White Gazpacho With Melon Grapes And Almonds Recipes

WHITE GAZPACHO WITH GRAPES AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Set aside 1 cup of chopped cucumber for a garnish. Soak the bread in water until soft, about 2 minutes. Place soaked bread, the rest of the cucumber, garlic, 3 of the scallions, vinegar, lemon juice, 1/4 cup of the almonds, salt and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the bowl of a food processor and process until cucumbers are completely blended and liquid and almonds are almost completely invisible, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and vinegar, if desired.
• To serve, ladle 1 cup gazpacho into a bowl. Mound 1/4 cup reserved chopped cucumber, 1 tablespoon scallions, 2 tablespoons grapes and 1 teaspoon almonds in the center of the soup.

WHITE GAZPACHO

Steps:

• 1. Lightly toast 5 slices of bread. Remove the crusts then set the bread aside to soften in 1 cup of water. Lightly toast the almonds in a small skillet over medium-low heat until golden, about 7 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a food processor add the garlic and pulse until the almonds are finely ground. Squeeze the bread as dry as possible and add it, and about one-third of the grapes to the almonds. Process until the mixture is smooth.
• 2. Transfer the bread mixture to a bowl and gradually beat in first the vinegar, then 1/2 cup of the oil. Beat in the remaining two cups of water then strain the gazpacho through a fine sieve, forcing as much of the bread mixture through as possible. Season the gazpacho with salt and a pinch of cayenne and refrigerate until the soup is well chilled, at least one hour.
• 3. Before serving cut the remaining 3 slices of bread into 1-inch cubes. Fry the croutons over medium heat in the remaining 1/4 cup of oil until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels. Cut the remaining grapes in halves or quarters. Serve the gazpacho in chilled bowls topped with the grapes, cucumbers, and croutons.

GRAPE GAZPACHO

Steps:

• If using a microwave oven, place almonds and water in a 1-cup glass measure. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent power in a high-power oven for 2 minutes. Prick plastic to release steam. If using a conventional oven, place the almonds and the water in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the almonds plump up slightly and just soften. Remove from heat; drain and set aside.
• Pass the grapes through a food mill fitted with a medium disk placed over a bowl to catch the juice. Reserve juice and pulp.
• Place the bread in a small bowl. Add enough of the grape juice to just cover the bread, reserving 1 cup. Lightly press down on the bread so that it absorbs the juice.
• Place cooked almonds, soaked bread and garlic in a blender. With machine running, slowly pour in the reserved cup of grape juice. Continue blending, scraping down the sides from time to time, until the mixture is smooth.
• With the machine still running, slowly pour in any remaining juice and the olive oil. Scrape the mixture into a large metal bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until cold. Served garnished with grapes or melon.

MALAGA ALMOND GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Soak bread in 1/2 cup water 1 minute, then squeeze dry, discarding soaking water.
• Mash garlic to a paste with salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a large knife). Blend garlic paste and almonds in a food processor until nuts are as smooth as possible. Add bread and 1 tablespoon vinegar and, with motor running, add oil in a slow stream, then add ice water and blend well. Force purée through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing firmly on solids. Discard solids.
• Transfer soup to a glass container and chill, covered, until cold, about 3 hours. Season with salt and vinegar before serving.

WHITE GAZPACHO WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Peel grapes and set aside.
• Put almonds into food processor or electric blender.
• Mix bread crumbs with milk in bowl and add mixture plus garlic to container. Start blending and gradually add olive oil through funnel of food processor. Continue blending 5 minutes after last of oil is added. Add salt to taste.
• Gradually add ice water through funnel.
• Add vinegar and blend.
• Serve very cold in cold bowls with the grapes separate.