Sevilla, Spain
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I have been to Sevilla a number of times in my life; while I was a student, as a solo-traveler, with my job, with my now husband before we were married, and recently with my kids. I fell in love with the city and its cobblestone, narrow, and–sometimes–mysterious streets. What I really fell for, besides the historic buildings, heavily influenced with Moorish architecture, was the gazpacho. I couldn’t get enough of it. The cold tomato-based soup, made with the perfect amount of sweet and acidity. Made with the rich Andalusian floral-tasting olive oil, sherry vinegar, garlic and bread. Served with an accoutrement of chopped vegetables to scoop into the soup for texture and crunch.

As a family who loves to travel, this was my secret excuse to get back to Sevilla. We decided Spain would be a wonderful family travel destination. The question was: do we go north or south? For me, this was an easy answer: South towards Sevilla. I was on a mission to get back to eat all the gazpacho I could in the couple of days we had in the city.

Of course, there is more to Sevilla than the gazpacho. Clear blue skies with the sun beaming down or the swallows that surround the Cathedral at dusk.  The care-free attitude of the Sevillanos strolling in and out of the cafes to take their morning cafe or their evening drink.  It is a great city for kids with its winding pedestrian streets, fabulous weather and large looming cathedral. Like Sevilla, there are a great number of wonderful European cities  that are just as quaint, historic, and filled with a great array of things to do and see. With its many cafes and parks, your kids will convince you to take one of the horse drawn carriage rides available throughout the city.Sevilla, Spain

Cathedral of Sevilla Santa Maria

“Wow, that’s Christopher Columbus in there.” Our kids were overwhelmed with excitement seeing his tomb inside the Cathedral. They also loved the size, the fact that their voices echoed and how high the ceilings were. The third largest Cathedral in the world, The Seville Cathedral has an impressive gothic style and well as an impressive size. For those kids that have studied Christopher Columbus, they will be excited to see his ornate tomb housed inside the Cathedral.  Although some would argue he’s buried in Dominican Republic. Monday: from 11:00 AM to 3:30 AM Tuesday to Saturday: from 11:00AM to 5:00PM Sundays: from 2:30PM Sevilla Spainto 6:00PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Giralda

Our kids made a race of running to the top. Half way up, they slowed down as the winding, steep stairs got the better of them. However, the view we experienced from the top was well worth the trek. The bell tower of the the Seville Cathedral. The Giralda is attached to the Cathedral with the entrance leading to a spiral staircase. Not for the faint of heart, but the kids will try, for sure, to run up all the stairs. Once at the top, you will get a beautiful view of the city of Sevilla.

Hospital de la Caridad

As our daughter said upon arriving to the chapel, “Why does every painting have death in it or represent death?” Thoughts of a 9-year old. In Ictu Oculi, sums up a visit to this chapel. However, the sheer size of the works of art are a visual treat as they fill up entire walls of the small chapel. We do love this chapel, morbidness and all. A visit to this Baroque chapel will leave you stunned and amazed at just how impressive the artwork is. It makes one realize just how precious life is. The working hospital still cares for the elderly and poor. Monday to Sunday from 10:30AM to 7:30PM.

Centro de Interpretation Juderia

To understand Sevilla’s culture, one must understand Sephardic Jewish Culture. So much tradition and food came from the Jews of Sevilla. Bringing our kids to see just influential the Jewish Community was in Sevilla left an impression on all of us. However, it goes without saying that it left our hearts heavy to know that the community was forced to convert, hide or were killed during the Inquisition. Museum dedicated to Sevilla’s Jewish past. Very informative with some historic artifacts. Monday to Sunday 11:00AM to 7:00PM.

Carriage Ride

There was a lot of begging for this one. The horses were too cute not to have a ride. What parents could say no? We could not. Most of the rides will take you through Maria Luisa Park and by The Plaza de Espana. What kid doesn’t want a carriage ride?

Where We Stayed

The endless options of places to stay in this city can be overwhelming, but I knew we wanted to stay near the Cathedral. I booked at the Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana. Nice enough place, no breakfast, but located close enough to many cafes to grab a quick bite. The hotel is walking distance to all major sights in Sevilla and was able to accommodate all five of us in one room. One nice touch was that they did have some toys and art supplies for the kids–the little touches.



Booking.com

 

My Attempt to Consume as Much Gazpacho as Possible in Two Days

We were in Sevilla in summer. The perfect season for the perfect,vine ripe tomatoes . I don’t know if it’s the Andalusian sun, the soil, but the tomatoes in the south of Spain, have the perfect balance of sweet and savory with the right amounts of acidity. These tomatoes are what makes the gazpacho so tasty. I was on a mission to not only eat as much as possible, but to also replicate the taste of the delicious, cold soup in my Gazpacho, Spainown kitchen.

