Let’s face it; it is HOT outside. A recipe that doesn’t require heating up the whole kitchen and slaving over the stove is a blessing in this weather. Gazpacho is an excellent way to get fresh, wholesome nutrition without sacrificing taste. It is easy to prepare and can be eaten with a protein (adding grilled shrimp…yum!) or a salad for a light and healthful meal. The roasted garlic adds a minimal amount of extra work (largely unattended), but it adds layers of deep and delicious flavor.
- 5 Medium Tomatoes (cored and chopped)
- 1 Medium Cucumber (peeled, seeded and chopped)
- 2 Ripe Avocados (peeled, pitted and cubed)
- 4 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 4 Cloves of Roasted Garlic (excellent tutorial here)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- chopped cilantro and/or parsley as garnish (about a handful)
- 1c Roasted or Raw Pistachios (chopped for garnish)
Once the ingredients (minus the garnish) have been chopped/prepared, place them in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer the soup to an air-tight container and chill. Serve with cilantro/parsley and pistachio garnish. (Toast the pistachios right before serving in a pan over low heat until you smell a nutty fragrance from the nuts. Chop and use as garnish.) You can always add your favorite hot sauce if your would like a little bit of heat.
The garlic, avocado, pistachio and cilantro/parsley all provide benefits to the respiratory and cardiovascular system and offer added antioxidant benefits. You are also providing vital potassium to your body with the tomatoes and avocados. The whole soup offers an excellent source of hydration in the heat without washing away nutrients. All that and it is delicious, too. Enjoy!
Living Well 