"Light" Andalusian Gazpacho (a la Beatriz Taillefer)

This past Saturday our dear friends Beatriz Taillefer and Eduardo Guille celebrated a beautiful wedding in Malaga, Spain and we soooo wished we could have been there.  About 17 years ago our dear friend and artist extraordinaire, Beatriz, came to visit us from Malaga and shared with me what I call a light Andalusian gazpacho recipe.  Malaga is on the southern coast of Spain, in Andalusia.  This coast, also known as the Costa del Sol, is the land of the sun, of joyful and easy going people, and is well known in the world for its touristy beaches like Marbella, Estepona, Torremolinos and Fuengirola, amongst others. To me this region is the epitome of easy living, laughter, sunny days and incredibly healthy and refreshing food. Having been with my husband many times to Malaga on visits to Beatriz and her family, the Taillefers, I can now say that the gazpacho that we have enjoyed at their home and their childrens' homes was one of my favorites. So today, I will share with you the recipe that Beatriz shared with me so many years ago; even if it's a slight variation from the traditional Andalusian recipe:

Ingredients for a "light" Andalusian Gazpacho:

• About 2 lbs of very ripe plum tomatoes, washed and cut (skinned will be optional)
• About 1 cup of cucumbers, washed and partially peeled (you may peel them completely but the belief is that by leaving some skin, they will be easier to digest)
• 1 or 2 garlic cloves 
• About 1 to 1 1/2 cups of ice cold water (this depends on how you want the consistency)
• Salt to taste (I put about 3/4 tsp to 1 tsp)
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

In a blender at full speed blend all ingredients until desired consistency.  Refrigerate immediately and let it cool in a glass pitcher for at least 4 hours before serving. Enjoy it on a glass, or as a first course in a bowl. You may always garnish with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions or even croutons. Cheers!

Do you have any favorite gazpacho recipes? Share them with us.

You can see my friend's Beatriz Taillefer's portfolio at www.beatriztaillefer.artelista.com/en/ and Eduardo Guille's portfolio at www.eduardoguille.artelista.com/en/

Bea and Eduardo in their civil ceremony last week in Malaga