Best 2 Ajo Blanco Recipes
Ajo blanco, also known as white gazpacho, is a refreshing and flavorful cold soup that originates from the southern region of Spain, particularly the province of Málaga. This unique soup is a perfect dish to beat the summer heat, as it is served chilled and is packed with fresh and healthy ingredients. The primary component of ajo blanco is almonds, which give the soup a creamy and nutty texture. Combined with garlic, bread, olive oil, vinegar, and water, ajo blanco forms a smooth and savory base. Additionally, it is commonly garnished with grapes, cucumber, hard-boiled egg, and croutons, adding a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
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GAZPACHO AJO BLANCO
Ajo blanco means "white garlic." This tomatoless gazpacho is a specialty of Malaga, on Spain's southern coast.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cover bread with cold water, and let soak for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cover garlic with water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes; drain.
- Pulse blanched almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Squeeze excess liquid from bread, and transfer bread to food processor. Add cooked garlic, vinegar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Puree mixture until smooth. With machine running, pour in oil in a slow, steady stream, alternating with cup cold water, blending until emulsified. Blend in remaining 2 1/4 cups cold water. Strain through a fine sieve until smooth, discarding solids. Season with salt. Refrigerate gazpacho until chilled, at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide chilled gazpacho among 6 bowls or glasses. Drizzle with oil and top with grapes, and Marcona almonds if desired, just before serving.
CUCUMBERS WITH AJO BLANCO SAUCE
Think of this as an all-purpose garlic sauce. Once you get the hang of making it, try swapping cashews or blanched hazelnuts for the almonds.
Provided by Andy Baraghani
Categories Bon Appétit Sauce Condiment Garlic Almond Vinegar Cucumber Side Vegetable Quick & Easy Vegetarian Vegan Wheat/Gluten-Free Dairy Free
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut cucumbers about 1" thick on a steep diagonal and place in a medium bowl. Add a large pinch of kosher salt and 2 tsp. vinegar and toss to combine; let marinate 10 minutes. Pour off any liquid that is released.
- Toast 1/4 cup almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Set aside.
- Blend garlic, oil, remaining 1 tsp. vinegar, remaining ½ cup almonds, and 1/2 cup ice water in a blender until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes; season generously with salt.
- Divide sauce among plates and top with cucumber salad and chopped almonds. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Do Ahead
- Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the ajo blanco will be. Use fresh, ripe almonds, garlic, and bread. If you can, use homemade bread for a more rustic flavor.
- Soak the almonds overnight. This will help to soften them and make them easier to blend. You can also blanch the almonds for a few minutes in boiling water, then peel them and rinse them before blending.
- Use a high-powered blender. A regular blender may not be able to blend the almonds and garlic smoothly. A high-powered blender will give you a creamy, smooth ajo blanco.
- Add the olive oil slowly. This will help to emulsify the oil and prevent it from separating. You can also use a food processor to emulsify the oil.
- Season the ajo blanco to taste. Add salt, pepper, and vinegar to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or cumin.
- Serve the ajo blanco chilled. Ajo blanco is best served cold, so make sure to chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Conclusion:
Ajo blanco is a delicious and refreshing cold soup that is perfect for a summer meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its creamy texture and nutty flavor, ajo blanco is a soup that everyone will enjoy.
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