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On the list of things I love to do in this world, “eat cold soup” is, well, not.

It doesn’t even make the short list.

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And yet, here I am with 8 cups of gazpacho in my fridge and a yearning need for it in my belly.

Funny what spending a week in 95 degree weather with 100% humidity will do to a girl.  Not to mention coming home and running up and down a half mile hill six times in a row in 80 degree weather.

All of a sudden, cold soup = nirvana.

That’s summer-induced math, plain and simple.

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Then there’s also the fact that this is not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill gazpacho.  Oh, no no no!

This gazpacho right here is infused with Moroccan spices so that even though the temperature may be cold, it gives off an aura of warmth.

It’s kinda like Icy Hot.  But for your taste buds.  (Can you tell I’ve been running too much?)

And did I mention that it goes just about perfectly with melty cheddar cheese sandwiched between two slices of sourdough bread (otherwise known as grilled cheese)?

Because that’s the truth.  I speak from experience.

So even if you think you’re not into cold soup, I highly advise you to give this a whirl.  It’ll help make these hot humid summer days at least slightly more bearable.  And it will make your taste buds happy.  Win/win.

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Moroccan Red Gazpacho
Serves 4, adapted from Cooking Light July 2012

Ingredients

  • 2 slices whole wheat bread, torn into pieces
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
  • 4 large ripe plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped (about 1 pound)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped (about 8 oz)
  • 1/4 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 2 tsp ras el hanout
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Place the bread in a bowl with the boiling water.  Let sit for 1 minute.  Drain and reserve bread.
  2. Combine the bread, oil, sherry vinegar, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, and onion in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until almost smooth.
  3. Scrape into a bowl.  Add the tomato puree along with the water, ras el hanout, salt, cumin, and cinnamon.  Stir to combine.  Cover and chill for 2 hours.  Serve topped with cilantro.

I am submitting this to Souper Sunday which is hosted by Deb over at Kahakai Kitchen!
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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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77 Responses to Moroccan Red Gazpacho

  1. Simply Life says:

    love this idea of gazpacho with moroccan spices!

  2. I’ve never made gazpacho but man, does this look good! And paired with a grilled cheese sandwich? Heaven.

  3. This weather really does call for cold soup, and though I’m not usually a fan, you convinced me with the grilled cheese!

  4. london bakes says:

    This gazpacho looks utterly delicious. Those Moroccan spices are such a wonderful addition.

  5. You are SO right about the whole cold soup thing. Absolutely not from September through June, and then totally necessary. Especially when there are summer tomatoes involved!

  6. Saguna says:

    Super gorgeous soup- the moroccan flavours in this are genius. I actually like gazpacho, weirdly! It sounds like it hit the post-workout spot pretty well.

    Yours looks amazing. I’ve never tried one like this with lots of tomatoes… Definitely looks MUCH more appetizing than the greenish brown gazpacho I’ve had before!

  7. bellini says:

    it does sound like the perfect accompaniment t this sweltering heat!

  8. I’ve never been much of a cold soup person either… but with all these warming flavors and aromas I could see this gazpacho really hitting the spot on a summer day!

  9. Johanna GGG says:

    sounds like you are having just the weather for icy hot soup – cold soup always seems odd to me too esp when in the depths of winter but I love this take on gazpacho

  10. Lora says:

    Not a cold soup girl eaither but I would definitely make an exception for this.

  11. Sam says:

    I’m not very into cold soups either, but every once in a while I get a gazpacho and/or cucumber soup craving. Usually when it’s 95 degrees and 100% humidity. I’ll have to give this a try.

  12. Elizabeth says:

    What a cool idea with the spices! I actually love cold soups and I am sooo excited for lots of gazpacho now that tomatoes are so abundant at the Greenmarket.

  13. I am not usually a cold soup person either but…well I love the thought of the spices and the grilled cheese on toast to go with it……I could eat it

  14. This would be perfect for a blog my friend is doing for AIDS…Everyone has to make a red dish. Go visit spinachtiger.com.

    Love the recipe and I hope one day we will meet being that we both live in the big apple

  15. Amy says:

    I have a recipe for cold tropical soup (made with mango) and some other cold soup made with cucumber…that I’ve had saved in a “to-do” folder for about 3 years. No joke. They intrigued me, but clearly eating cold soup isn’t on my lits of things I love to do either. Having said that, I finally made your avocado pasta after a year, so there’s hope for your Gazpacho yet!

