White Gazpacho (Chilled Garlic Soup)

By akselden

Ingredients

• 1/2 c Bread crumbs
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1 1/2 c. (4 oz) slivered almonds (reserve a few for garish)
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
• 3/4 c. olive oil
• 2 1/2 c. water, divided
• 1 tbsp. white or cider vinegar
• Salt to taste
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut in chunks
• 1/2 c. half-and-half
• 1 1/2 c. peeled seedless white or green peppers (optional)

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Combine bread crumbs and milk in bowl. Put crumb mixture, almonds and garlic in food processor or blender. Process or blend while adding the olive oil, 1/4 cup at a time. Continue to process or blend 5 minutes after olive oil is added.

Add 1 cup of water, vinegar, salt and cucumber and blend. Add remaining water and blend again. Stir in half-and-half and chill.

If desired, serve with chilled peeled grapes. (Hint: Blanching the grapes for a few seconds in boiling water makes it much easier to peel them. Whether the whole thing is worth it is a different matter)

Garnish with slivered almonds.