Ajo Blanco: White Garlic Soup with Grapes

Ingredients

• 6 ounces day old bread (a 3-inch cube), crusts discarded
• 1 cup blanched almonds
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 tablespoons wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/2 cup water
• 12 muscatel grapes, halved and seeded

Directions

Put the bread in a bowl and add water to cover. Let soak for 5 minutes until softened.

Meanwhile, place the almonds and garlic in a blender container (or, if using a hand-held blender, into a mixing bowl) and pulse until almonds are finely ground.

Squeeze out the water from the bread. Add to the food processor. Blend to a smooth paste.

With the motor running, add the olive oil in a slow stream, then the vinegar and salt.

Thin the ingredients with 1/2 cup of water to the desired consistency.

Place the blended contents in a tureen, wooden bowl or pitcher and add about 2 cups of water. Taste for seasoning, add more salt and/or vinegar if necessary. The soup should be fairly tangy.

Chill until serving time. Stir before serving into bowls. Garnish with grapes.