KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Local Chef Nicole Shute is in the FOX4 Kitchen bringing a taste of what’s to come when Verde opens at Lightwell.

Gazpacho Verde with will be served as the first course of Shute’s debut dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, as part of the Chef Series at Strang Hall.

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow heirloom tomato, cut into chunks
• 1 cucumber, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 3 green onions
• 2 mild Hatch green chilis, deseeded and chopped
• 1 small green pepper, deseeded and cut
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 bunch cilantro, stemmed
• 1 bunch watercress (substitute 1 cup baby spinach leaves if necessary)
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• Garnish-crispy prosciutto or bacon, burrata cheese or Mexican crema, herbs or microgreens
• Canola oil, for frying

Directions

• Place all ingredients (except the garnish) in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pass liquid through fine mesh strainer. Taste and season with salt if needed Chill soup for 2-3 hours or overnight.
• To crisp prosciutto or bacon, heat ½-inch canola oil in shallow pan. Roughly chop prior and crisp in hot oil a few minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Pour gazpacho into bowls, scoop out a spoonful of cheese and gently swirl with the tip if a knife into the soup. Sprinkle crunchy prosciutto and finish with any fresh herb leaves or microgreens.