Ajo Blanco, Spanish White Garlic Soup

Serves 4

Ajo blanco is an Andalusia cold white soup, perfect to cool down with on a hot summer’s day. Ajo blanco is also known as white gazpacho; like gazpacho it is served cold and made with garlic, bread, oil and water. Unlike gazpacho it is white and creamy. Ajo blanch gets its creamy delicious texture from almonds.

For anyone who loves garlicy food this is a perfect recipe. This white Spanish soup is quick and easy to prepare, just add most of the ingredients to a blender and blend, to finish of add grapes and melon. A wonderful lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

• 200g of almonds, blanched, peeled
• 4 slices of bread
• 2 garlic cloves
• 7 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp vinegar 
• 800ml cold water
• 200g of grapes
• 4 slices of melon

Method

1. Soak the bread in 300ml of water.
2. In a blender, blend the garlic, salt and almonds.
3. Remove the bread from the water and squeeze out excess water. Add the bread to the blender and blend.
4. Gradually add the olive oil to make a smooth paste, then add the vinegar and water until it is a smooth thin soup.
5. Add the grapes and chill until ready to serve. Serve with a slice of melon.