While on my mad, slightly obsessive, gazpacho eating culinary explorations, kids discovered Pringa a dish consisting of beef or pork with sausage cooked in fat for hours and served with bread. This became their breakfast of choice for the time in Sevilla. It was only three breakfasts, it was a great stick to their ribs meal, that gave them the energy to explore throughout the day. I on the other hand went straight for the Gazpacho, analyzing the taste, observing the manner in which it was served and ingredients. I asked questions in my broken Spanish about the soup and savored the bold flavors all the while creating a recipe in my head of how I would make it at home.

Gazpacho, SpainI only make gazpacho in the summer time. Tomato season. I wait until I can get my hands on local ripe tomatoes as well as other locally grown vegetables to put in the soup. I must admit that when I make my gazpacho, I do not use measurements, I just add to taste. I do however, use a high-powered blender, the Vitamix https://amzn.to/2M8BFcb to blend all of the ingredients. The other step I do, which you don’t need to, is I use a chinois https://amzn.to/2vwA7OW. I am actually slightly obsessed with using this kitchen tool, as it makes the soup come out silky and beautiful. The chinois allows you to strain out thepulp from the liquid. Some prefer to eat their gazpacho chunky. Gazpacho, SpainI prefer a silky soup that I can add chopped vegetables, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, back into the soup. My final touch is that I drizzle some good quality Spanish olive oil on the top. This enriches the flavor of the soup.

Gazpacho Recipe

I’ll reiterate that I typically don’t use measurements, but will give them for my recipe.

Print
Gazpacho

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Category: Soup

Cuisine: Spanish

Yield: 4-5

Gazpacho Spain

Cold Tomato soup, originating from Southern Spain.

Ingredients

  • 4-5 vine ripe large tomatoes. If you can only find small, use 5
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 cucumber seeded
  • 1/2 green bell pepper
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup red onion
  • 3-4 inch piece of baguette, crusts cut off
  • 1/2 cup of good quality Spanish olive oil
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt. More to taste

Instructions

  1. Take your bread and let soak for a minute or two in warm water. Drain and squeeze water out of the dough of the bread. Put aside
  2. If you have a powerful blender, you will not need to remove skin from tomatoes. However, if not, you can remove the skins by submerging the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water, put in a colander to cool, and then slide the skins off
  3. Cut up all vegetables in large chunks.
  4. In the blender add the garlic, vinegar, vegetables, salt and soaked bread.
  5. These may not all fit at once, so you may have to blend some of the ingredients in order to add more.
  6. While blending, slowly add the Spanish olive oil.
  7. Taste, you may have to add a bit more salt depending on your taste.
  8. Optional:
  9. Slowly pour the well blended soup into a chinois that is resting over a bowl or a pitcher.
  10. Using a pestle, slowly mash the juices from the pulp until no more juices flow.
  11. Put the soup in the refrigerator to cool.
  12. Serve cold with chopped pieces of cucumber, bell pepper and red onion
https://www.fivefamilyadventurers.com/sevilla-spain/

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Gazpacho spain

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Comments

  1. I’ve never heard of Sevilla, but by reading your post it makes me want to go now. Definitely putting it on my bucketlist when I visit Spain in the future

    Reply

  5. Wow, what a place! I have never been to Seville but I visited Barcelona a few years back. Anyway, I have heard ripe tomatoes there is probably the best in the world and Gazpacho is something you have to try before you die.

    Reply

  12. I haven’t heard of gazpacho before. It is totally new to me. But my taste buds are adventurous and are game to try new things. Wish I could find a local store who sells this food.

    Reply

  13. I am definitely making Gazpacho as soon as possible, thanks for detailed recipe. Sevilla was always on my bucket list when I visit Spain, you increased my urge to go there soon…. Amazing post.!!

    Reply

  21. We also love to travel and have some dished we just go back for on some of the places we’ve been to. This gazpacho sounds and looks amazing. My youngest daughter loves tomato soup, can’t wait to give this recipe a try and see what she thinks of it.

    Reply

  26. What an amazing family trip! I bet it was fun to visit again and see it through the eyes of your children. My mouth was watering as I read your post, so thank you for including a recipe at the end. Now I know what to do with all my extra tomatoes!

    Reply

  33. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of try gazpacho but I am planning to give your recipe a try with all of our CSA share goodies. Thanks so much for sharing your personal recipe!!

    Reply

  43. It is my dream to visit Sevilla though we have not decided yet, it’s a good thing to know what places to go. Thanks for the recipe you shared btw!

    Reply

  44. Your trips to Sevilla sounds like are nothing short of spectacular! The dish your kids had for breakfast sounds so good, but I am with you on the gazpacho. It’s delicious! I love having it with toasted baguette and goat cheese. Mmm…

    I need to try out your gazpacho recipe in the near future. I’ve never made it for myself, but between your post and the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe…it’s going to happen.

    Reply

  47. My hope is to find a small place somewhere outside of Sevilla one day. I love the laid back atmosphere, food and weather. Its my goto winter getaway.

    Reply

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