Alentejo Chilled Tomato Soup
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of Alentejo with this delightful Chilled Tomato Soup. This traditional Portuguese recipe, known as Gaspacho à Alentejana, embodies the essence of summer with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a hint of garlic. Perfectly seasoned with olive oil and vinegar, this vibrant soup is not only a feast for the eyes but also a nourishing treat. Enjoy it as a light starter or a satisfying meal accompanied by crusty bread, fried fish, or cured meats like presunto or chouriço. Share this culinary gem with family and friends for a taste of Portugal in your home.
4
Servings
88
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic cloves
3 (peeled)
Rock salt
1.5 tablespoons
Olive oil
3 tablespoons
Vinegar
3 tablespoons (preferably red wine vinegar)
Ripe tomatoes
2 (one pureed, one diced)
Cucumber
1/2 (diced)
Green pepper
1/2 (diced)
Dried oregano leaves
to taste
Stale country bread
200 g (cut into small cubes)
Pepper
to taste
Ice water
1.5 liters (or substitute with tomato juice)
Instructions
1
In a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic cloves with the rock salt to create a smooth paste.
2
Transfer the garlic paste to a large mixing bowl or terrine. Stir in the olive oil and vinegar, seasoning with freshly ground pepper to taste.
3
In a blender, puree one of the ripe tomatoes until smooth. Add this puree to the bowl with the garlic mixture.
4
Dice the remaining tomato, cucumber, and green pepper into small pieces and add them to the bowl.
5
Pour in the 1.5 liters of ice water (or tomato juice) and mix well. Adjust seasoning with dried oregano.
6
Add the diced stale bread to the mixture and stir gently to incorporate. Allow the soup to sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7
Serve chilled, accompanied by your choice of fried fish, presunto, or chouriço. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alentejo Chilled Tomato Soup?
It is a traditional Portuguese recipe known as Gaspacho à Alentejana, featuring ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are 88 calories per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the soup itself is vegetarian, though it is traditionally served with options like fried fish or cured meats.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What type of bread should be used?
The recipe calls for 200g of stale country bread cut into small cubes.
Can I substitute the ice water?
Yes, you can substitute the 1.5 liters of ice water with tomato juice if preferred.
How long should the soup sit before serving?
The soup should sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
How is the garlic prepared for this recipe?
The garlic cloves should be peeled and crushed with rock salt in a pestle and mortar to create a smooth paste.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 garlic cloves.
What kind of vinegar is recommended?
Red wine vinegar is the preferred choice for this recipe.
Do you puree all the tomatoes?
No, one tomato is pureed until smooth, and the other is diced into small pieces.
Should this soup be served hot?
No, this is a chilled soup intended to be served cold.
What are traditional side dishes for this soup?
It is traditionally accompanied by fried fish, presunto, or chouriço.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 5g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of this soup?
Each serving provides 1.5g of protein.
What herb is used to season the soup?
Dried oregano leaves are used to adjust the seasoning to taste.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
What kind of salt is used?
The recipe specifically uses 1.5 tablespoons of rock salt.
What vegetable prep is required for the cucumber and pepper?
Both the half cucumber and half green pepper should be diced into small pieces.
Is this soup considered a summer recipe?
Yes, it is described as an essence of summer and is tagged as a summer recipe.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 11 different ingredients.
Can I use a blender for this recipe?
A blender is used specifically to puree one of the ripe tomatoes.
Is this soup gluten-free?
No, the recipe includes 200g of stale country bread.
How much liquid is added to the soup?
The recipe requires 1.5 liters of ice water or tomato juice.
What is the first step of preparation?
The first step is to crush the garlic cloves with rock salt in a pestle and mortar.
Is there any cholesterol in this soup?
The nutritional information provided indicates no cholesterol content.
What region does this soup originate from?
This soup originates from the Alentejo region of Portugal.
How much rock salt is needed?
You will need 1.5 tablespoons of rock salt.
Is the bread cooked or toasted?
The recipe uses stale bread that is diced and stirred into the soup mixture to soak.