  16. Jenn Kendall says:

    i love that you compared this to icy hot lol – this really sounds delicious with all those spices!

  17. Danielle says:

    I love the addition of the Morrocan spices.

  18. Shannon says:

    not crazy about gazpacho, but i love the spices you’ve thrown in there 🙂

  19. i love gazpacho, especially one with the traditional ingredients! yum!

  20. Cathleen says:

    Well what doesn’t go with grilled cheese? :p
    This looks so good. I have never made gazpacho. I’m looking out the window and it’s cold and raining. Maybe when it gets sunny here 🙁

  21. Lynn says:

    I LOVE gazpacho and just happen to have some tomatoes…

  22. Tandy says:

    Yum yum. I love cold soups and Ras el hanout so this is a winner 🙂

  23. Looks so good, really hearty and such amazing flavors. Cold soup wasn’t ever high on my list but I do love gazpacho!

  24. I so wish there was a solid Moroccan joint here but until then, I shall have to make this to tide me over =D

  25. I haven’t had a gazpacho all summer .. I always think I don’t really like cold soups either – they start off good but then I get sick of them halfway through. I think that’s more the cold, creamy soups though .. I’ve always liked gazpachos and should give this one a try soon!

  26. Eileen says:

    Yeah, I don’t generally go for cold soup either–but that gazpacho does look super refreshing for hot hot summer days! (Now if we could only have a couple of those hot days here in NorCal…only a couple, though.) I love the ras el hanout addition. 🙂

  27. Cara says:

    This needs to happen in my kitchen. I’m not a huge cold soup person either, but I could eat salsa by the spoonful and that’s how I like to think of gazpacho. Good, fresh salsa. With Moroccan spices? That just sounds magical.

  28. Katerina says:

    I have never tried cold soup. This one looks like something I would eat gladly even though the temperatures here are above 40C.

  29. I love gazpacho!! BUt never have I ever tried Moroccan. And who does want Icy Hot on their insides.

  30. Pam says:

    I am with you, I am normally not a cold soup person but I have a feeling I would LOVE this one!

  31. Debbie says:

    This really does look very good…I don’t care for cold soup either and NEVER eat it but this doesn’t really even remind me of soup. Plus just thinking of it with grilled cheese makes me want to try it now!

  32. Guru Uru says:

    Cold and delicious sounds ok when gazpacho is involved 😀
    Wow!

    Cheers
    CCU

  33. Hannah says:

    Super chunky gazpacho is the best, so I’m clamoring to get a thick spoonful of your rendition here. That’s the key to chilled soups- They have to be substantial to really work! Seems like you figured it out in short order. 🙂

  34. teresa says:

    being right across the river from you, i can relate to the heat and humidity, ugh! glad fall is right around the corner. IN LOVE with this soup, and i also love that you paired it with a grilled cheese. sounds like the perfect way to end the day if you ask me!

  35. Hotly Spiced says:

    What a gorgeous looking soup. I’m not a fan of an icy cold soup either – it just doesn’t seem right. But I can understand eating this on a hot and humid night. Love how it has a little heat in it xx

  36. Gloria says:

    Look delicious Joanne!!

  37. daphne says:

    I much prefer warm sups so glad to see this version!!

  38. Blond Duck says:

    It sounds like salsa in a bowl. I could drink salsa.

  39. That Girl says:

    Cold soup is perfect for the summer though.

  40. Roz says:

    Joanne, you REALLY do use the best verbal descriptives of all the blogs that I read: hot temps and cold soup = nirvana. LOL! But you’re right! and this recipe would make me slurp it all down . . . sitting right next to my air conditioner vent!

    Stay cool!
    Roz

  41. Juliana says:

    Oh Joanne, this soup is perfect for this warm/hot weather…cold and tasty…love the flavors and the color of this gazpacho.
    Hope you are having a nice week 🙂

  42. sophia says:

    Gosh what a lush color! So vibrant and fresh! It’s SO hot these days that I could go for a few bowls of this.

  43. Joanne, Gazpacho is one of my all time favorite dishes. I have to make this before the summer is over!!!

  44. Monet says:

    Girl. I’m glad you’ve provided me with a cold soup recipe. They aren’t my favorite either, but I know you only bring me good things! I would love to have this for dinner tomorrow night. Thank you for sharing! Now off to dream delicious dreams!

