Ajo Blanco

Ingredients

• 150 gwhite bread, day-old
• 200 gblanched almonds
• 50 mlextra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
• 1 clovegarlic
• 1 1/2 tbspred wine vinegar
• 1 tspsalt
• 700 mlwater, ice-cold; half for soaking the bread, half for blending

Method

1. 1

   Put the bread in a bowl and pour over half the water (about 350 ml). Let it soak for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Blend the soaked bread, almonds, olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, and salt with the remaining water (about 350 ml) until completely smooth — a good 2–3 minutes in a blender for a silky texture.

3. 3

   Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Serve drizzled with extra olive oil and a grind of black pepper.