Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 12:00     Subject: bland gazpacho

Anonymous wrote:Update: I added a hot pepper, more salt, some good, thick balsamic (no sherry vinegar here) and let it rest overnight. It's amazing. Thank you all.

Today, watermelon & tomato gazpacho. Wish me luck.


So great to hear! I’m an earlier PP and I should have also mentioned the resting time. It always tastes blah right after being mixed. That overnight sit probably helped you out too!
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 11:48     Subject: Re:bland gazpacho

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Rice wine vinegar is more sweet than flavorful. Sherry, the traditional Spanish vinegar, has a distinct flavor.

Add a green pepper. It's the only time I ever cook with a green pepper and it does give that kick.

Nothing wrong with adding more salt. Gazpacho is cold which means more salt than usual as the chilled temperate dilutes flavor.


What kind of green pepper?


Your basic green pepper.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 10:51     Subject: bland gazpacho

Usually when food is bland the problem is the seasoning. You didn't add enough salt.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 10:41     Subject: Re:bland gazpacho

Jose Andres’s recipe always turns out well for me: https://parade.com/688267/parade/jose-andres-favorite-gazpacho-recipe/
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 10:37     Subject: Re:bland gazpacho

Anonymous wrote:Rice wine vinegar is more sweet than flavorful. Sherry, the traditional Spanish vinegar, has a distinct flavor.

Add a green pepper. It's the only time I ever cook with a green pepper and it does give that kick.

Nothing wrong with adding more salt. Gazpacho is cold which means more salt than usual as the chilled temperate dilutes flavor.


What kind of green pepper?
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 09:58     Subject: bland gazpacho

Update: I added a hot pepper, more salt, some good, thick balsamic (no sherry vinegar here) and let it rest overnight. It's amazing. Thank you all.

Today, watermelon & tomato gazpacho. Wish me luck.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 09:34     Subject: bland gazpacho

sherry wine vinegar

smoked paprika
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2023 09:32     Subject: bland gazpacho

I agree with some PPs about salt. You need to add more than you think you need, tasting as you go.

Also, I use red wine vinegar, a bit of stale bread, a good amount of olive oil, and some smoked paprika. A Vitamix makes short work of this, and the resulting soup has an almost creamy texture. It’s sublime!
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 18:27     Subject: Re:bland gazpacho

Rice wine vinegar is more sweet than flavorful. Sherry, the traditional Spanish vinegar, has a distinct flavor.

Add a green pepper. It's the only time I ever cook with a green pepper and it does give that kick.

Nothing wrong with adding more salt. Gazpacho is cold which means more salt than usual as the chilled temperate dilutes flavor.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 18:27     Subject: bland gazpacho

Salt and pepper?
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 18:24     Subject: bland gazpacho

As others have said, a fairly strong vinegar is key. Sherry is classic; I usually use a good red wine vinegar if I don't have it.

To the bread-haters: my technique is to soften the bread in oil and vinegar for about ten minutes while prepping the veggies. Contrary to a PP, yes the bread soaks up the flavors and that's a good thing, because it then imparts oil-and-vinegar goodness to the whole mixture once blended. I use a good-quality bread with some substance of its own, old baquette if one is handy.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 17:34     Subject: bland gazpacho

The bread done sucked up your flavor.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 17:32     Subject: Re:bland gazpacho

A pinch of cayenne. A shallot. Red wine vinegar. Skip the bread.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 17:32     Subject: bland gazpacho

Sugar. You’ll be surprised. Roma tomato’s are probably sweeter than what you used.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2023 17:27     Subject: bland gazpacho

Just keep adding small amounts of salt until it tastes better. Salt brings out flavor.

And you need some spice.