Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe

For the basil oil:

• 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups packed basil leaves

For the gazpacho:

• 3 cups cubed day-old country bread, crust removed
• 3 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped basil leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 1/2 cups coarsely chopped tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 4 1/2 cups coarsely chopped watermelon (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2 small Kirby cucumbers, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 2 2/3 cups)
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

For the garnish:

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup minced watermelon
• 1/2 cup minced Kirby cucumber

1. Blend olive oil and basil leaves together until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let mixture steep for about 15 minutes before using.

For the gazpacho:

1. Place bread in a bowl, add water to cover (about 1/2 cup), and let soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bread and squeeze out excess liquid.
2. Finely mince garlic, basil, cayenne, cumin, and salt to form a rough, sandy paste.
3. Place tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, onion, soaked bread, and garlic paste in a large bowl and toss to mix. Let stand for about 15 minutes.
4. Working in four batches, place a quarter of the vegetable mixture in a blender (or use a hand blender), add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons water, and process until smooth. Transfer the puréed soup to a large, nonreactive bowl and repeat the blending process with the remaining vegetable mixture. Whisk in vinegar and adjust seasoning to taste.

For the garnish:

1. In a small bowl, mix cayenne pepper and salt until well combined. In a separate bowl, toss together watermelon and cucumber. To serve, top each bowl of gazpacho with 2 tablespoons of the watermelon and cucumber, sprinkle with cayenne salt, and drizzle with basil oil.

Beverage pairing: This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Spanish Albariño.