INGREDIENTS

  • 1 onion, sliced in 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 serrano pepper
  • 1 head garlic, roasted, peeled and mashed
  • 3 cups diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced watermelon
  • 1 English cucumber, peeled
  • Flesh of 2 avocados
  • 8 ounces spicy vegetable juice, preferably V8
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or Basil Oil (see recipe below), plus more for garnish
For the Basil Oil
  • 4 cups tightly packed basil leaves
  • 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

GUIDE / INSTRUCTIONS

For the Watermelon Gazpacho
  • Heat an outdoor or indoor grill to high and grill the onion and peppers until charred and softened. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl, cover and let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Stem, seed and skin the peppers.
  • In a blender, pulse the grilled vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, avocados, vegetable juice, lime juice and vinegar until blended to a paste. With the blender running on low speed, slowly add the oil in a thin, steady stream, blending until the soup is creamy. Add cold filtered water as needed to adjust the consistency.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Serve slightly chilled with a drizzle of basil oil.
For the Basil Oil
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Place the basil in a strainer and blanch it in the boiling water for about 10 seconds. Transfer the strainer of basil to the ice water, swishing the basil in the water to ensure it is well chilled. Remove the strainer of basil from the water and squeeze the basil gently to release excess water. Chop the basil.
  • In a blender, combine the chopped basil, olive oil and salt. Blend until the basil is pureed and the mixture is frothy. Let rest for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, pressing gently to separate the oil from the solids.

For cruise comparisons or ship reviews related to Oceania Cruises click here.

Oceania Cruises, a culinary and destination-focused cruise line, offers small, luxurious ships with gourmet cuisine and destination-rich itineraries, calling on over 600 ports in more than 100 countries across seven continents. They operate a fleet of small, luxurious ships that can accommodate up to 1,250 guests. Oceania sailings include accommodations, shore excursions, port shuttles, activities, food and most beverages, specialty dining and entertainment.Oceania Cruises attracts affluent retirees and discerning travelers looking for a refined, no-frills experience, as well as solo travelers, couples, and empty nesters.

Key Features of Oceania Cruises includes: 1. Small Ship Luxury – Oceania’s ships are smaller than larger cruise lines, providing a more intimate and personalized experience. 2. Gourmet Cuisine – They are renowned for their culinary program, with restaurants offering diverse and high-quality dining options. 3. Comprehensive Itineraries – Oceania’s itineraries cover a wide range of destinations, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. 4. Destination-Rich Experiences – They offer immersive tours and insider experiences that explore the cultural and culinary traditions of the destinations. 5. High Staff-to-Guest Ratio – Oceania boasts a lower crew-to-passenger ratio than many other mid-size cruise ships, ensuring personalized service. 6. Personalized Comfort – They aim to create a sense of comfort and personalized service for all guests. 7. Suite and Stateroom Options – Oceania offers a variety of accommodation options, including Owner’s and Vista Suites, Oceania Suites, and Penthouse Suites, with varying levels of luxury and amenities. 8. Included Amenities – Oceania Cruises includes a variety of amenities in their base fare, such as specialty restaurants, in-suite dining, and some beverage packages.

This Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe is tasty.

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