7.19.2011

Summer Gazpacho

One of my best friends went through a routine surgery several weeks ago, but something terribly went wrong and she slipped into coma for 9 days. It was the most excruciating and agonizing days for her family and all of us who know and love her dearly.

But God heard our cries and answered our fervent prayers and woke my friend up. And we all cried again but with joy and gratitude this time. Several days after waking up, my dear friend was able to eat diced foods and I was so thankful to be able to make something she can enjoy!

Instead of savory tomato soup, I hoped she could taste my love and care. And family and friends are all rejoicing at the great progress she is making each day. Thank You, Lord......

Red bell peppers, cucumber, and ripe tomatoes are coarsely chopped in a food processor. Leave them chunky for texture. I reduced the garlic and onion for my friend.

3 cups of tomato juice....

And just a small dollop of chili garlic sauce to brighten up the flavor.



Print This Recipe!

Summer Gazpacho
Makes 4-6 servings
Adapted from Ina Garten's Recipe

1 hothouse cucumber, halved and seeded, but not peeled
1 red bell peppers, cored and seeded
4 plum tomatoes
1/4 red onion, more if desired
1 garlic clove, minced, more if desired
23 ounces tomato juice (3 cups)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup good olive oil
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon or more of Garlic chili sauce
1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Roughly chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions into 1-inch cubes. Put each vegetable separately into a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until it is coarsely chopped. Do not overprocess!

After each vegetable is processed, combine them in a large bowl and add the garlic, tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, garlic chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill before serving. The longer gazpacho sits, the more the flavors develop.

Garnish with sliced cucumbers and serve.

20 comments:

  1. :hugs: i LOVE to see how you are blessing "K" as she recovers! what a gift of love; miles better than hospital food, I'm sure! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow. amen. i can only imagine what everyone went through. Glad to hear the good news about your friend.

    -julie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kay I'm glad to hear that your friend is well. This gazpacho looks so refreshing, love the addition of the garlic chili sauce.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That other Miz K, since her arrival, has been such a blessing to her church and her choir. Praise be for her recovery - the uncertainty of the wait was excruciating for her family and friends, but we trust in God's timing and His healing. You are also God's blessing to us, and your blog is as well. May God Bless You and Your Family, Bob ><>

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so glad your friend pulled through. What a tough time that must have been for everyone around her. I am sure she could feel your love and support through your Gazpacho.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a bright and beautiful soup!
    I'm so glad that your friend woke up--how scary for everyone who loved her. I'm sure she felt the love through this soup.

    ReplyDelete
  7. the color jumps right off your blog, lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my gosh! What a scary thing to happen, and what a miracle that your friend woke up!
    I love the bright colors from your beautiful pictures :)
    Haley @ The Girly Girl Cooks

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so thankful that your friend woke up. I can't imagine what you all experienced over the past weeks and I'm so glad she's on the mend. I know she must have enjoyed this beautiful soup. The flavors sound wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Absolutely gorgeous pictures!!! This is the kind of recipe I love when the tomatoes are at their ripest!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so glad that your friend is OK. I'm sure she enjoyed the gazpacho. It looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you everyone! My friend has a long recovery ahead so please keep her in mind in prayer! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Praise God! I pray your friend's recovery is quick and complete. This gazpacho looks so scrumptious, even at 7 in the morning. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kay - So happy to hear your friend came out of coma. My prayers are with her for fast recovery. I can tell this gazpacho was made with full of love and care. It looks so beautifully delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a terrible fright - I'm so glad she's ok -
    Your soup looks SO good and SO refreshing. I love the addition of the chilli oil!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kay, that had to be terrifying! I'm so happy to hear that she's back on the mend and doing better. What a gorgeous soup you shared with her; I'm sure she tasted all the love you put into it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Whoops.....let's make that He with a capital H!

    ReplyDelete
  18. thankyou for visiting today,, wouldn't it be nice if we could sit down and visit over a bowl of this soup!!!

    ReplyDelete