A refreshing homemade peach gazpacho recipe as well as a KitchenAid Blender review. I received a free blender from KitchenAid to review, but was not financially compensated for writing this post.
Between the power outages and website upgrades, it has been a hectic few weeks. So you can imagine my delight when I received a gift in the mail from KitchenAid: their new Crystal Blue 5 Speed Blender.
Everything about this machine is gorgeous. Crystal Blue is one of their latest colors and I’m tempted to redesign my entire kitchen around it. But the real question is how does it work?
I decided to test the blender with a recipe I’ve been developing for peach gazpacho. Peaches are in their prime right now and after the blistering summer temperatures we’ve experienced, I’m inclined to leave the oven turned off whenever possible.
The key to this recipe is ripe peaches, preferably from the farmer’s market. The quality of your peaches will take this recipe to extraordinary heights or leave you wondering why your soup is so bland. Trust me, I’ve made it several times with varied results. You’re never going to get the same quality of produce at the grocery store as you will from a local roadside stand or market. Flavor is everything in a good recipe.
Many recipes will have you blanch the peaches in hot water to remove the skins. This actually isn’t necessary if your peaches are very ripe. If you don’t mind getting a bit sticky, I’ve developed what I call the Twist and Squeeze™ method. Cut the peaches in half from top to bottom. With very clean hands, hold each peach over the blender and twist apart. Squeeze both sides very well. All of the pulp and juice will go straight into the blender (make sure the pit stays with you). If this doesn’t work, your peaches aren’t ripe enough! Discard the skins. Much faster than blanching, I say.
How did the blender work, you ask? Like a dream. I used the Puree button to turn my peaches into a silky nectar. I then used the Chop button on Pulse Mode to cut up my cucumbers. I prefer my gazpachos to be mostly smooth, but you can adapt this recipe to suit your preferences. You can actually just throw all of the ingredients together in the blender and chop or mix until you get the desired consistency.
I have one optional “secret” ingredient in this recipe. You don’t need to run out and buy some but it does take the soup to the next level. I’m speaking of ripe peach vinegar.
I found this wonderful vinegar at a specialty shop in Frederick, MD called Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium. You can order from them online or look for a similar shop in your area. Many specialty shops carry flavored vinegar.
Peach Gazpacho
Ingredients
- 7 very ripe peaches
- 1 small shallot, diced fine
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced finely
- 1 small or 1/2 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- optional: 2 teaspoons ripe peach vinegar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Puree the pulp and juice of the peaches (excluding the skin) in a blender until smooth.
- Stir in the additional ingredients by hand.
- Before serving, garnish each bowl with some diced cucumber, shallot and basil.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Disclaimer: I received this KitchenAid Blender for free. I did not receive any payment and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Rosemary Mullally says
Looks like it was a peach of a day. Nice blender :)
Rande McDaniel says
This sounds wonderful!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Yum!! Gazpacho is one of those things I’m eager to try. Fresh peach flavor? Now that sounds incredibly refreshing on a hot day! Plus, I am adoring that crystal blue blender! The color is phenom!
Lauren Kelly says
This looks so pretty!!
Sarah says
Ooh, this looks delicious!! Will see if I can find some peaches this weekend at the Farmer’s Market.
Elisabeth says
Looks good! How nice of KitchenAid to bedazzle you with beautiful gifts! :)
Roger Stowell says
Very keen on the blender, in fact all things KitchenAid. The peach gazpacho sounds pretty nice too.
Laura Dembowski says
The color of that blender is so pretty! I love KitchenAid products; they make baking so much fun and easier. I cannot imagine making Italian meringue or bread without my big stand mixer. The recipe looks really interesting too, especially the peach vinegar. I have a vinegar obsession!
Shirley says
Please add the email tab to the recipe page to save time for all. Thanks. Your pictures are great by the way
Savory Simple says
I always have them enabled… I’m not sure why they’re not showing up on this post.
Carolyn Chan says
That is such a wonderful twist on gazpacho! And I looove the colour of the blender!
Gill Bland says
Oh, this just makes me want good weather even more. I think I’d be using it to make soup, given the terrible rain we’re having over here, but that Peach Gazpacho is sending me to a sunnier place
Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook) says
wow, that gazpacho sounds lovely!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
That blender looks amazing and I love the color too! As for the gazpacho, what a gorgeous color. It looks like the perfect way to stay cool in this summer heat!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
this sounds absolutely wonderful. + i love the new blender – gorgeous color!
Cassie says
I love the color of that blender, and it contrasts beautifully with the peaches. Sounds like a great product!