Prep the garnishes
Trim the crusts from the stale white bread and tear it into rough pieces. Peel the garlic and lightly smash the cloves. Rinse, dry, and halve the seedless white grapes so they are ready for garnish.
Soak the bread
Put the bread in a bowl and cover it with enough cold water to soften it. Let it sit 5 minutes, then lift it out and squeeze it gently so it is damp, not soggy.
Blend the soup
Put the soaked bread in a jug blender with the blanched almonds, garlic, sherry vinegar, and fine sea salt. Add just enough of the water to get the blades moving, then blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly stream in the extra virgin olive oil and keep blending until the soup looks pale, creamy, and fully emulsified. Thin it with more cold water a little at a time until it pours easily.
Chill the soup
Taste the soup and add a little more salt or vinegar if it needs brightness, then cover and chill it 20 minutes so it is properly cold and the flavors settle.
Serve and garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls, top each one with the halved grapes, and finish with a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve cold.


vegan








