Gazpacho Andaluz on a hot Friday night

It was really hot yesterday in Portland with close to 100F.  Not our usual temperature in the summer, but we get a couple of hot spurts every year.  Temperatures otherwise are very moderate so we do not have Air Conditioning.  So on a hot day, we just go with it.  Close the curtains, doors to keep out the heat, go in the basement to cool off and cooking, well yesterday it was just too hot for that....So what to  make for dinner?  Too hot for cold cuts - Vesper -,  that is were the Gazpacho entered the stage :)

We stopped at New Seasons Market to pick up groceries, and find out the best way to make Gazpacho.  As always it was a success,  lovely Peggy hooked me up with her favorite recipe for "Gazpacho Andaluz".  Oh my, was it fantastic!  I added avocado slices to each bowl,  served it with Oregon Bay Shrimp and our favorite tortilla chips on the side.  Yummy, so easy, no cooking time, just perfect for a hot summer day.

I bought perfectly ripe, and juicy heirloom tomatoes which really brought in the taste of summer.

Gazpacho Andazluz  New Seasons Market, Hawthorne Branch
2 lbs. very ripe tomatoes, chopped - keep all of the juice
1 green pepper, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 red pepper, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cucumber peeled, and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 slices of bread - I used crusty French Batard
1/2 Cup of extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons of White Vinegar
1 Cup ice water - I added ice cubes
Salt, and black pepper to taste

Garnish
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cucumber, finely chopped
1 avocado sliced (optional)
Handfull of tortilla chips (optional)
Oregon Bay Shrimp (optional)

• Add all ingredients - not the garnish - into a food processor and blend until well mixed.  Make sure it does not get too smooth.  Adjust salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar to taste
•  Chill for at least 2 hours.
• Serve with garnish on the side

Note:  I do not have a food processor, so I used my blender and made the Gazpacho in two batches.  It worked out well.