Beat the Heat with Kicked Up Gazpacho

I dont know where you live, but here in California it is hot, hot, hot right now! Its so hot that the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven or even spend any extra energy cooking when I dont have to. The most refreshing thing lately? Gazpacho. Its the easiest (and quickest!) way to get all your veggies in daily and tastes great ice cold straight out of the fridge. Make it at the height of summer (right now!) when tomatoes are juicy and at their peak. I like to use a spicy v-8 juice as the base of my gazpacho because it adds a nice little kick. I also throw in a jalapeno pepper! If spice isnt your thing, simply substitute the spicy v-8 for regular tomato juice and leave out the pepper. Your gazpacho will still be just as delicious and refreshing. My favorite way to serve this soup is just with a big hunk of French bread and a slice of nutty cheddar cheese. Pack gazpacho in a thermos with ice cubes to send to camp or work; it will be a healthy and welcome treat when the sun is at its highest.

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Jenna Weber is half of the Fresh Tastes blog team. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2008 and, since then, has worked as a pastry chef, bread baker and freelance food editor. Currently, Jenna blogs full-time on EatLiveRun.com where her delicious daily recipes and quirky culinary musings appeal to thousands. She lives in Northern California and, when not in the kitchen, can usually be found on her yoga mat.