Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Gazpacho with Basil Croutons

I've never been a big tomato fan -- especially raw tomatoes, like on a sandwich or in a salad. But for some reason, every summer I end up craving a chilly bowl of tomato-y gazpacho.....my favorite recipe is this one, topped with crunchy, delicious basil croutons.

After some chopping, the whole thing is made in the blender - which my daughter found pretty hilarious. She walked past me in the kitchen and said, "Eeeeew! Are you making a tomato smoothie?! YUK!"

Aside from the three tablespoons of olive oil in the croutons, this is an incredibly healthy and lowfat soup. Other than that, I guess I don't have too much to say about this recipe -- my husband likes it and my kids despise it. But I make it once a summer because I love it!

I can't believe I bought, but forgot to add, the jumbo cooked shrimp that I was supposed to chop and stir in just before serving! What a ding-a-ling! I'll have to find another use for those today....maybe I'll make an orzo salad recipe I saw in one of my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.
I'm so happy that leftovers are waiting for me in the fridge for lunch this afternoon!

42 comments:

Patsyk said...

Gazpacho is a summer treat for us each year. I make it the whole month of August! I'm actually making it again tonight! Yum!

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

Looks yummy, although my husband would argue it is just salsa eaten w/a spoon so what is the point.

Jaime said...

mmmm that looks delicious! i'm not sure if i can get my hubby to eat this but i love tomatoes!!! i might have to try this :)

Kirsten said...

I also do not love raw tomatoes but your gazpacho looks so refreshing. I bet the croutons are delicious.

Robin said...

Leah all your recipes look fantastic. Where do I begin. The Shrimp Salad looks fantastice and the idea of putting shrimp in the gazpacho is wonderful! I love your pictures too.

RecipeGirl said...

I'm a raw tomato fan. I could eat them like apples if they're really good ones.

The addition of shrimp sounds terrific to that gazpacho!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Yum! I'll eat the shrimp if you can't find a use for them!

Prudy said...

A tomato smoothie, hee hee, I love it. I suppose it really is. I spent a summer in Spain and got addicted to gazpacho. Would you believe they even had it at McDonalds in a little cardboard container like milk? I love your croutons, too. The whole thing looks fab.

Aggie said...

I haven't had gazpacho in ages, what a wonderful looking soup you have there! Love the croutons!

Jenny said...

Oh my can I just have basil croutons for dinner. That sounds incredible! I've never had gazpacho, but I bet it's terrific!

Deborah Dowd said...

This looks fabulous,especially with those croutons!

Jan said...

That looks excellent, with or without the shrimp.

BTW, I've given you an award.

Megan said...

I am making this over the long Labor Day weekend. I am "garden sitting" for friends who are at the beach...I am going to harvest their ripe tomatoes and have a wonderful pot of gazpacho for them when they come home.

Thanks! Megan of Bit of Nutmeg

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

Made the croutons (or cartoons as my 4 year old calls them) for grilled chicken salads w/spinach, heirloom lettuce leaves, roasted pecans, and cranberries and they were a huge hit! Our company LOVED them.

Meg said...

Thanks for sharing this! It looks delicious!

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

I'm other the croutons already.....it has been a month. Where the heeeeel are you??????

Jan said...

Hi Leah,

It's been a while since we heard from you. I hope that all is well?

Prudy said...

Hope all is well-I'm missing your posts and hoping that you're just super busy and having a great time.

Jan said...

Hi Leah,

I'm getting worried about you. It's been a long time since you posted, is everything okay?

Robin said...

Missing your recipes and you. Hope all is well with you.

Megan said...

Hey Leah...

Hope you are well. We miss you in the blog world!

megan of bit of nutmeg

anudivya said...

I love your presentation... leftovers are such life savers isn't it? Especially on those days, when one doesn't feel like cooking...
First time here, like your blog a lot.

Aggie said...

Hi Leah...I've been missing you and your posts, hope you are well!

Marisa said...

That looks awesome! You have so many great recipes on here and I love checking back to see what's new. Check my blog for an award!?!

Amy said...

Love your blog. Just left you an award on my blog.

thesistersdish.blogspot.com

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Hey Leah,
I miss your blog! Hope you are ok!

lisa

Chef E said...

I like your site! and I love Gazpacho...had a pastry chef friend in Dallas teach me how to off set a savory one with watermelon, YUM. I also had a 'Green & Red' one on my trip to PNW that was to die for!

If it is just a salsa eaten with a spoon then there you go, my Tex-Mex loving roots quote...

Amber said...

I have been wondering where you were and I hope all is well.
Okay, I don't under stand the whole not liking tomato thing. Come to California and I will fix summer tomatoes for you a hundred ways.

the gathering of friends said...

I enjoy visiting your blog... we share some of the same philosophies. I have recently published a cookbook that I think you would enjoy please visit my website www.thegatheringoffriends.com

Sylvia said...

I love gazpacho,and I bet the croutons are delicious , they looks great

Jamie said...

I just discovered your blog and love it! I am a new blogger and, like you, am currently a stay at home mom who loves to cook - well, in may case, bakes. I am adding you to my favorites and will be trying your recipes.

Jamie at lifesafeast.blogspot.com

Angelnina said...

I'm an Ina Garten fan too! This soup looks divine.
You have a beautiful blog here.

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Kelly said...

This looks delicious...

foodbin said...

a really healthy meal

EmmyJMommy said...

I've never made Gazpacho, but it is one of my favorite soups! Yours is beautiful, I like mine with a dollup of Creme Freche (sp?). Thanks for sharing...I'll be using the recipe sometime this summer!

Penny said...

Leah, Just kind of curious why you stopped posting here.

Georgina Ingham | CulinaryTravels said...

Leah that soup looks wonderful. Hurry back please, I'm missing your lovely blog.

Unknown said...

This looking nice but no idea about test..
Kitchen Hood Cleaning

Alisa said...

It wont be long before I'm making this soup again.

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

Wow, this sounds and looks so beautiful!

Great blog; happy I found you!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

Can't wait to try your basil crutons!

Found your blog through a mutual blogger. New follower!

Check out my blog @ http://cajunlicious.blogspot.com/