Note: this piece first appeared as the August 2007 ClarkWellness.net Recipe of the Month.
Serves 4
Red wine vinegar pairs perfectly with ripe August tomatoes. Be sure to choose the highest quality ingredients you can find—the essence of what you use really shines through in this simple recipe.
4 large ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Place the tomatoes in a serving dish. Sprinkle the basil, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper on top. Serve immediately.
Note: this piece first appeared as the August 2005 ClarkWellness.net recipe of the month.
This smooth, flavorful, fresh soup is perfect for a light meal on a hot night. Tomatoes and cucumbers have a high water content, so gazpacho is cooling and soothing in August weather. Be sure to include your favorite toppings for garnishes—they’ll add extra crunch and interest to the dish. The olive oil is optional; add it when you want a richer, slightly heavier soup. If you’d like an extra kick, hot sauce can be added to the whole recipe, or you can sprinkle it onto individual servings.
Serves 4 to 6
4 ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup tomato juice
juice of 1 lemon
1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
sea salt and black pepper to taste
hot sauce to taste (optional)
extra chopped tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion for garnish
hot sauce for garnish (optional)
Combine tomatoes, cucumber, green and red peppers, onion, garlic, and basil in a food processor or blender. Process until desired consistency is reached.
Add tomato juice, lemon juice, and olive oil (if using). Stir or blend to combine. Season with salt and pepper; add hot sauce, if desired.
Chill the soup before serving. When ready to serve, ladle the gazpacho into serving bowls and top with extra chopped vegetables and a few drops of hot sauce, if desired.
