GAZPACHO

What a great recipe for hot summer days!  (Or anytime for that matter!!)

1 1/2 cup toasted bread cubes (can use salad croutons)
4 cups vegetable juice, mix hot and regular for a little zip (ie: V8 juice)
1 green bell pepper seeded, diced
1 cucumber, diced
1 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp olive or canola oil
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tomatoes, diced
1 to 3 drops hot pepper sauce (depending on taste)
1/4 tsp granulated sugar or Splenda Granulated
salt to taste
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Combine 1 cup of the bread cubes with 2 cups of the juice; set aside.

In blender container combine half the bell pepper, cucumber, onion, garlic, oil, and vinegar; blend until smooth.  Pour into a 2-quart container.

Place the bread cube/juice combo into the blender along with the remaining 2 cups of juice, 1 tomato, hot pepper sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper; blend only until smooth - just a few seconds.  Add this to the other mixture in the 2-quart container.  Chill.

To serve, pour into bowls and pass the remaining ingredients as garnishes with the soup.

File photo for reference only. Not this exact recipe.