Sweet cherries are a Middle Eastern fruit thought to have originated in Anatolia and later cultivated in al-Andalus.
Not the case for the tomato, of course, that American interloper. At Alejandro, a Michelin-star restaurant located in southeastern Spain, an elegant cocktail glass of this gazpacho kicks off their lengthy menu. You can increase the quantities to suit a normal-size dinner, but since the gazpacho is intense and dense, you won’t need large helpings. You will need to marinate it overnight.
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil and herbs, stir roughly together and leave to marinate overnight.
The following day, tip the mixture into a food processor and blend to a smooth puree. Strain into a bowl and return to the blender. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil to achieve a smooth emulsion.
Serve in small glasses, garnished with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and the mint or basil leaves.
Reprinted with permission from Andaluz: A Food Journey through Southern Spain,
Fiona Dunlop , 2018, Interlink Books, 978-1-62371-999-9, $35 hb, www.interlinkbooks.com.
You may also be interested in...

Recipe for Protein Balls With Dates and Nuts
Food
Al-Baghdadi wrote his hit medieval cookbook Kitab al-Tabikh (Book of Dishes) in 1226 CE at the height of Abbasid sophistication and power. It included this recipe for hais or date sweetmeats.
Cook Bangladesh’s Spicy Tomato Bhorta by Chef Asma Khan
Food
Bhorta or bharta is a generic term used in Bengal to describe anything that has been ground, pounded or chopped into very small pieces. It is a side dish almost like a relish, which is commonly eaten with rice and lentils.
‘Make It Your Own’: The Self-Belief Simmering in Noorjahan Bose’s Shemai Recipe
Food
A Bangladeshi dessert reflects hard-fought adaptability in life.
