Tomato Gazpacho Waffle Bites

Serves 4 · 25 min prep · 15 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp divided kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp divided olive oil
• 2 tbsp minced fresh basil
• 2 lb ripe tomatoes
• 1 medium English cucumber
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• for drizzling extra-virgin olive oil
• as needed cooking spray

Instructions

1. 1Make the gazpacho first so it can chill. Core and roughly chop the tomatoes, peel and seed the cucumber, and seed the bell peppers. Combine vegetables in a blender with the garlic, sherry vinegar, most of the salt, two tablespoons olive oil, and ice water.
2. 2Blend until completely smooth and silky, 60 to 90 seconds. Taste and adjust salt or vinegar. Chill the gazpacho in the refrigerator at least 20 minutes while you prepare the waffles.
3. 3Preheat a mini or standard waffle iron to medium. Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, remaining salt, and smoked paprika.
4. 4Whisk buttermilk, egg, and remaining olive oil; stir into the dry mix just until combined, then fold in minced basil. Batter should be thick but scoopable.
5. 5Spray the iron. Cook small waffle rounds or cut standard waffles into bite-size squares after cooking. Aim for deep golden color and crisp edges, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
6. 6Cool waffle bites on a rack so they stay crunchy. If needed, re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 3 minutes just before serving.
7. 7Ladle chilled gazpacho into small cups or shallow bowls. Arrange four warm waffle bites alongside or floating as crouton-style dippers.
8. 8Top each serving with crumbled feta, torn basil leaves, a grind of black pepper, and a final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
9. 9Serve immediately as a light, playful lunch: dunk the savory waffle bites into the cold tomato-pepper gazpacho for contrasting temperatures and textures.