This is one of those chilled soups that really is a salad in a soup bowl. It’s chilled, it’s loaded with lettuce and herbs, it’s the perfect green gazpacho. It’s also very adaptable. You can make it spicy or mild and you can customize the end result with a huge array of garnishes. It also happens to be vegan and gluten-free.
This green gazpacho is lighter than a traditional tomato-based gazpacho. So it works well as the opening of a fancy dinner party—and garnishing it will bring out your creative side. It also works equally well as something to keep in your refrigerator for a quick, healthy lunch.
The key to this soup is to serve it well chilled. It definitely needs that hour of chilling time. And if you are serving it on a hot day, use the suggestion of adding a couple small ice cubes on top for one of the garnishes.
I first saw this idea in Spain served with a traditional gazpacho. We were sitting on an outdoor patio on a sunny day in the small city of Garrucha in Southern Spain. I loved the way the gazpacho was served with all the garnishes in separate little bowls so that each person could add whatever and however much they wanted of each. And those little ice cubes were perfect for keeping the gazpacho extra cold.
Photo by Erin Feinblatt