GAZPACHO!

I am making a delicious and refreshing Spanish soup called Gazpacho, which is made from fresh home grown Tomatoes from my own veggie patch for Meeta from "What's for lunch honey" blog's Monthly Mingle with the theme of "Earth food" this month. Thanks for choosing this wonderful theme Meeta!:)



Earth Food:
What's Earth Food? It is as simple as growing your own vegetables, WITHOUT using the boosters and artificial means like hormones to grow them bigger and "better looking" vegetables.It's about encouraging the farmers to grow more Organic food and encouraging them by buying from the Farmer's market,thus helping them and us in the process of reducing the negative effects of toxic chemicals in our food and environment and also experimenting with "Super foods" which are full of healthy nutrients.Sounds great,huh?:))
There are several things we can do at home to help conserve Energy and water as well:
Even though these sounds like little things now,in the long run,it is big deal to save the Earth and make it a better place to live for out future generation.Here are some;
Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
Use less water,only as much as you need it to water the plants,washing dishes etc..
Take quick showers instead of using Bathtubs and watering the plants only when they need it.Keep the lawn clean off of any weeds which causes allergy.
Keep your appliances up to date so they don't use more Energy than necessary.
Use and re use bags,do not buy too many packaged food items or disposables.
Recycle paper like printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc., plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans.
Replace the regular bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.
Here are some links to read and learn here, here, and here.
Now coming to the recipe;
I thought what is more appropriate than this Spanish/Portuguese style Gazpacho soup with my own additions for an Earth Food theme! I used Tomatoes that are home grown with no chemicals and any added boosters,so they are smaller and as fresh as you can get along with other vegetables.To make it even better candidate for Earth food,they are not cooked at all,so all the nutrients are intact and preserved to make it as healthy and tasty as you can imagine!!

Spanish style Gazpacho:

Gazpacho is a cold refreshing soup,perfect for hot Summer days when you get many garden fresh summer vegetables and you don't want to slog in front of the hot stove.Make sure to use fresh vegetables for this soup and chill overnight to seep in the flavors.It's the most delicious to eat on it's own or with a piece chunky bread.
Although, main ingredient is Tomatoes for this soup,there are many variations of the same dish.So feel free to add any vegetables you like.You can garnish with hard boiled Eggs as well just before you serve for a touch of Protein!

Here they are! Fresh off the plants from my garden: Plum Tomatoes,Pear Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes:


How I made Gazpacho:
8-12 or as many you want ripe tomatoes any kind you like,chopped.I added all those you see up there to make it colorful,1 red sweet onion,finely chopped,1 cucumber,peel,seed and chop.1 Carrot,grated or cubed small,1 Yellow or red or green bell pepper,cubed,1 celery chopped,1 tbsp Mint leaves,finely chopped,2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley,2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1tbsp Cilantro,2 garlic, minced,1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce,1 tbsp Olive oil,1 Jalapeño,minced or any hot sauce you like, 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar,1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice,1 tsp sugar,Salt and pepper to taste.
Mix all these in big glass jar with fitted lid and chill for 6hrs or overnight.Serve in a bowl with crusty bread or 1/2 cup cooked rice for a refreshing lunch!:)
(You can also blend these coarsely as well if some of you lazy bums don't want to chop all these veggies!!:D)

Bottled up and ready to chill!:))

My Gazpacho jar ready to pose on my backyard deck!:D YUP! There you see my veggie patch on your right on the ground where all the Summer magic happens and in the far side,you see my neighbor's beautiful flowering trees.

There they are again! On the plants as they were just before I plucked them!:))


So that's it this week, have a great weekend.We really can save the Earth one person at a time! Hope you at least try, recycle today!!:)