Quick gazpacho

I don’t have a picture, but (as a friend pointed out) it’s a good time to post this recipe. We’re finally getting to that point of the year, in Texas at least, where we can get great tomatoes. My little tomatoes aren’t quite there yet, but they’re getting closer every day…check it out:

Anyway, this a great easy recipe that you can make in the food processor. Even though I’m letting a machine do most of the work, it looks much prettier at the end if you mince a small portion of the veggies by hand.  That’s not officially in the recipe, but it really is better.

3	ripe medium beefsteak tomatoes, cored and quartered
2	medium red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and cut into rough 1-inch pieces
2	small cucumbers, one peeled and the other with skin on, both seeded and cut into rough 1-inch pieces
1/2	small sweet onion, peeled and chopped
2	medium toes garlic,  pressed through
2	teaspoons table salt
1/3	cup vinegar (sherry is best, but red wine vinegar works too)
	ground black pepper
5	cups tomato juice
1	teaspoon Tabasco
1	Cup ice cubes
	EVOO for serving

1. Process tomatoes in food processor fitted with steel blade until broken down into 1/4- to 1-inch pieces, about twelve 1-second pulses; transfer to large bowl.
2. Process peppers until broken down into 1/4- to 1-inch pieces, about twelve 1-second pulses; add to bowl with tomatoes. Repeat with cucs.
3. Process onions until broken down into 1/4- to 1-inch pieces, about twelve 1-second pulses. Set onions aside in a separate bowl and add the garlic, salt, vinegar, and ground pepper to taste. Let sit 15 minutes, then stir in tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers and let stand 5 more minutes, until vegetables just begin to release their juices.
4. Stir in tomato juice, hot pepper sauce, if using, and ice cubes; cover tightly and refrigerate to blend flavors, at least 4 hours.
5. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, remove and discard any unmelted ice cubes, and serve cold, drizzling each portion with about 1 teaspoon EVOO. (Can be covered and refrigerated up to 5 days