Garden Gazpacho – 6 to 8 servings

Serve paired with some crusty bread and the cheese of your choice for a quick and refreshing summer meal.

32 oz tomato puree *
1 large cucumber, diced, pealed, and seeded
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 medium red onion
1 diced red bell pepper
1 diced yellow bell pepper
1 Tbs of mild hot sauce, like Pete’s or Crystal
¼ C red wine vinegar
¼ C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1) Combine all ingredients into a bowl and stir together well.
2) Chill and serve as is or add fresh herbs of your choice at time of service. Tarragon and basil are
excellent choices.

* Quality canned whole tomatoes pureed in a blender or food processor make this recipe quick and easy.
Using the Roasted tomato puree below takes this recipe to a different level.

Roasted Tomato Puree

This is an amazing way to use up extra tomatoes, or the “factory seconds” that are just too ugly to serve.
Some char is ok, and preferable, but stirring the tomatoes regularly is important to keep the surface from
charring too much. Make sure the tomatoes are cool before pureeing otherwise the sauce can come out
very orange. You may strain the final product, but I don’t find it necessary and enjoy using the whole
tomato. Try this recipe, it will become a favorite quickly.

You can add different herbs and seasonings as you wish. I prefer to leave the sauce basic tomato and
season later for my desired application.

5 lbs. rough chopped tomato halves and quarters depending on tomato size
8 Garlic cloves
½ of a medium onion, rough chopped
¼ C Olive oil
2 tsp Kosher Salt
1) Preheat oven to 400° F.
2) Rough chop tomatoes into approximately 2-inch chunks.
3) Place tomatoes, garlic, and onion into roasting pan.
4) Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with salt.
5) Place tomatoes in oven and bake for about an hour to an hour and a half, stirring every half hour.
6) Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature or colder.
7) Puree until smooth in a food processor or blender.
8) Store and refrigerate or freeze until needed.