Gazpacho Recipe

Gazpacho is a cold, raw and very refreshing vegetable soup, there is not a single standard recipe. In Spain each village or even home has their own version.

This is my recipe, it is mostly but not totally raw:

1 clove of garlic

1 cucumber (peel, remove the seeds and then chop)

1 large tomato (cored and chopped)

2 ears of fresh corn (cut the kernals off, you can use canned corn but fresh is much better)

1 onion (chopped)

1 jalapeno (minced, use as much or little as you like it depends on how spicey you like your soup.  Remember to be careful when handling jalapenos, wear gloves when handling to avoid burns and don't use the seeds unless you like it really hot)

2 lemons (juiced)

1 bottle of tomato juice

1/2 jar of roasted red bell pepper (chopped)

5 oz jar of slice green olives with pimento

Olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

Peel your garlic clove, slice it in half and rub the cut sides of both halves on the inside of the bowl you will be using to hold your soup. You will get the flavor of the garlic without it being too overwhelming.

Add the next 9 ingredients to the bowl and mix.

Drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste and stir again.

Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.


Click Here for the video directions

Raw Foods

The Daily Green had an article on 8 foods you should eat raw, it was quite interesting. The next time I go grocery shopping (which will actually be today) I plan on picking up some of the foods they suggested.

#1. Nuts - we already do this one. Family faves are raw cashews, almonds, pecans and pumpkin seed (we soak/sprout and then dry before using). We also roast them when we make Chilpotle nut mix, we try to limit how often we do this, you can't stop eating it once you start and nuts are not cheap!

#2. Broccoli - I am having a hard time with this one, I barely like cooked broccoli (only in quiche or roasted in the oven) I do not like raw broccoli at all. But the article says that it helps your liver detoxify carcinogens, well that's worth choking some down, I'm going to have to find a really good dip.

#3. Garlic - This is a no brainer, raw garlic protects your DNA, hummus anyone?

#4. Juice - I am not a juice fan, it is far better to eat the whole fruit or vegetable. But if you are going to drink juice, raw juice is much better for you. It has not been pasteurized so you get the beneficial enzymes. Watch chugging the juice, it is way easy to overdo it.

#5. Salt - regular table salt has been heat and chemical treated. Raw salt has trace minerals, but I like it because I think it tastes better and it looks really nice.

#6. Cacao - Chocolate! Raw Chocolate! I will have to go and look for this one, it's a natural mood elevator. If you've ever tasted cocoa powder before adding the sugar and milk you probably have an idea of what raw chocolate tastes like. I found 99% Cacao bars at World Market, I like them.

#7. Chia Seeds - Well this is a new one to me. The only thing I remember doing with Chia Seeds was spreading them on a Chia Pet. I don't remember anyone suggesting that you eat them. Well it turns out they are a nutritional power house; Calcium, magnesium, antioxidant, fiber and omega 3 rich, oh I left out they also provide iron. The article suggested making pudding with the Chia Seeds for a nutritious breakfast. Update - my son has started making the pudding, I am learning to like it.

#8. Kimchi - My niece and nephew love kimchi, I've only had it spicy and it was a little much for me. Fermented foods like kimchi aid in digestion because they provide probiotics (good bacteria). I will save this one for special occasions, but I do make and enjoy fermented cabbage and cucumbers also known as sauerkraut and pickles;-)