Chilled Summer Gazpacho with an Herbed Sour Cream

It is the perfect time of year for chilled soup and Chef Michael’s Summer Gazpacho is sure to please on a hot day!  Have a garden?  Gazpacho is a great way to utilize your crop of cucumbers and tomatoes!

Chilled Summer Gazpacho with an Herbed Sour Cream
by Chef Michael Salmon

Serves 8

Gazpacho

2 medium-sized beefsteak tomatoes
1 small Vidalia onion
1/2 English cucumber (also known as seedless cucumbers)
1/2 red bell pepper
2 scallions
32 ounce tomato juice
8 ounce V8 juice
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
salt to taste

1. Core the tomatoes, cut them in half across the equator to expose the seeds and gently squeeze out the seeds. Dice the tomatoes, onion, cucumber and bell pepper into 1/2-inch cubes. Slice the scallions. Combine all the ingredients, mix and refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours. May be made up to 2 days in advance.  

Herbed Sour Cream

1/2 cup sour cream
4 sprigs fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 scallion, green part only, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of Caribbean dry spice mix (recipe, page 155)
salt to taste

1. Mix all together.

Presentation

8 red cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 medium-sized golden tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges
8 sprigs of cilantro

1. Ladle the soup into the desired serving bowls and decorate with a scoop of the herbed sour cream, 2 cherry tomato halves and 2 golden tomato wedges. Top with a sprig of cilantro and serve.