Salmorejo (Spanish Chilled Tomato Soup)

By Suzanne Anderson June 1, 2023 29 mins read 80 Views

Salmorejo is Spain's cold soup of tomato. This soup is similar to Gazpacho, but it's super creamy. It's a great summer comfort food.

Mark Beahm is the photographer.

I took a roadtrip along the coast of Cadiz a few years back. It was an amazing, windswept region in Andalusia. Over the course of one week, we drove from Gibraltar up to Sanlucar de Barrameda. Every day we stopped at a different town to enjoy the beaches, white-walled towns, and, most importantly, Spanish food.

Each town in the neighborhood had its own speciality. One town was famous for its mojama (thinly sliced tuna). Tortillitas or fried shrimp cake were a specialty of another town. In another place, we found pescaito Frito--little fried calamari-like fish with a delicate center. In each of the places we visited, salmorejo was served in a bowl that was pleasantly chilled.

Salmorejo, a creamy, garlicky cold tomato soup, is from Cordoba, a mountainous region to the north. But I discovered it in Cadiz during that hot summer. Yes, I had tried it in Barcelona and Madrid. It was always a surprise to me when I tried it in southern Spain.

In one restaurant, it was served as a separate course, with a lot of hard-boiled egg pieces, cubed Spanish Ham, and bread to dip in. It was served thicker in another restaurant as the base sauce to a small dish of grilled sardines. I even remember dipping my calamari in it.

This recipe is adapted from my favorite restaurant in Cadiz and can be used as an easy appetizer or light lunch. It is dairy free and gets its creamy texture from olive oil and stale bread. It's the same as Pan Con Tomate and a great way to use up any leftover bread!

To make it vegan, leave out the ham and eggs. You can also leave out the water and make a delicious fresh tomato sauce to serve over grilled salmon or chicken.

Table of Contents

What is Salmorejo?
Salmorejo Ingredients
Salmorejo Recipe: How to make it
Salmorejo's Best Tomatoes
Salmorejo Tips
Salmorejo: What to serve?
Spanish Recipes You Must Try
Salmorejo (Spanish Chilled Tomato Soup) Recipe

What exactly is Salmorejo Salmorejo?

Spain has many cold soups thanks to its warm summers. Gazpacho is the most famous, but I prefer salmorejo.

Salmorejo does not include the green pepper and cucumber that are found in gazpacho. It is made with just five simple ingredients: bread, ripe tomato, extra virgin oil, vinegar and sherry. It is creamier and thicker than gazpacho with a sharper acidity.

Gazpacho is usually served in glasses, but salmorejo will almost always be served in bowls. Salmorejo can be topped with Spanish Ham and chopped boiled eggs to make it a more substantial dish.

Salmorejo Ingredients

Salmorejo, or cold soup, is made from simple ingredients like stale tomatoes and bread. It's so good, I sometimes let the bread go stale to make it. What you will need is:

Tomatoes: Use in-season, very ripe tomatoes. Salmorejo's main ingredient, tomatoes, will be the most influential on its taste.
Bread - This is a recipe that will save any leftover stale, crustless bread. Use stale, crustless white bread from a baquette or boule. You can also dry your fresh bread in the oven if you do not have any stale white bread. Cube the bread and toast it at 300degF for 15 minutes until it is dry, but not brown.
Extra virgin Olive Oil:Olive oils helps to make salmorejo creamy without cream. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Hojiblanca comes from the same region as salmorejo . This will give it a nice peppery flavor.
GarlicA single raw clove of garlic packs a powerful punch. Try two cloves if you are a garlic lover like me.
Sherry Vinegar:Sherry has a slightly caramel flavor, and is milder in taste and acidity than red or wine vinegar. Rice vinaigrette is the closest replacement.
Fine Sea Salt: Because salmorejo is an uncooked, blended soup, fine sea salt is my preference. Fine salt dissolves more easily than coarse salt or kosher.
Black pepper: This spice adds some heat to the soup and enhances the flavors.
Hard-boiled egg:Salmorejo usually garnished by chopped hard-boiled egg (check our guide on how to hard boil an eggs for our tricks and tips). These eggs make the soup more substantial. If you want to make this soup vegan, leave the mushrooms out.
Jamon Serrano:Spanish-cured ham, another traditional but optional garnish. It gives the soup a salty, umami flavor.

