Melon Gazpacho with Honeydew, Tomato, Cucumber, Jalapeño, Red Onion, Chive Blossom, Verbena, and Olive Oil
This soup is summer in a bowl. Use the freshest and most ripe melon and tomatoes possible. I find that I like some textural contrast in gazpacho so leave a bunch of chopped ingredients for garnish. Here I cut the melon into thin slices and rolled them into a rose for garnish as well as kept some minced along with cucumber and onion. I also peeled the tomatoes but halved with the peel on works just as well. Use the best olive oil you have to finish this soup - the richness and a touch of bitterness and grassy notes helps balance the soup. A bit of basil would make an excellent variation in place of the verbena. This is excellent served with some grilled or seared scallops or shrimp.
1honeydew melonseeds and rind removed, 1/4 of the melon reserved
2large heirloom tomatoespreferably green or yellow (to match the color of the soup), peeled (you can skip peeling them if you have a very good blender)
1English cucumberhalved (leave the peel on as it will add to the green hue of the soup)
1jalapeño pepperstem and seeds removed, halved
1/8-1/4red onionor shallot, with half reserved for garnish
pinchxanthan gumoptional, improves texture by increasing viscosity and helps keep the soup from separating
1pintcherry tomatoesoptional, for garnish
chive blossomsoptional, for garnish
lemon verbena leavesoptional, for garnish
4tablespoonsolive oiloptional for garnish (best quality you have available)
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Instructions
Combine 3/4 of the melon, the 2 large tomatoes, half the English cucumber, half the jalapeño onion, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, avocado oil, and xanthan gum in a high power blender and blend until completely smooth. Add salt to taste and adjust lime juice and fish sauce as desired. Transfer to a bowl (strain if your soup is not smooth and you prefer it to be). Chill thoroughly before serving.
While the soup chills, finely dice the remaining cucumber, jalapeño, and red onion. Blanch the onion or shallot in boiling water briefly and add to cold water, let stand for at least 5 minutes before draining and adding to the remaining diced vegetables. Toss with a bit of salt and dress with a bit of olive oil and lime juice, set aside.
Score the tops of the tomatoes (ends opposite where they attach to the stem) with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the flesh of the fruit. Blanch the cherry tomatoes in boiling water for a minute or two, just until the cut areas begin to peel back. Then use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes into an ice water bath to shock them to stop the cooking. Let stand in ice water for 5 minutes and then peel the tomatoes - they should peel easily or else use a small paring knife to help you peel back the skins. Similarly, season with a bit of salt, oil, and lime juice and refrigerate until needed.
Thinly slice the remaining quarter of the melon (I like to use a mandolin for this but a sharp knife works too). Roll into rosettes and refrigerate until serving. Dice any remaining fruit that was not sliced thin and add to the bowl of cucumber, pepper, and onion.
To serve, spoon the soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle the diced vegetables over top and place a melon rose into each soup. Garnish with the peeled tomatoes, blossoms, and verbena. Finally, drizzle with olive oil and serve cold.
Notes
Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.06, Protein % of calories: 4%