As you can see, the sun is mercifully setting on my back deck tapas dinner party.
I’ll conclude this series with the last offering of these Spicy Gazpacho Shooters. I’ve never made gazpacho or for that matter never ordered it in a restaurant. I just can’t wrap my arms around cold soups, I like them hot, steamy and wafting with wonderful spices and aromas.
With all that said, I thought these little cold soup shooters would make a fresh and summery addition to the menu. And when I carried them out on my tomato red platter in my cute little crackly-glass shot glasses, I felt so clever and smug and could have cared less what the soup tasted like.
I Googled Gazpacho and the returns were all similar variations that included fresh vegetables, and always cucumber, tomato and bell peppers. I knew I wanted to kick mine up a bit and added jalapeno and a few shakes of Tabasco.
- Spicy Gazpacho Shooters
- 2 1/2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
- 1 jalapeño seeded and chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 medium cucumber peeled and chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves minced and mashed to a paste with 3/4 teaspoon salt
- hand full of crusty croutons
- 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times to blend. Chill until ready to serve.
Spicy Gazpacho Shooters…It’s What’s for a Summer Tapas Dinner.
High Plains Drifters says
August 28, 2011 at 3:48 pmFirst couple of times I tried cold soup, it didn’t do anything for me. But add some spice and you got me. Cheers!
Lea Ann says
September 1, 2011 at 6:29 amIt was good, but I’m still not a fan. 🙂
Nancy says
August 28, 2011 at 8:27 pmLoved having it as a shooter instead of the normal soup course. I’m a gazpacho fan…it’s a summertime favorite, and this was terrific – like everything else that evening!!
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2011 at 6:14 amThanks Nancy 🙂
Vickie says
August 28, 2011 at 8:47 pmYum! I made gazpacho once, but a whole bowl was overwhelming – I love this idea! And that beautiful shot with the red tray and gorgeous shot glasses is a fabulous presentation. I’m sure the spice just kicked it over the top. Ole!
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2011 at 6:13 amI’m with you, I can’t imagine having a whole bowl of it. After making it, I’m convinced it’s best served as a small appetizer. See you Wednesday! 🙂
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
August 29, 2011 at 4:27 amI couldn’t help but smile at the smug comment. Smug is good and it feels sooo fantastic when it happens.Too bad somebody can’t bottle that feeling. With Chili in your name I knew you would want to kick gazpacho up a notch. I’m so glad it turned out great and it looks fantastic in those cute crackly glasses. Now I want a tomato platter like yours. When will my wish list ever end…
Sam
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2011 at 6:06 amThanks Sam. I have that same wish list … the one that won’t end. 🙂
Larry says
August 29, 2011 at 11:43 amI’m not used to seeing posts from you on back-to-back days. I love the idea of the gazpacho shooter and your shimp sauce recipe from yesterday sounds like one I must try
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2011 at 4:37 pmFinally, a boring weekend. 🙂 Thanks Larry
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
August 29, 2011 at 3:08 pmI love soup shooters, such a great way to start a meal. These look fabulous.
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2011 at 4:28 pmThanks Greg!
Care's Kitchen says
August 30, 2011 at 7:25 amDamn! I can see I have been falling behind here and all the while your posting about MY FAVORITE type of food/eating…TAPAS STYLE! I love these shooters and may be making them in a few weeks for a party we’re having for my dad! They’re beautiful!
Lea Ann says
September 1, 2011 at 6:13 amI really enjoyed all the finger/snack/tapas style food. I’ve started a chapter in my recipe data base. I’ll be on the lookout for more ideas.
Joanne says
August 30, 2011 at 9:10 amMmm these sound super refreshing! I’d certainly want to slurp on one of these at a summer meal!
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2011 at 6:22 amThanks Joanne!
Mary at Deep South Dish says
August 30, 2011 at 11:55 amLea Ann I am the same way with cold soups!! I don’t know why – they just don’t see to go together those words – cold and soup. Truthfully I have never given them a chance really. These shooters are the way to do it if you ask me! Beautiful!!
Everybody always seems in such a hurry anymore. We need some of those signs around here! Except I guess ours would say “Relax! Slow Down! You’re at the Beach.”
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2011 at 6:03 am“At the beach” on that sign would work perfectly! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and the comment Mary.
Bo W says
August 30, 2011 at 1:44 pmI love the presentation in the little shot glasses…I too prefer my soups warm, but I could chug a couple of these shooters.
donna says
August 31, 2011 at 7:21 amI absolutely love this idea!! Such fun. I bet the taste was wonderful.
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2011 at 7:31 amThanks Donna! 🙂
Lea Ann says
September 1, 2011 at 6:11 amThanks Donna! I’m not a fan of gazpacho, but everyone said it was good. 🙂
Chris says
August 31, 2011 at 7:15 pmWhat….no habanero peppers in there? ha ha
So glad you had such a wonderful vacation.
Lea Ann says
September 1, 2011 at 5:46 amMan, I did promise to buy a habanero about two weekends ago …. I promise, this weekend. 🙂
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
September 1, 2011 at 7:06 amWhat a fun way to start off a summer meal. I’m not crazy about cold soups either but this is a great way to kick start the tastebuds and impress your guests.
Karen says
September 4, 2011 at 11:44 amA little shooter full of gazpacho sounds wonderful to go along with tapas.it reminds me of the little glasses of tomato juice that a restaurant i went to used to serve as soon as they passed out the menus.
Lea Ann says
September 4, 2011 at 12:27 pmWhy Thank you! And I like that idea of a little glass of tomato juice while looking at a menu. Fresh Tomato Juice is wonderful.
Karen says
September 9, 2011 at 2:46 pmI was just looking at gazpacho recipes this morning. I’ve never made it either, and, in fact, I’ve only eaten it once, 35 years ago and I remember how delish it was to this day. Now, if my garden tomatoes would ripen, I could make some. Like that you added jalapeno in this. Great idea to go for shooters!
Lea Ann says
September 10, 2011 at 1:45 pmKaren, I’m getting a few ripe tomatoes but have a bazillion green ones that just have to ripen before the first frost. Keep that cold weather away, would you?
....RaeDi says
September 12, 2011 at 3:28 pmLove it and very clever….RaeDi