Salmorejo Recipe

Salmorejo is easy to make. All the ingredients should be added to a blender, and blended until smooth and creamy. It will take about an hour for the soup chill.

Blend :Core 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomato and coarsely chop. Add the tomatoes to a blender. Add 1 garlic clove, 1/2 cup olive oil and 5 ounces stale, crustless bread. Add 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Blend at high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth. The soup should have a thick, creamy consistency similar to yogurt.
Thin the soup: Add up to 1/3 cup cold water depending on the amount of tomato juice.
Chill : Cover and refrigerate until chilled for at least one hour. Salmorejo can be eaten cold but the resting period allows for flavors to blend.
Serve the soup: Divide it into four bowls. Add 2 hard-boiled egg slices and 1/4 pound sliced ham to the soup. Finish with a dash of extra-virgin oil and a sprinkle of black pepper.

The Best Tomatoes to Use for Salmorejo

Salmorejo is only as good as the tomatoes you use! You should always look for the juiciest and most flavorful tomato you can find.

In Spain they use vine-ripened tomatoes. The vine-ripened tomato in US supermarkets isn't as tasty.

The best choice is red heirloom varieties that are bred to be flavorful and harvested at the peak of their ripeness.
Try to find a farmers' market during the summer or grow your own in your garden if you are lucky enough to have one.
When I go to the supermarket, I usually choose plum tomatoes, unless there is an heirloom tomato variety.
Choose tomatoes with a deep, red color. They should be very juicy and have some give to them when squeezed.
It's not necessary to peel the bananas before you chop them and throw them in the blender.

Salmorejo Tips

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks and tips from my friends. I've kept track of the ways that restaurants prepare salmorejo. Here are some of the ways I have used salmorejo, depending on what occasion it was:

Richen it up: Blend half an egg with the rest of the ingredients to make a richer-tasting soup.
To make it vegan or vegetarian, leave out the ham. If you want to make a vegan version of the soup, leave out both the egg as well as the ham. You can also garnish the soup using diced bell peppers or cubes from roasted eggplant.
Salmorejo Sauce Salmorejo, it's not just a tapa. Salmorejo sauce is also great for grilled or fried fish, particularly sardines. To keep the sauce's thick consistency, you can leave out the water if you want to use it for a sauce.

What to serve with Salmorejo

Salmorejo can be served as an appetizer with bread to dip in, or as the first course of a meal. It can be served as a tapa along with other Spanish small dishes. Andalusia borders both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Locals therefore serve salmorejo along with a spread seafood tapas. This sauce is great with sardines or fried or grilled calamari, as well as gambas alajillo.

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Our Shop Visit

Finish your Salmorejo by adding a few drops of Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Our Spanish olive oil is 100% Hojiblanca and has a peppery flavor.

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Salmorejo (Spanish Chilled Tomato Soup)

This Spanish tomato soup is refreshing and delicious, ideal for a hot day in the summer. It is a tasty and satisfying meal when topped with sliced boiled eggs and ham. Skip the toppings to make a delicious vegan meal. This classic Andalusian dish can be chilled in the refrigerator in 10 minutes with just a few ingredients and simple steps.

Course Appetizers, dinner, lunch, side, soup

Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Cuisine

Diet Low Lactose

Prep Time 10 Minutes

Chill Time 1 Hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Servings

Calories 444.9 Kcal

Author Mark Beahm

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatos cored, coarsely chopped
5 Ounces Crust discarded and inside torn into bite-sized pieces
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 crushed and peeled
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
1/3 cup 80ml cold water
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
1/4 pound diced jamon serrano or prosciutto, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

Puree the soup in a blender. Add the bread, tomatoes, olive oil and vinegar. Blend at high speed for 1 to 2 minute until smooth. The soup should have a thick, creamy consistency similar to yogurt. Add up to 1/3 cup cold water depending on the amount of juice in the tomatoes to thin the soup.
Chill :Cover the container and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Serve the soup in 4 bowls. If using, garnish with hard-boiled egg and ham. Sprinkle with black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve cold.

