Ultimate Barefoot Contessa Gazpacho & Goat Cheese Croutons Recipe

Barefoot Contessa gazpacho transforms summer’s vibrant harvest into a cool, invigorating culinary experience that dances across your palate.

Fresh vegetables blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of robust flavors and smooth textures.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients whisper tales of sunshine and relaxed dining moments.

Each spoonful captures the essence of seasonal produce with surprising depth and complexity.

Homemade croutons studded with tangy goat cheese elevate this classic soup from simple to spectacular.

Crisp, zesty notes interplay with creamy accents, promising a delightful sensory journey.

Summer’s most elegant dish awaits your culinary adventure:

Fall in Love with Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

• Burst with Fresh Summer Flavors: This gazpacho delivers an explosion of vibrant, garden-fresh tastes that capture the essence of sunny days with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and zesty spring onions blended into a cool, refreshing soup.
• Elevate with Gourmet Crouton Twist: The warm, creamy goat cheese croutons add a luxurious contrasting element that transforms a simple chilled soup into an elegant dish with a perfect balance of temperatures and textures.
• Ultra-Quick Gourmet Preparation: With just 15 minutes of active cooking time and a simple no-cook method, this recipe allows home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser for Any Occasion: Perfect for summer gatherings, light lunches, or sophisticated appetizers, this gazpacho suits everything from casual backyard parties to elegant dinner events with its clean, bright flavors and beautiful presentation.

Key Picks for Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

• Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy base for gazpacho with rich, bright flavor.
• Spring Onions: Light, mild onion taste that adds subtle sharpness.
• Cucumber: Provides cool, crisp texture and refreshing element.
• Onion: Adds depth and sharp background flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: Brings intense, aromatic punch to the gazpacho.

• Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and balances the vegetable flavors.
• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth base that enhances overall taste and texture.
• Celery Salt: Provides savory, herbal seasoning with mild saltiness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and subtle spiciness.
• Tomato Purée: Deepens tomato flavor and thickens the soup.
• Tomato Juice: Enhances liquid base with concentrated tomato essence.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor profile.

• Baguette, Goat Cheese: Crispy bread base topped with creamy, tangy cheese for contrast.
• Olive Oil: Helps bread toast evenly and adds richness to croutons.

Quick How-To for Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

Step 1: Prepare Vegetable Base

Roughly chop tomatoes, spring onions, cucumber, and onion. Toss these fresh ingredients into a food processor with garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture reaches a coarse, rustic texture. Transfer the vibrant mixture to a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Create Gazpacho Flavor Profile

• Vinegar
• Olive oil
• Celery salt
• Red pepper flakes
• Tomato purée
• Tomato juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir thoroughly to combine all elements. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 3: Craft Goat Cheese Croutons

Position oven rack 5-7 inches from broiler. Select a crusty baguette and slice diagonally into 6 pieces, approximately 1/2 inch thick. Arrange slices on a baking sheet. Brush each slice generously with olive oil. Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip bread, spread soft goat cheese across surface, and broil another minute until cheese warms.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Ladle chilled gazpacho into serving bowls. Crown each portion with a warm goat cheese crouton. Finish with a delicate drizzle of olive oil for an elegant touch.

Pro Secrets for Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Letting the gazpacho sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours allows the ingredients to meld together, intensifying the fresh, vibrant taste of the soup.
• Select Ripe Tomatoes: Choose perfectly ripe, juicy tomatoes for the most flavorful gazpacho, as they'll provide a rich, sweet base for the cold soup.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, adding more for a spicy kick or reducing for a milder version.
• Prep Ahead Advantage: This recipe is perfect for making in advance, as the gazpacho tastes even better after sitting overnight in the refrigerator.
• Serve at the Right Temperature: Ensure the gazpacho is thoroughly chilled and the croutons are warm for a delightful temperature contrast that elevates the entire dish.

Smart Storage for Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

• Flavor Preservation: Transfer gazpacho to a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain its fresh taste and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Glass containers seal more effectively than plastic and help retain the soup's vibrant vegetable essence.
• Crouton Crispness: Store goat cheese croutons separately in a hard-sided container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep at room temperature and consume within 2 days to maintain their crunchy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Temperature Control: Always chill gazpacho for at least 2 hours before serving to enhance its refreshing qualities. Cold temperatures help blend and intensify the soup's complex vegetable flavors, creating a more delicious eating experience.

