Gazpacho Gelées with Avocado Cream

• Recipe by Philippe Braun

Philippe Braun, who created this soft, slightly spicy tomato jelly topped with an unctuous avocado cream, is the extremely talented executive chef at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris. One of Joël Robuchon's closest associates, Braun travels with the master to keep standards high at outposts in Las Vegas, Tokyo and, later this year, New York City.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup drained canned tomatoes, chopped
2. 1/2 cup peeled, seeded and chopped cucumber
3. 1/2 cup peeled and chopped red pepper
4. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
5. 1/4 teaspoon very finely chopped garlic
6. Dash of Tabasco
7. Pinch of ground cumin
8. Salt
9. 3/4 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin
10. 1 Hass avocado—seeded, peeled and chopped
11. 1/4 cup water
12. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
13. 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. In a blender, puree the tomatoes with the cucumber, red pepper, vinegar, garlic, Tabasco and cumin. Pass through a fine strainer into a glass measuring cup. Season with salt. Transfer half of the mixture to a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the mixture and let stand for 5 minutes. Cook the mixture over moderate heat until the gelatin is melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the remaining tomato mixture. Pour into 4 small glass bowls and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, clean out the blender, then puree the chopped avocado with the water, lime juice and olive oil. Season with salt. Spoon the avocado cream over each gelée and serve.

Make Ahead

The gelées and avocado puree can be refrigerated separately overnight.