Summer Gifts......

 For me, fresh summer produce is like receiving a gift that you've been pinning  for for a long time.  Here's one of the  recipes I use when the gifts start arriving.

Ina's Gazapacho.... 

• 2 hothouse cucumbers, halved and seeded but not peeled ( I use Lebanese Cukes)
•  3 red bell peppers, cored and seeded
• 8 plum tomatoes
• 2 red onions ( I use only one)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 46 oz. tomato ( I use between 4 and 5 cups)
• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Roughly chop the cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and red onion into 1 inch cubes.  Put each vegetable separately into a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until 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, salt and pepper.  Mix well and  chill before serving.  The longer the gazpacho sits the better it tastes.  I serve mine with goat cheese, croutons  and a little extra olive oil on top.