Summer Sweet Corn Gazpacho (Printable View)
Refreshing chilled corn gazpacho with fresh vegetables and citrus, ideal for warm summer days.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (about 4 ears), divided use
02 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
04 - 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
05 - 2 scallions, trimmed and sliced
→ Aromatics and Herbs
06 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
→ Liquids and Seasonings
08 - 1 1/2 cups cold vegetable broth
09 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - Juice of 1 lime
11 - 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes
14 - Reserved corn kernels
15 - Chopped fresh basil or chives
16 - Drizzle of olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Measure and set aside 1/2 cup of corn kernels for finishing garnish.
02 - Combine the remaining corn, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, vegetable broth, olive oil, lime juice, and vinegar in a blender. Puree until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Pass the soup through a fine mesh sieve for an extra-silky texture, or leave unstrained for a rustic, chunkier consistency.
05 - Transfer the soup to a large bowl or pitcher, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow the flavors to fully develop.
06 - Ladle the chilled gazpacho into individual bowls. Top with the reserved corn kernels, a scattering of chopped basil or chives, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool even on the most brutal August afternoons.
- The natural sugars in raw corn create a creamy texture without a drop of cream.
- It doubles as a elegant first course for dinner parties or a quick lunch standing over the sink.
02 -
- Raw corn has a shorter flavor window than cooked, so make this the same day you buy or shuck it for maximum sweetness.
- Chilling is not optional, the flavors need those two hours to marry and mellow, especially the garlic.
03 -
- Cut the corn off the cob over a bowl standing the cob upright in the bowl catches fewer flying kernels.
- If your blender is not very powerful, let the soup strain through the sieve a second time for restaurant quality smoothness.