-5 ounces each) and garnish with cherries, tomatoes, croutons, a little basil and a scant drizzle of olive oil and maybe a lemon slice.
Notes
Inspired and adapted from: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cherry-gazpacho-with-basil Products used: Arianna Trading Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Gourmet Garden Chili Flakes, Cento Tomatoes (Chef’s Cut with Basil)
Recipe by What about the food? at https://whataboutthefood.com/cherry-gazpacho/