Summer in Switzerland is a gamble. You can never know when it will be warm or if it will be warm at all. We had a lovely spring but the “heat” of the summer was slow to arrive. Eventually, summer did arrive! For a couple of weeks in August, we were graced with a week or so of 30°C temps which was delightful for this former California girl!
When it is warm, I am rarely hungry for a heavy meal. Having discovered, much to my chagrin, that I had forgotten about a couple of beautiful heirloom tomatoes I’d purchased several weeks back, I decided to grill them and use them as a base for a spicy Gazpacho!
I enjoyed my soup for a light evening meal and again for lunch with a lovely green salad while delving into Scottish history — not Swiss History, I know, but interesting nonetheless!
Enjoy the recipe that follows along with a bit of information on the Apologia Bianco wine from Provins Valais that I tried with it!
Bon Appétit!!
Spicy Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho
Serves | 4 |
Prep time | 1 hour |
Dietary | Vegan, Vegetarian |
Meal type | Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Soup |
Misc | Serve Cold |
Ingredients
- 2 Large Heirloom Tomato (Halved)
- 5 Medium San Marzano Tomatoes (Sliced )
- 3 cloves Garlic (Use more or less depending on your tastes)
- 1 Peperoncino (Choose a heat which matches your taste)
- 1 Small Red Onion
- 1 Small Lime (or Lemon) (Use your preference or what is on hand)
- 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt and Peper
- Cilantro (Optional) (Fresh)
- 1 Large Bell Pepper (Red or Yellow)
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Cucumber (Optional) (Diced)
- Cold Water
Directions
Recommendations
San Marzano Tomatoes: You can use whatever tomato you enjoy. These were in abundance at the supermarket so I chose them.
Peperoncino: Adding peppers is optional! You don't have to make the soup spicy! It is still refreshing without the kick!
Bell Pepper: Adding a grilled bell pepper is a nice touch. I have used them before but they are absent from this recipe but can easily be added! Try it!
Citrus Juice: Some gazpacho recipes call for white vinegar. I like to use lime juice with the cilantro. I only had lemon, at the time, and it worked well too!
Cucumber: I chose to add the cucumber as a garnish but it can also be added to the mix when you purée the mixture. You can also exclude it all together!
Olive Oil: I rarely measure! If you need more than the quantity noted, add it!
Apologia Bianco from Provins Valais Switzerland is a melange of Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Humagne Blanche. The recommended serving suggestions include fish, white meats, hard cheeses, vegetables; dried meats. Unfortunately, if you opt to spice up your gazpacho, the wine is dampened completely. Other than the coolness of it in my mouth, the fire from the peppers overpowered it. Frankly, I added too much pepper for such a small quantity. A better balance between the garlic and the pepper might have made the Apologia Bianco a fine complement.
The Apologia Bianco is a Swiss wine that I have enjoyed on other occasions and more in accordance with the suggestions. It is crisp and fresh and works as a nice complement for a summer picnic of cheese and meats: dried meats and cold roasted chicken. Provins Valais produces several different wine ranges and the Grand Métral, under which this white resides, supports most modern gastronomic tastes. I recommend giving it a try if you are in Switzerland or in one of the few, and fortunate, foreign markets that may carry wines from this well respected cave.
Provins Valais, a cooperative founded in 1930, is the largest producers of Swiss Wine and is responsible for 23% of the wine produced in Canton Valais and 10% of the total production in Switzerland. They are well recognized by some of the largest International Wine Competitions and have won the most medals of any other cave in Switzerland. I have enjoyed several wines from Provins and I will continue to share my thoughts with you!
Drink Responsibly and Enjoy!