Really Good Gazpacho

FROM CYNDI'S KITCHEN CUPBOARD

Really Good Gazpacho
Serves 8-10

Gazpacho is high summer in a bowl.  This ice-cold, uncooked vegetable soup, made primarily of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions and seasoned with olive oil and vinegar, is sometimes referred to as “liquid salad” in its native Spain.  A cool, refreshing treat that is sure to delight everyone’s taste buds and give you a break from cooking over a hot stove during the summer heat.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe medium beefsteak tomatoes (about 1 ½ pounds), cored and cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 2 small red bell peppers (about 1 pound), cored, seeded, and cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 2 small cucumbers (about 1 pound), one peeled and the other with skin on, both seeded and cut into ¼ inch cubes
• ½ small red Vidalia onion, peeled and minced (about ½ cup)
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup sherry vinegar (substitute with white wine vinegar if can’t find)
• Ground black pepper
• 5 cups V8 low-sodium vegetable juice
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 8 ice cubes
• Extra-virgin olive oil for serving.

Directions:

1. Combine tomatoes and their juices, bell peppers, cucumbers, onion, garlic, salt, vinegar, and pepper to taste in a large (at least 4 quarts) nonreactive bowl; let stand until vegetables just begin to release their juices, about 5 minutes. 
2. Stir in tomato juice, hot pepper sauce, and ice cubes; cover tightly and refrigerate to blend flavors – at least 4 hours. 
3. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, remove and discard any unmelted ice cubes, and serve ice cold.  Drizzle each portion with about 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil and garnish with croutons or extra raw, cut vegetables.