Jo's Gazpacho

By executive chef Ian Topper Kapitan
(Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Ripe Heirloom Tomatoes
• 1-Cup Bread Crumbs
• 1 ½ Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 6 Tbsp Spanish Sherry Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Kosher Salt
• 1 Red Pepper
• 2 Basil Leaves
• 1/2 Tbsp Finely Chopped Chives
• 1 Baguette

Preparation:
 
·        Preheat broiler or grill. Cook the whole peppers over high
heat until they have blackened spots and blisters and are tender.
·         Place the peppers into a brown paper bag and roll up the top
to seal to steam the peppers. Set aside until the peppers cool.
·         When the peppers are cool, remove the skins. Slice the
peppers open and scrape out the cores and seeds. Rinse under water
quickly and dry well with paper towels. Cut into a fine julienne or
small strips.
·         Core and roughly chop the tomatoes and place in the blender with the garlic and ¾ cup olive oil.
·         Start a blender on low speed and roughly blend the tomatoes,
then slowly add the rest of the Olive Oil and the Sherry Vinegar.
·         Turn up the blender to a medium speed.
·         When the tomatoes have reached a smooth consistency, slowly
add the breadcrumbs and continue to puree until smooth again.
·         Strain the tomatoes through the strainer pressing the soup
through with the ladle to remove the seeds and season to taste with
salt and pepper.
·         Place in refrigerator until chilled.
·         Slice the baguette into small slices across the width on the
bread. Drizzle with olive oil and toast in oven until golden brown.
·         Season to taste.
·         Serve the chilled soup in small bowls. Place the crouton on top of the soup.
·         Finely slice the basil and mix with the chives and roasted
red peppers. Garnish the crouton with a small amount of the red pepper
salad.
 

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Phone: (212)966-9640