Guest Post: Easy Gazpacho…from Pickley Pear

Sunday already!? We are getting settled in our new house. There’s so much to do! Unpacking has proved to be much more demanding than packing…maybe since the packers pack and move, but just dump ya on the other end 😉

The amazing Julie of Pickley Pear is here today to share an amazing summer classic: Gazpacho! Julie is an incredibly sweet blogger and her posts ooze her positive, happy self. She may know this, but she and I are both former figure skaters for many years! Anyways, be sure to check out her beautiful blog! And seeing as I’ve never attempted gazpacho, I enjoyed this post very much! I hope you do, too!

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Hey Prevention RD Readers!

Guest posting for Nicole is an honor – I’m so glad she accepted my offer 🙂

My name is Julie.  Julie of www.PickleyPear.com.

I started blogging in December 2009 as a motivational tool for myself – to keep me on track; eating healthy meals, controlling my portions, and attempting to lose about 10 lbs. along the way.  Not only is my blog a tool for food, but a record of my workouts as well.

10 Things About Me

I was a Figure Skater for 12 years
Born and raised in a suburb of Detroit – I still live in the Detroit area
I am an only child
I ran my first (and only) Half-Marathon (Detroit) in October 2009

I have taken 7 cruise trips including Hawaii, Europe, Bermuda, Caribbean (picture: Spain 2004)

My friends call me “Jules”
The Biggest Loser is my favorite reality TV show
My 10-year high school reunion was in 2009 – I attended September 2009

I named my Grandma’s dog:  Divot (he’s the closet thing I’ve ever had to a pet!)

I scored a hole-in-one playing golf in July 2009

Ok so, enough about me!  Onto more exciting things…like FOOD!

One of my favorite summer meals is Gazpacho!  Cold Vegetable Soup.  You just can’t go wrong on a hot summer day with a cold bowl of refreshing vegetable soup.

The main ingredients are cucumber, onion and bell peppers.  Of course, any crunchy veggies will work.

I like to scrape out the seeds of the cucumber.

Gazpacho

1 can diced tomatoes
1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 bell pepper (your color choice), diced
1/2 onion, diced
1-2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 roasted red pepper, diced
jalapeño, celery, optional
1/2 C. Light Italian Dressing
1 C. Clamato Juice (or tomato, V8, your preference) (located in the non-refrigerated juice aisle)**
S&P
herbs to taste: parsley, basil, garlic powder, cayenne, celery salt, etc.

Combine all ingredients in a pot (no heat necessary), stir and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.  Add croutons and sour cream (greek yogurt) to garnish.

Makes about 4 cups.

**I like the subtle taste of Clamato as opposed to tomato juice.  Clamato is thinner in consistency and has less sodium, yet still has the tomato flavor of tomato juice.  Clamato is also the perfect Bloody Mary base!

ENJOY!

Thanks, Nicole, for allowing me to share a bit about me and my Gazpacho recipe!

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Thanks, Julie!

Question: Have you had a cold, summery soup before? Did you enjoy it?

First day of my new job tomorrow! I’m nervous!!!