vegetables

Easy Summer Grilled Gazpacho

It’s summer and although our garden got put in late and has been slightly neglected with a new baby in the house we are still enjoying the bounty of garden fresh tomatoes! There is nothing quite like a delicious,,juicy, sun-warmed tomato picked fresh from your backyard. However, I can only eat so many BLT sandwiches and Caprese salads. I love this simple recipe for Grilled Gazpacho, it highlights the rich summer tomato and other easy to grow garden vegetables as well. The best part it that it is grilled giving this gazpacho a nice toasted depth of flavor. It is also made in a food processor and served cold. It’s super easy, light, refreshing and healthy. Enjoy this summer favorite of grilled gazpacho.

Grilled Summer Gazpacho Shooters
Grilled Summer Gazpacho Shooters

Grilled Gazpacho

1.5 pounds tomatoes 3-4 large tomatoes

1 large cucumber

2-3 yellow, orange or red bell peppers

1 medium red onion

6-8 tomatoes

1/2 cup olive oil

2-3 cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as tarragon, thyme, basil or parsley)

2-3 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Light a grill. Grill the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onion over a medium-hot fire, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are charred all over and almost softened, about 8 minutes. When the vegetables are cool enough to handle, remove the charred skins as well as any stems and seeds and chop them coarsely.

Roughly chop 2 tablespoons each of the tomato, cucumber, pepper, and onion and reserve these to garnish. Transfer vegetables and all remaining ingredients except chicken broth to a large food processor and puree. Add broth to thin to desired consistency, season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 3 hours but preferably overnight. Adjust the consistency and seasoning if needed. Serve in chilled bowls garnished with the reserved vegetables, fresh herbs, croutons or Parmesan cheese crisps.

You can serve this in  larger bowl or in smaller short glasses for an elegant chilled party appetizer!

Photos Styled by Rachel Sherwood, Photography by Isabel Subtil. See more here http://isabelsubtil.com/
Photos Styled by Rachel Sherwood, Photography by Isabel Subtil. See more here http://isabelsubtil.com/

 

Photos Styled by Rachel Sherwood, Photography by Isabel Subtil.

Dirty Foods

Dirty Foods

Dirty Foods

The new report points to strawberries as being the most pesticide-contaminated fruit or vegetable tested. It ranked higher than apple, which topped the list for the last 5 years in a row. The EWG looks at the results of tests done by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to produce their list. The results of another report done by CBS news found that almost all non-organic strawberries had pesticide resides and nearly half of the tested samples contained at least 10 different pesticide chemicals.

Yes, the FDA acknowledges that most pesticides are safe to consume, and the EPA argues the levels of pesticides found in fresh produce are safe to eat. They also warn that others have been linked to various health issues and neurological problems. So, who’s right? What do we do? By all means don’t stop eating the items found on the Dirty Dozen List. I hope you still love and enjoy strawberries. The EWG just recommends that you purchase the organic versions of the items found on the Dirty Dozen List and of course always thoroughly wash all produce before consuming it. In the end the choice is yours and with most things in life each choice we make has it’s own potential risks and rewards.

The “Dirty Dozen” list:

12.Cucumbers
11.Cherry tomatoes
10. Sweet bell peppers
9. Tomatoes
8. Spinach
7. Cherries
6. Grapes
5. Celery
4. Peaches
3. Nectarines
2. Apples
1. Strawberries

In addition to releasing its “Dirty Dozen” list, the organization also creates its annual “Clean Fifteen” list of fruits and vegetables that were found to have minimal amounts of pesticides:

The Clean Fifteen

15.Cauliflower
14.Cantaloupe
13. Grapefruit
12. Honeydew melon
11. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
9. Papayas
8. Mangos
7. Asparagus
6. Onions
5. Frozen sweet peas
4. Cabbages
3. Pineapples
2. Sweet corn
1. Avocados