CREAMY CHICKPEA GAZPACHO

Creamy Chickpea Gazpacho image

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 15-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained (only 1/2 cup goes into the soup; you'll roast the rest)
3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
1 1/2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes (cored and diced large (I usually use an heirloom mix but other types work just fine too))
1 medium cucumber (peeled and diced large)
1 small shallot (approx. 1 ounce, peeled and roughly minced)
2 medium cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Additional smoked paprika (diced cucumber and diced tomato for topping)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add 1/2 cup of the chickpeas to the pitcher of a blender.
Rinse remaining chickpeas. Spread a couple of paper towels on a rimmed baking sheet and spread chickpeas on top. Gently blot tops of chickpeas with additional paper towels until they're relatively dry. Place the dried chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Sprinkle with a couple of pinches of kosher salt and toss gently until coated with oil and salt. Discard paper towels and pour chickpeas onto baking sheet. Bake until golden and slightly crispy, 25-30 minutes.
While the chickpeas are roasting, make and chill the soup. To the 1/2 cup chickpeas already in the pitcher of the blender, add the remaining ingredients (aside from toppings). Puree until smooth. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until very cold.
Ladle into bowls and top with cucumber, tomato, roasted chickpeas, and a light sprinkle of smoked paprika. Serve.