Basic red gazpacho

 
                             BASIC RED GAZPACHO
 
 Recipe By     : 
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Spanish                          Main dish
                 Vegetarian                       Soups
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    3       lb           Ripe tomatoes, roughly
                         -chopped
    1                    Red or yellow bell pepper,
                         -seeded, stemmed, and
                         -roughly chopped. DO NOT USE
                         -GREEN BELL PEPPER!
    2                    Pickling (Kirby) cucumbers,
                         -peeled and roughly chopped
    4                    Slices good stale white
                         -bread, crusts removed
    6       c            Cold water
    1       lg           Or 2 sm cloves garlic,
                         -peeled
      1/4   c            Sherry or good wine vinegar,
                         -or to taste
      1/2   c            Olive oil
                         Salt and freshly ground
                         -black pepper to taste
                         Garlic croutons, if desired
                         -for garnish
 
   Mince a bit of the tomato, pepper, and cucumber for
   garnish, and set aside. Soak bread in a cup of the
   water for 5 minutes, then squeeze out excess water.
   
   Place bread in a blender or food processor with the
   remaining tomato, pepper, cucumber and water, garlic
   and vinegar; process until smooth, then add olive oil
   slowly with machine running.
   
   Season to taste with salt and pepper and refrigerate
   until ready to serve. Before serving, check seasoning
   again, and garnish with reserved tomato, pepper,
   cucumber, and garlic croutons.
  
 
 
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