Simple Gazpacho

Makes 4 servings.

Nothing is more welcoming on a hot summer’s day than a refreshing cold soup. Mercifully this THICK gazpacho is not dependent on the tomato season, which can be very brief.   

If you would like to make the gazpacho more wholesome, add a variety of condiments, such as diced Kirby cucumbers, seeded and diced bell peppers and croutons. I also recommend serving this soup hot.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped

• 14 oz cherry tomatoes

• One carton, 26.46 ounces strained tomatoes (Pomi)

• 2-3 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt

• Tabasco, optional

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Snipped chives for garnish

PREPARATION:

1. Place the onion in a bowl and cover with boiling water (this step removes some of the acidity). Let stand for 15 minutes then drain and press to extract all the water.  

2. Place the onion, cherry tomatoes, strained tomatoes, lime juice and olive oil in a Vitamix and puree until very smooth. Season with Tabasco, sugar, salt and pepper and chill for at least 2 hours.

3. Before serving adjust the seasoning.

4. Garnish with chives snipped with scissors.

Creamy Gazpacho

Makes 4 servings. 

This delicious, easy to make creamy gazpacho is best made with local farm tomatoes, which unfortunately, are usually not available until the end of July through early October. This soup is really a faux gazpacho because I cook the soup for a short time, then I puree it and serve it chilled with condiments. It can also be frozen, but be sure to whisk it well to bring back its creamy consistency.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 onion, coarsely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, cut into pieces

• 1½ pounds ripe tomatoes

• 1½ cups tomato juice

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground pepper

• Kirby cucumber, diced (See Note)

• Bell pepper, seeded, diced

• Snipped chives with scissors

PREPARATION:

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for a few minutes.

Add the sun-dried tomatoes.

Rinse the tomatoes, remove the core, cut into small pieces and add to the saucepan along with the tomato juice. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat and cook, covered, 15 minutes. The tomatoes will be soft.  

Puree in a Vitamix until silky and smooth.  Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Chill and garnish with the cucumber, bell pepper and chives.

NOTE:

I prefer to use Kirby, Persian or English cucumbers because they have fewer seeds and are less watery.  

Gazpacho

Makes 6 servings.

Since tomato season is very short – usually from July until early October or however long the warm days of early Fall remain – I urge you to take advantage and try this soup.   

If you like your gazpacho to be more nourishing, you may want to serve it with condiments, such as chopped seeded cucumber, chopped bell pepper, chopped red onion,  chopped peeled tomato and croutons.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, rinsed, cored, cut into large pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, rinsed, cored, seeded, cut into large pieces
• 2 Kirby cucumbers, peeled, ends discarded, cut into large pieces
• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded, cut into pieces (See Note)
• ½ small red onion, cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, approximately
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Snipped chives for garnish, or an assortment of condiments
• 1 slice gluten free whole wheat grain bread, optional

PREPARATION:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a Vitamix and puree until very smooth. (If you like your soup a little coarser, puree it for a shorter time.)  If your soup is not as thick as you like it add 1 slice gluten free whole wheat bread cut into pieces and puree.
2. Season to taste with vinegar, salt and pepper and serve it very cold garnished with chives or the suggested condiments.

NOTE:

When seeding jalapeno peppers, I advise wearing thin plastic gloves to avoid irritating your skin or your eyes.