Gazpacho

This fresh, no cook soup is the perfect refreshing summer meal.

The temperatures have reached 100+ here in Texas, with no relief in sight.  So, soup is not the first dish that comes to mind when meal planning.  But, wait... Gazpacho!  A cool, refreshing and so fresh soup that requires no cooking, so you won't heat up your kitchen.  It's the perfect way to use your fresh produce and delight in all of the flavors of summer.  Serve with Super Simple Guacamole and  tortilla chips!

1 Garlic Clove

1 small Onion

1 medium Zucchini

1 large Cucumber

(I use 4 small Persian cucumbers because they have very small seeds)

1 Yellow Bell Pepper

2 stalks Celery

4 large, very ripe Tomatoes

1/4 cup Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

4 Cups Tomato or Vegetable Juice

(I like to use Trader Joe's Low Sodium Garden Patch Vegetable Juice)

Hot Sauce (Tabasco) to taste

Salt and Pepper to taste

Gather and wash all of the vegetables.

Give everything a rough chop.

Put everything into the food processor.

I reccomend doing this in batches because the juices will leak if the bowl is filled higher than the height of the blade attachment.  I found this out the hard way! 

Pulse until the vegetables are finely chopped, but not pureed.  

Transfer each batch to a large bowl.

Add the olive oil, vinegar, tomato or vegetable juice, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

Stir well to combine and serve!