Ajoblanco Recipe

Ajoblanco Recipe: Andalusia’s Refreshing Cold Almond Soup

Today, I’d like to take you to the sunny south of Spain, to the heart of Andalusian cuisine. I’m here with a recipe that brings a cooling touch, an elegant flavor, and features almonds as the star ingredient: Ajoblanco. If you’ve never heard of this dish before, you’re in exactly the right place. In this article, I’ll share not only the recipe for ajoblanco but also all its details.

What Does Ajoblanco Mean?

Ajo means garlic, and blanco means white in Spanish. The name reflects both the dominant flavor and the color of the soup. Ajoblanco is a simple yet distinctive dish, combining the sharpness of garlic, the creamy texture of almonds, and the light acidity of vinegar. Especially on hot summer days, it’s served as a refreshing appetizer, much like gazpacho.

A Brief Introduction to Andalusian Cuisine

Andalusian cuisine belongs to the southern region of Spain and is a fusion of Spanish, Arab, Jewish, and Christian culinary traditions developed over centuries. Olive oil, vinegar, almonds, citrus fruits, fish, and spices are staples of this rich culinary heritage. Ajoblanco is one of the finest examples of this multicultural blend. In cities like Granada, Málaga, and Córdoba, it’s a summer essential on many tables.

How to Make Ajoblanco

You can easily find the ingredients for this recipe. The best part is that there’s no cooking involved — just a few simple steps. All you need to do is blend the ingredients together.

Tips for Making Ajoblanco

• Remove the garlic germ: The green sprout inside the garlic clove can make the flavor too harsh and is harder to digest. Removing it ensures a smoother, more stomach-friendly taste.

• Use raw, skinless almonds: This makes a big difference in texture. If your almonds are unpeeled, you can blanch and peel them easily following standard methods.

• Soak the bread: Soaking the bread beforehand ensures a smoother consistency. Don’t skip this step.

When and How to Serve Ajoblanco

This refreshing soup is most popular during summer, served as a light appetizer before lunch. Since it’s served cold, chilling it in the refrigerator for a few hours enhances its flavor.

Instead of serving it as a soup, you can use less water to create a thicker dip, perfect for serving with raw vegetables or breadsticks.

Health Benefits of Ajoblanco

• Rich in vitamin E and healthy fats thanks to almonds.

• Heart-friendly and digestion-supportive due to olive oil.

• Immune-boosting properties from garlic.

• Gut-supportive effects from vinegar, especially natural grape vinegar.

If you’re looking to bring new flavors to your kitchen and try something refreshing for the summer heat, definitely give this recipe a try.

Enjoy the recipe...

Enjoy!