Andy Shernoff was always the main creative force behind one of New York’s best bands ever, the Dictators. He wrote the material and sang the leads. In the royal line of succession for NYC bands in the ’70s, they came along right after the birth of the New York Dolls. Every bit as raw, noisy and in-your-face as the Dolls, there was one thing the Dictators didn’t share with David Johansen and Co.: their sense of fashion. Rather than climb on the glam bandwagon, the Dictators dressed in leather jackets, jeans and T-shirts and paved the way for the punk revolution of 1977. Shernoff is doing the solo thing these days, with a new single called “Are You Ready To Rapture?” He’ll also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Shernoff: I love gazpacho; I’ll eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnight snack. The interesting thing is I’ve tried it in every region of Spain, and nobody makes it in the same way. It’s really a cold, tomato soup “concept”; do your own funky thing with it. It’s quick, easy, super-healthy. ¡Y tiene mucho sabor! At home I just throw the following items together without any rhyme, reason or measurement. Work out the ratios to your own taste. The only pre-requisite is quality, fresh ingredients.
Tomatoes: This is the foundation and main ingredient; if they aren’t summer ripe you can add tomato juice.
Cucumbers, onions, pepper, garlic.
Olive oil, vinegar; traditionalist add sherry vinegar but balsamic will do.
Salt, black pepper, red pepper, hot sauce, cumin, smoked paprika.
Bread: This will thicken up the soup and add texture. If you prefer it thin don’t add any bread
Throw it in the blender, let it sit in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors meld, then enjoy. No need to thank me … but you’re welcome!
Video after the jump.
