The mercury is rising in Charlotte. Summer is here and as it gets hotter, my urge to use my oven gets lower. I start to look for tasty ways to put together a dinner for my family without overheating us in the process. Enter garden fresh gazpacho.
The inspiration for this meal actually came the day I headed over to my friend Kate’s house for a play date and some lunch. While the kids were playing we headed out back to her beautiful vegetable garden where she proceeded to hand me a yellow squash and some jalapeno peppers. Score! I don’t know about you, but to me, there is nothing better than fruits and veggies plucked straight from the bush. They just taste fresher and, dare I say it, healthier.
I brought home my spoils and tried to figure out a way I could incorporate both the squash and jalapeno without cooking them up so much that they’d lose their fresh, healthy flavor. Of course the natural answer was gazpacho. If you’ve never had it before, prepare yourself for a healthy, tasty summertime treat. It’s a cold tomato soup that is loaded up with healthy goodness and yummy spices. The best part is, the longer it sits in the fridge, the better it tastes. So if you think it’s tasty at dinner time, wait until you bring it out for lunch the next day!
Alright, head out to your veggie garden, grab up some fresh veggies and let’s put this soup together. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients Needed:
6 Cups of Tomato Juice
1 Red Onion, Diced Fine
3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
3 Roma Tomatoes, Diced
1 Small Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped
1 Jalapeno, Seeded and Chopped (Feel free to add 2 if you like it spicier)
2 Celery Sticks, Chopped
1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
1 Lime, Juiced
1 tsp of Cumin
1 tsp of Salt
1 Tbsp of Chili Powder
1 Small Handful of Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
Optional Cayenne for Spicing it up to your liking
The first step is to add your tomato juice to a big bowl and add in your onion, garlic, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeno, and celery. Mix it up well.
Next you’ll add in your lime juice and olive oil. Mix it up well again.
Finally you’ll add in your cumin, salt, chili powder, and if you’re using it, your cayenne. Mix it up one more time. Let me note that I used frozen cilantro because I didn’t have any fresh on hand, but if you have fresh, definitely use it!
Now comes the hard part. Stick it in your fridge and wait at least two hours for the flavors to meld together. When you’re ready to eat it, pull it out of the refrigerator, pour some in a bowl and top with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped avocado. Can you say yummy? I know I can.
Garden Fresh Gazpacho
Ingredients:
6 Cups of Tomato Juice
1 Red Onion, Diced Fine
3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
3 Roma Tomatoes, Diced
1 Small Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped
1 Jalapeno, Seeded and Chopped (Feel free to add 2 if you like it spicier)
2 Celery Sticks, Chopped
1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
1 Lime, Juiced
1 tsp of Cumin
1 tsp of Salt
1 Tbsp of Chili Powder
1 Small Handful of Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
Optional Cayenne for Spicing it up to your liking
Directions:
Add your tomato juice to a big bowl and add in your onion, garlic, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeno, and celery. Mix it up well.
Next you'll add in your lime juice and olive oil. Mix it up well again.
Finally you'll add in your cumin, salt, chili powder, and if you're using it, your cayenne. Mix it up one more time.
Stick it in your fridge and wait at least two hours for the flavors to meld together. When you're ready to eat it, pull it out of the refrigerator, pour some in a bowl and top with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped avocado.
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Julie this looks fantastic. I'm not sure my kids would eat it though.. did you boys like it? My son loves tomatoe juice so I think he'd like it. Your soup is a powerhouse of healthful stuff, eh? Love the photos as always.
Mmmm, my favorite summer dish. Can't wait to try it.
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner?
http://www.MaWhats4Dinner.com
Sarah, if I'm being completely honest, I'll say they ate it but they didn't ask for seconds. We had a really yummy dessert available if they each ate 10 bites (with veggie hunks!) which they both did without issue. (No, I'm definitely not above bribing my children to get a little healthy food in them.) All three of my boys LOVE tomatoes, so I think that helped a bit.
So to answer your question, yes they ate it, but no they won't be asking for it as their special birthday dinner. 🙂
Julie–I didn't realize you lived in Charolotte!! One of our son's is in Charleston right now on a mission trip and he's DYING of the heat and humididty down there!!! And we've had cold (50's) and rain since he left!!
Julie,
What a wonderful way to celebrate all of the beautiful produce this season. I am heading to the farmer's market this morning and I hope to pick up some fresh veggies!
Your gazpacho looks awesome! Love the chunky texture! Perfect for the summer season!
Mmmm those pictures are really good, my mouth's watering 😀
Xoxo
Sarah
Anne, It's been ridiculously hot here the past few days. Charleston is a fabulous city! There is so much history and beauty there. I'll bet he loves it!
I love just walking around the armory and looking at all the historic homes there.
A meal that doesn't use the oven? Count me in! It's getting way to hot to be in the kitchen making more heat!
I found your blog through Mingle Mondays on Meg's blog! And your cooking photos looks sooo yummy!! I really want to try that gazpacho! 🙂 I love trying out new recipes!
agirlinthesunshine.blogspot.com
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for doing a wonderful job with this blog and would like to commend you on your hard work.
I was given the opportunity to review "Mommie Cooks." and I'm more than happy to let you know that your blog has been added to the Blogging Women directory.
I'm proud to add another quality blog to our women's blog directory. Continued the great job you are doing and be sure to watch for our monthly contest where your blog could be listed in the "Featured Blogs" section!
Yeah a veggie recipe (since I am trying to stay on my vegetarian path). I only recently tried a gazpacho (I can hardly believe it!) and it was tasty. This looks really great…another to add to my list! You never disappoint! Email me if you would like to be a Tickle Pink feature!
i suddenly have approximately 137 squash and zucchini in my garden, so i foresee some gazpacho in my immediate future. 🙂
That looks super delicious! I will definitely try that out. My daughters are all soup-lovers ad would prefer eating just soup for lunch! lol.
This is one amazingly gorgeous bowl of gazpacho! Looks very hearty and colorful. I love it!!
Found via gojee. Super tasty and refreshing — thanks!
Very yummy! Good spice blend and not too tomato-y surprisingly. When I make it next time I think ill half the onion. Thanks!