Gazpacho is probably my favorite summer dish because it has the essence of summer - fresh tomatoes.
I don't have a specific recipe, I usually look one up on the internet before making it and then wing it a bit. Generally I make a base using V-8 and a mix of fresh vegetables (some cucumber, pepper, tomatoes, red onions) with salt and pepper to taste, and lemon or lime juice for zest and kick. Fresh parlsey is necessary, too. To give it some more body I add stale bread and/or saltines and liquify it all in a blender. Totally liquify it, too. Add some hot sauce and adjust seasonings to taste.
When chopping up my fresh veggies, I put aside AT LEAST 1/2 of the fresh cucumber, pepper, tomatoes and chop them up into bite/salad size pieces. I add a bunch of chopped green onions to them, and keep them separate from the liquid gazpacho. When serving the soup, I put a generous scoop of fresh vegetables into the bowl, and then pour the liquified soup over it. Garnish with fresh parsley and a lemon or lime wedge for brightness. It is served cold and not cooked, and is very refreshing, a great way to get veggies in, and a great way to start a meal.
Most recipes call for a good bit of olive oil, but I don't usually use much or any. Skip the olive oil and be careful with the bread (the bread is NECESSARY, but just pay attention. 1/4 of a stale baguette is usually good enough.) and it is also a low calorie and ridiculously healthy dish.
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