Mexican Gazpacho

There is nothing quite so refreshing on a warm summer day as fresh a homemade gazpacho recipe. No need to cook over a hot stove for this recipe.

Gazpacho is best made with sweet vine ripened tomatoes, rather than those pale orange globes we get in the middle of winter.

Add a mix of red pepper, onion a touch of garlic and some herbs and you have quite a Mexican delight.

Use extra virgin olive oil for this recipe, as the taste of the oil really does make a difference.

The splash of red wine vinegar adds a nice touch of tart that really kicks the flavor up a notch.

You can also add your favorite hot sauce if you prefer a little heat in your cold soup.

Got a garden? This is a wonderful recipe to use up some of that extra produce that all seems to be ripe at the same time.

Homemade Gazpacho Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes, plus refrigeration Cook time: 0 minutes

2 cups seedless cucumbers, finely chopped
1 cup red pepper, finely chopped
3 cups ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 cups tomato juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup total of parsley, dill, oregano and tarragon, chopped

In a large bowl combine the cucumber, pepper and tomatoes. Add the onion, garlic, tomato juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the chopped herb mixture and stir to combine.

Refrigerate the soup for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Serves 8.

• It is important that the vegetables are finely chopped or the mixture becomes more of a wet salad than a soup.
• Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce if you prefer a hotter version of this wonderful vegetarian soup.
• If you want your soup a bit less chunky, get out the blender. You can use a hand blender right in the mixing bowl or put the soup into a regular blender and blend until it is the consistency you prefer.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving

Calories 98; Calories from Fat 63; Total Fat 7.0g; Saturated Fat 1.0g; Trans Fat 0.0g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 690mg; Total Carbohydrates 8.8g; Dietary Fiber 1.7g; Sugars 6.0g; Protein 1.7g; Vitamin A 32%; Vitamin C 75%; Calcium 3%; Iron 5%

(Percentages based on a 2000 calorie per day diet)