Don’t know about you but lately on my trips to the local farm markets I become hypnotized with the beauty of the vibrant colors and the fragrance of the fruits and veggies, always purchasing more than I need, I sometimes feel like I am purchasing a collection of Mother Nature’s works of art, well they are.
But when you go shopping for fruits and veggies always go with a plan and a recipe in mind to shop for. And most of all don’t miss the colors of this season.
Fresh tomatoes and peppers, and a recipe to create a fresh authentic Gazpach, .authentic to the Andalucia region of Spain. Also a light recipe with only 250 calories a serving. This recipe makes 4 servings.
Shopping list :
*3 pounds fresh red, ripe tomatoes
*Extra virgin olive oil
*1 loaf crusty bread-day old
*1 fresh red pepper
*1 fresh cucumber
*white vinegar
*2 cloves fresh garlic
Gazpacho
In a bowl place 1 cup of day old crusty bread that has been cut into cubes and soak with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 2 cloves minced garlic, 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands and let sit for 30 minutes. Wash, cut into cubes, 3 pounds of red ripe tomatoes. Cut into cubes 1 cucumber and one red pepper. Set aside. In a food processor, blend together into a soup like consistency the cubed veggies and the soaked bread mixture. Place in refrigerator for an hour to chill. Serve garnished with cubed cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and a few bread croutons and don’t forget to place an ice cube in each dish of soup.
Enjoy our weekend, with a cool bowl of gazpacho for a light lunch or dinner.
For more recipes get your copy of the Award winning The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition
See you at; Sept 9-12th Hudson Valley Wine Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. On stage cooking appearances and book signing. For info on sponsorship email info@marialiberati.com
Maria
www.marialiberati.com where food meets art, travel & life!