Fresh Variations for Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

• Spicy Southwestern Gazpacho: Add diced jalapeños, replace red pepper flakes with chipotle powder, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Gazpacho: Incorporate fresh basil, oregano, and mint into the purée, use red wine vinegar instead of regular vinegar, and top with crumbled feta cheese instead of goat cheese croutons.
• Watermelon Gazpacho Fusion: Blend in fresh watermelon chunks for natural sweetness, reduce tomato juice, and garnish with mint leaves and a touch of cracked black pepper for a refreshing summer variation.
• Green Gazpacho Remix: Swap red tomatoes for green tomatoes, add cucumber, green bell pepper, and fresh green herbs like parsley and chives to create a vibrant, verdant version of the classic recipe.

A Memorable End to Easy Gazpacho and Goat Cheese Croutons

Summer’s culinary magic shines through Barefoot Contessa’s gazpacho, a refreshing symphony of garden-fresh ingredients.

Mediterranean flavors dance across chilled bowls, transforming simple vegetables into liquid poetry.

Ina Garten’s recipe whispers cool comfort during scorching afternoons.

Crisp tomatoes and cucumber blend seamlessly with zesty vinegar and spices.

Goat cheese croutons add luxurious contrast, elevating this classic Spanish soup.

Readers, dive into this delightful recipe – share its cool charm, comment with your twists, and spread summer’s delicious embrace across your kitchen and social circles.

Barefoot Contessa Easy Gazpacho & Goat Cheese Croutons Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cool Spanish gazpacho from Ina Garten brings Mediterranean freshness to summer tables. Crisp vegetables blend smoothly with tangy goat cheese croutons, delivering a refreshing escape you’ll savor with each vibrant spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 (800 grams / 28.2 ounces) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained
• 1 large red onion
• 4 spring onions
• ¼ seedless cucumber, unpeeled, seeds removed
• 6 garlic cloves

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces red wine vinegar
• 120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces good olive oil
• 360 milliliters / 12 fluid ounces tomato juice (preferably Sacramento)
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bread and Cheese:

• 1 baguette
• 115 grams / 4 ounces garlic and herb goat cheese (such as Montrachet)
• Olive oil (for brushing and drizzling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetable base by coarsely chopping ripe tomatoes, spring onions, cucumber, and onion into large, uneven pieces. Transfer these ingredients to a food processor and add peeled garlic cloves.
2. Pulse the vegetables until they form a rough, textured purée with some visible chunks for added complexity and visual interest.
3. Empty the processed vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, creating room for additional seasonings and liquid components.
4. Incorporate vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, celery salt, red pepper flakes, tomato purée, and tomato juice into the vegetable mixture. Whisk thoroughly to blend all flavors and create a harmonious consistency.
5. Season the gazpacho with of salt and 1½ teaspoons (7.5 grams) of freshly ground black pepper, stirring to distribute evenly.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or ideally overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. When ready to serve, prepare the croutons by preheating the broiler to high heat, positioning the rack 5-7 inches (13-18 centimeters) from the heat source.
8. Slice a fresh baguette diagonally into 6 pieces, each approximately ½ inch (1.25 centimeters) thick.
9. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush with olive oil. Broil for 1-2 minutes until they turn golden and crisp.
10. Carefully flip the croutons and spread a generous layer of soft goat cheese on each slice.
11. Return the croutons to the broiler for an additional minute, warming the cheese until it becomes slightly melted and fragrant.
12. Ladle the chilled gazpacho into serving bowls, topping each portion with a warm goat cheese crouton.
13. Finish by drizzling a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the gazpacho for added richness and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Chill thoroughly to enhance the gazpacho’s vibrant flavors and allow ingredients to meld together perfectly.
• Prep vegetables in advance by cutting them into large, rustic chunks that blend easily and create authentic texture.
• Select ultra-ripe, deep red tomatoes for maximum sweetness and intense summer garden taste.
• Whisk vinegar and olive oil slowly to create a smooth, emulsified base that binds all gazpacho ingredients together.
• Toast baguette slices quickly under the grill, watching carefully to achieve golden edges without burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 10mg