This creamy and refreshing gazpacho with a twist is great for hot days and when you need something quick. I threw everything into my favorite kitchen companion, the Vita-Mix, and it was ready in minutes. Perfect with sandwiches or quesadillas.
The recipe calls for cucumbers, but my hubby passionately HATES them… so I use zucchinis instead and actually like the taste better. Use whichever you prefer.
Avocado GazpachoBy Marillyn Beard
- 1 cucumber (peeled) or zucchini, seeded and chopped
- 1-3 garlic cloves
- 1 Spanish onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup lettuce, chopped
- small handful fresh dill or cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup water
- 2 avocados
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 Tbsp. vodka or tequila (optional)
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- chopped fresh dill or cilantro, little tomatoes and chopped avocado for garnish
Place cucumber or zucchini, garlic, onion, red pepper, lettuce, dill or cilantro and water in blender. Blend until smooth. Cut avocados in half, lengthwise. Scoop out 1 1/2 of avocado into the blender. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium-sized bowl. Stir in lime juice, vodka or tequila (optional), salt and white pepper to taste. Garnish with remaining 1/2 avocado (finely chopped), little tomatoes and chopped dill or cilantro.Hot Mexican-style: Add 1/2 tsp. chile powder and 1/2 tsp. chopped jalapenos.NOTE: I’ve never used vodka or tequila and it still tasted great. I guess some people would like the “kick” it would give to the gazpacho. Maybe someday I’ll try ;o)
Dang girlfriend, I’ll definitely be trying this. I wonder though if instead of the alcohol, you add vinegar (red wine or apple cider). Most gazpacho’s call for it giving it that kick! I’ll give this a whirl with a few alterations come late July or August when my I harvest my red peppers or when they’re in season at the farmers market. I do need a Vita-Mix!!!
Apple cider vinegar would probably be good! I didn’t even think about that! I guess I like it mellow ;o) Let me know what alternations you make and YES everybody NEEDS a Vita-Mix!! LOL
how could you hate cucumbers? I totally lived on them when I had GD cause they were the sweetest thing I could eat. Anyways it looks good :o)
I like cukies… its my hubby. He doesn’t like watermelon and cucumbers. Makes him gag, especially when he smells it on my breath :o) LOL!