  45. Cumin was creeping into my nostrils just this afternoon. I’d love to come home to a giant container of this waiting for me in the fridge as I’m working 12-16 hours and have no time to cook anything on weeknights. I’m gonna make this this weekend. The boyfriend will love it to. Thanks! Gary

  46. I’m not much of a cold soup gal but you’re totally changing my mind about that right now!

  47. I have to tell you I’ve never had cold soup once in my life. It seems like a sin against nature or something. But when I saw the first pic of this I was like “heck yes!” I’m so gonna do it. There’s a first time for everything and it’s finally time for me to get my gazpacho on. And for some reason, I really want to try it while wearing a sombrero.

  48. Kari says:

    Icy hot huh? I’m intrigued!

  49. Kathy says:

    I don’t do cold soup very often…but now I’m wondering “why not”. Yours looks so wonderful and perfect for the hot summer we’ve been having!

  50. I actually love cold soup, but have had so much of it so far this summer that I’m sort of sick of it! I think this could restore my taste for it though. Looks amazing.

  51. Mary says:

    Really? If this soup could convince me to like gazpacho, I am all over that. I’m just not a fan of the cold soups at all. In my brain, soup = warmth. This one sounds delicious though!

  52. I have never been a cold soup kinda girl. I’ll try some now and again, but to me, it’s all salsa. So…pass me the pita chips or maybe the naan chips or just good ol’ tortilla chips and I’ll dig in!! =)

  53. Erica says:

    What a great idea! I love the addition of cumin and cinnamon!

  54. Camila Faria says:

    I have to give it a try, I’m not used to eating cold soup. But this gazpacho sure looks amazing!

  55. WHEN WILL THIS HOT ‘N HUMID NASTINESS END?! Awful, isn’t it? I’m glad you Joanne-ed the heck out of regular gazpacho, because the watery red stuff has never been my thing. This looks delicious! Spiced and thick and packed with vegetables! Oh, and that sourdough grilled cheese idea? Hell. Yes.

    Happy sweating, dear! xo

  56. beti says:

    I love the color of this gazpacho! it almost looks like chilli

  57. Reeni Pisano says:

    What a unique gazpacho! I’d love a big bowl to cool me off while simultaneously spicing up my tastebuds! Especially with a grilled cheese for dipping. That’s the best.

  58. Carolyn Jung says:

    I’m loving the Moroccan spin on the gazpacho. On a scorching day, nothing satisfies like cold soup packed with lots of bright veggies. Refreshment in a bowl.

  59. Candace says:

    I’ve never been able to wrap my head around eating cold soup. My tomato hating husband loves gazpacho and keeps trying to talk me into trying it. So far without success; however, this one that you made looks amazing with all of that gorgeous color and I love the spices that you’ve used. Maybe…just maybe…this one would change my mind.

  60. this looks fab love your description icy hot

  61. I really enjoy the flavors of this gazpacho. I really love Moroccan spices, especially the use of cinnamon in savory dishes!

  62. I do not like gaspacho but love ras el hanout. This soup, served in mugs, would be great for a bbq on a hot day. Most cold soups are sweet fruit soups. This Moroccan cold soup should be popular as a refreshing change. Nice going.

  63. grace says:

    i LOVE moroccan flavors! incorporating them into gazpacho is a sure-fire way to make it more appealing. 🙂

  64. ally says:

    i am loving the thick texture & flavorful recipe you’re sharing with us… perfect!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/

  65. Faith says:

    I agree with everything…normally cold soup isn’t my #1 choice, but this…oh my. I think I could happily spend the rest of summer living off of it!

  66. I haven’t tried making gazpacho before! This looks awesome!

  67. Lori says:

    Cold soup freaked me out a bit a first. I mean, did they forget to pop the leftovers in the microwave? 🙂 But I’ve actually gotten into gazpacho this year. Loving this twist!

  68. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, This is a healthy and delicious summer treat. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

  69. I like cold soups and I love finding different gazpacho recipes. Love the Moroccan flavors in this one–very unique. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays. 😉

  70. Aggie says:

    I’ve always been “eh” about cold soups, but every time I try one I love them. Especially gazpacho. Yours looks extra delicious!! I can only imagine how good it tastes with all those spices…wish I had a bowl today.

  71. I love the spicy flavours you have going on here – brilliant!

  72. Its about 10degrees on average here but I would devour this soup immediately if it was in my fridge. I’ve never actually eaten gazpacho before. Must try 🙂

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