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How to make chilled, smooth cantaloupe and tomato soup

This is an old Mark Bittman recipe from the New York Times. Unlike traditional gazpacho, the fruit is cooked, pureed and then chilled. It has a lovely texture and is perfect for warm summer days.

48
STEPS
INGREDIENTS

Gather your ingredients. If you have a kitchen scale, go ahead and weigh the fruit. Make sure you have about 3 pounds of cantaloupe and 1.5 pounds of tomatoes.

Gather your ingredients. If you have a kitchen scale, go ahead and weigh the fruit. Make sure you have about 3 pounds of cantaloupe and 1.5 pounds of tomatoes.

Seed and cut the cantaloupe into chunks. My cantaloupe is very large, so I am only using half.

Seed and cut the cantaloupe into chunks. My cantaloupe is very large, so I am only using half.

Core, peel and seed the tomatoes. It's important to remove the seeds, as they are impossible to pur\u00e9e. The skins need to be removed since they are bitter.

Core, peel and seed the tomatoes. It's important to remove the seeds, as they are impossible to purée. The skins need to be removed since they are bitter.

Cut the tomatoes into chunks.

Cut the tomatoes into chunks.

Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in 2 skillets. It's important to use 2 skillets so that the cantaloupe and tomatoes sit in one layer. Turn the heat to high.

Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in 2 skillets. It's important to use 2 skillets so that the cantaloupe and tomatoes sit in one layer. Turn the heat to high.

Cook the cantaloupe and tomatoes, stirring, for about 2 minutes (or until they become juicy).

Cook the cantaloupe and tomatoes, stirring, for about 2 minutes (or until they become juicy).

Add the cantaloupe, tomatoes, basil leaves, 1.5 cups water, salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Pur\u00e9e until smooth. If you want to thicken it, and make a bit richer, add more olive oil.

Add the cantaloupe, tomatoes, basil leaves, 1.5 cups water, salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth. If you want to thicken it, and make a bit richer, add more olive oil.

Transfer to a covered container and place in the refrigerator. When chilled, add the juice of one lemon, as well as salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to a covered container and place in the refrigerator. When chilled, add the juice of one lemon, as well as salt and pepper to taste.

An easy way to swirl olive oil on top of soup is to use a small squirt bottle like this one.

An easy way to swirl olive oil on top of soup is to use a small squirt bottle like this one.

Pour the soup into individual bowls. Swirl some olive oil on top and garnish with a couple basil leaves.

  • 1.0 Cantaloupe, about 3 pounds
  • 4.0 Tomatoes, about 1.5 pounds
  • 5.0Tbsp Olive oil
  • 15.0 Basil leaves
  • 1.0 Lemon
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1/2c Water