Gazpacho with Multi-Grain Croutons

Classic gazpacho is perfectly accompanied with strips of crisp, homemade multi-grain croutons.

Recipe Ingredients:

3 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
2 tomatoes,chopped
1 seedless cucumber, peeled, chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Croutons:
4 slices multi-grain bread, cut into strips
1/4 cup extra virgin or light olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. In a food processor, blend tomato juice, olive oil, hot sauce, tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, green pepper, onion, carrot and garlic until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve with cilantro and croutons.
2. To Prepare the Croutons: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Toss bread with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, until crisp. Stir occasionally. Use to garnish the soup.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 260; Total Fat: 15g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Total Carbs: 26g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 6g; Sodium: 430mg.