Notes

Pour turn this soup into sauce, do not add any water. Spread on grilled salmon breast or chicken breast.
How to boil hard-boiled eggs perfectly every time? Check out this guide.
Browse our shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oil, honey, jams, and spices.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 24.4g

The Mediterranean Dish first published Salmorejo (Spanish chilled tomato soup).

By: Mark Beahm
Title: Salmorejo (Spanish Chilled Tomato Soup)
Sourced From: www.themediterraneandish.com/salmorejo-spanish-chilled-tomato-soup/
Published Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:09:23 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the Mediterranean diet

To get started on the Mediterranean diet, begin by stocking your kitchen with fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. This could mean that you prepare different vegetables and protein every week, which can then be used in recipes the following day. Whole grains like quinoa or oat grattas and millet make great substitutes for refined grain. To add flavor and nutrients to meals, healthy fats like olive and sesame need to be used in the meal preparation. Garlic, oregano basil, garlic, and turmeric all make great additions for meals.

Is the Mediterranean diet primarily plant-based?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet has a large portion of its diet being plant-based. This ancient diet is primarily plant-based, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. Due to their history around the Mediterranean Sea, however, some animal proteins like red meat, poultry, and fish are not as prevalent in this ancient diet. You can choose to avoid these protein sources if you are a vegetarian/vegan. Other dairy sources such as soy yogurt and tofu are great options for extra nutrition and proteins.

Is the Mediterranean diet safe for people with diabetes?

People with diabetes and other medical conditions will benefit from the Mediterranean Diet. This diet emphasizes whole foods and limits refined sugars and carbohydrates. It also focuses more on healthy fats than butter and lard. This helps reduce diabetes risk in people who don't already have it. It also controls blood sugar levels and insulin for those with diabetes. Incorporating light exercise into your diet can help stabilize and regulate blood sugar levels. A balanced diet that includes healthy food substitutions, such as whole-grain bread being replaced with whole-grain bread and nuts being added to salads rather than crackers, can help manage symptoms of many different conditions.

Statistics

The research suggested that the diet reduced the risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and death, by about 30 percent compared with the control group. (medicalnewstoday.com)
Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)

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How To

How to adopt a Mediterranean diet for a healthier lifestyle

The Mediterranean Diet is a eating plan that takes inspiration from the traditional Mediterranean cuisines. It emphasizes healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables - emphasizing on intake of large amounts of olive oil and fish, along with moderate consumption of eggs, white meat, dairy products, and red wine in moderation. Regular consumption of plant-based foods like legumes and nuts is a hallmark of this diet. These foods are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants. These foods also have anti-inflammatory benefits that are well known.

A Mediterranean diet may offer several health benefits. These include longer life expectancy, better quality, better glucose control, better mental health, and reduced risk of developing certain cancers. Evidence suggests that there may be beneficial effects on weight control and prevention of cardiovascular disease. This lifestyle promotes healthy eating habits, including the promotion of healthy body composition and overall health. It also helps to reduce food cravings at random times during the day. The health benefits of this lifestyle are further enhanced by increasing your level of moderately vigorous activity, such as walking or biking all day and taking the stairs to work instead of the elevator.

Start a Mediterranean diet by eating more vegetables and fruits for snacks, meals, and sides. Refined grains should be replaced with whole-grain options, such as brown rice or quinoa, oats or barley. You can get more protein from fish, beans, or nuts. Olive oil should be used as the primary cooking fat. You can also use herbs and spices to season your food in place of salt. Moderate amounts of dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk, and milk should be consumed. For a complete Mediterranean diet experience, you can enjoy a glass wine at times.

It takes dedication and time to make adjustments to your daily menu plan. However, there are some tips to help you make the transition to a healthier lifestyle. Also, you can learn how to diversify your diet so you don’t become bored of the same ingredients. Last but not least, integrate grains, legumes, and high-fiber items that can help enhance satiety after meals.

Mediterranean eating encourages you and your family to enjoy good food, as well as the enjoyment of cooking. For a more balanced diet, it is possible to make small changes in your daily intake of whole foods. This dietary approach can offer health benefits that include a longer lifespan and better overall quality of living.