Beat the heat with Gazpacho

Posted on 09. Aug, 2012 by Wendy in Canola Recipes, What's New

Do you enjoy soup even on a hot day? I do! It seems that I’m not alone. During a quick twitter poll, I had a few people in favour of hot soup on a hot day. Furthermore, on a recent lunch at a restaurant, I was surprised to find out that they were out of soup and it was over +30 that day.

I may be a fan of soup on a hot day but I don’t enjoy actually cooking it (or anything else) indoors when it’s as hot as it’s been across Canada this summer. I know I’m not alone on this, I see my neighbours barbecueing their evening meals almost every day too.

The perfect solution? A cold soup that requires no cooking, and yes there is such thing. You’d be surprised to see how many different types of cold soups you can make. A common summer favourite is Gazpacho. Gazpacho is a tomato-based and traditionally served cold soup originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucía.

It is simple to prepare and muy delicioso as we say in Spanish.

GAZPACHO

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups tomato juice (750 mL)
• 2 Tbsp canola oil (30 mL)
• 1/4 tsp hot sauce (1 mL)
• 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped (2 )
• 1 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped (1 )
• 1 red pepper, peeled and chopped (1 )
• 1 green pepper, peeled and chopped (1 )
• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped (1 )
• 1 carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped (1 )
• 1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped (1 )

DIRECTIONS

In a food processor, blend tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, green pepper, onion, carrot, garlic, canola oil, hot sauce and tomato juice until almost smooth. Season and refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve with cilantro and croutons.

Blend ingredients in food processor.

Blend until almost smooth.

CROUTONS 

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 slices multi grain bread, cut into small pieces (4 slices )
• 1/4 cup canola oil (50 mL)
• 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (30 mL)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Toss bread with canola oil, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, until crisp. Stir occasionally.

Be Well…Wendy

Wendy

Wendy is a Communications professional; blogging about food is where her love for food and words collide. Her other hobbies include teaching Zumba, doing yoga, cooking, reading and travelling as much as she can. Follow Wendy on twitter @weliaslo.

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Tags: canola, canola oil, cold soup, gazpacho, spain, tomatoes