Issue Date: June 27, 2004
Make it a cold one
You'll want to start a hot-weather meal with classic gazpacho or these easy fruit variations.
Classic gazpacho blends tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers and herbs. It's soothing on simmering days.
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For the ultimate gazpacho, you must peel, seed, dice, salt and drain really good, vine-ripened tomatoes. So what if you don't have time to fuss with fresh tomatoes? I've found the canned variety makes a fine substitute. Another advantage: Fresh tomatoes start to deteriorate as soon as the soup is refrigerated, but canned tomatoes are unaffected by the chill.
Other fruits -- watermelon, pineapple, mango -- make intriguing variations. (After all, a tomato is a fruit.) Why not serve one of these gazpachos at your next summer gathering or with the dinner menu?
-- Pam Anderson
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Quick Classic Gazpacho
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes (I use Hunt's Petite Diced)
1/2 cup water
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 2 cups)
1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 3/4 cup)
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/2 cup)
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley, basil or cilantro
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Process 1/2 cup of tomatoes, along with the water and oil, in a blender or food processor until puréed. Transfer to a medium bowl, along with remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be made several hours before serving.)
Serves: 6.
Per serving: 85 calories, 2g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 5g fat (trace saturated), 2g fiber, 227mg sodium.
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Pineapple Gazpacho
Substitute 2 heaping cups of fresh pineapple in 1/4-inch dice and 2 cups of pineapple juice for the tomatoes and water.
Use a red bell pepper instead of yellow.
Substitute 3 Tbs. of fresh lime juice for the 2 Tbs. of vinegar.
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Watermelon Gazpacho
Substitute 2 heaping cups of 1/4-inch-diced watermelon and 2 cups of orange juice for the tomatoes and water.
Use 3 Tbs. of fresh lime juice instead of the 2 Tbs. of vinegar.
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Mango Gazpacho
Substitute 2 heaping cups of 1/4-inch-diced fresh mangoes and 2 cups of orange juice for the tomatoes and water.
Use a red bell pepper instead of yellow.
Substitute 3 Tbs. of fresh lime juice for the 2 Tbs. of vinegar.
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