Indulge In This Sinful Chocolate Gazpacho This Holiday Season

Gazpacho is a classic Spanish dish that is traditionally savoury, but with the upcoming holiday and festive season, why not give the iconic dish a chocolatey twist?

Gazpacho is an iconic dish that was invented in the region of Andalusia, located in southern Spain. To make this soup, you would need pureed tomatoes, cucumber, onions, garlic, olive oil, and sweet bell peppers. But there is more to gazpacho than just this; it can be made in different ways, such as using melons to make a fruit-based gazpacho or a cucumber-based gazpacho.

The variations are endless. There is no right way to prepare it; you can get creative with different ingredients and see what works for you. Traditionally, it is a savoury soup, which you must have figured out after going through the ingredients, but for this upcoming holiday season, we will bring a chocolatey twist to the classic gazpacho. It is cold, sweet, and extremely indulgent. It is so tasty that you won't be able to resist it. But before that, let's just go through the brief history of gazpacho.

History Of Gazpacho

The gazpacho holds a lot of significance in Spanish cuisine, and it not only represents the cuisine as one of its quintessential dishes but also the country's climate, culture, and agricultural produce. It is deeply embedded in Spanish history, and it was first made in Andalusia, which is the southern region of the country.

The invention of gazpacho dates back to ancient times, when it was initially just a blend of water, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and bread and was often eaten by workers and labourers after a hard day at work in the olive groves and vineyards under the sun.

Later, the inclusion of peppers and tomatoes took place, and since then, it has become the gazpacho we all know and admire today. Now that you know what exactly a gazpacho is and its traditional form, let's give it a twist with chocolate to make this iconic Spanish dish a dessert that you will always remember, cherish, and enjoy. You can make this dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a party, or simply on Valentine's Day to impress your partner.

Chocolate Gazpacho Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of unsweetened dark cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup of cold water
• 1 small shallot, diced
• 1 cup of cucumber
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon Spanish sherry vinegar
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Method:

• Blend all of the ingredients in a blender pitcher until smooth. Add enough water to achieve the desired consistency, but be careful not to dilute the flavour.
• Refrigerate the soup after seasoning it with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with chocolate shavings before serving. Croutons can be added for a crunch.

Storage Instructions:

If you end up making extra gazpacho, then you must store it in an airtight, non-reactive container. This will keep it fresh for up to 3 days. Try to consume it as soon as possible, as freezing the soup may hinder its texture or overall flavour.