Top | Jenn Louis

Buttermilk Cucumber Gazpacho

(recipe, Jenn Louis)

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Introduction

Culinate food editor Carrie Floyd first tasted this soup at a Plate and Pitchfork dinner; Jenn Louis of Culinary Artistry created the recipe.

Ingredients

1. ¾ cup whole blanched almonds
2. 4 oz. rustic white bread, crust removed, bread cut into chunks
3. 2½ lb. Kirby or regular cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped (about 4¾ cups), plus 1 unpeeled cucumber, diced, for serving (about 9 cucumbers total)
4. 2 small garlic cloves
5. ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
6. 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
7. 1 cup buttermilk
8. 2 tsp. coarse salt
9. Freshly ground pepper, to taste
10. ¾ cup cold water, plus more if needed
11. 4 scallions, sliced, for serving
12. ½ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, for serving

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread whole almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in oven until brown and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
2. Place bread in a bowl, and cover with cold water. Let stand 10 minutes. Squeeze out and discard liquid.
3. Purée half of each of the whole almonds, bread, peeled cucumbers, and garlic in a blender. Add half of each of the oil and lemon juice, and purée. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with the other half of the ingredients.
4. Stir in buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Add water; if a thinner consistency is desired, add more water. If the soup is too chunky, pass through a medium sieve. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. If desired, thin with water before serving. Serve cold. Drizzle with oil, and serve with diced cucumber, scallions, and parsley.

Note

Read more about Plate & Pitchfork's summer dinners.