This recipe couldn’t be simpler. Go to a farmers market – any farmers market – and buy the following: tomatoes, cucumber, garlic and a bagel (yes, a bagel). Go home, throw this stuff in a blender and you’re pretty much done. If you can’t find a bagel, swap in whatever bread you want – about ½ cup of toasted or stale bread cubes should do it. Don’t get too hung up on measurements, either. Add a pepper for spice, chop up more cucumber, or toss in a handful of basil from your backyard. Have fun and savor all the amazing local produce you can right now.
Simple Summer Gazpacho
4 servings
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 cups chopped tomatoes, chopped
½ everything bagel, toasted and torn into pieces
1 clove garlic, smashed
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
1 cup water, plus more as needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil for serving
• Put the cucumber, bagel pieces, tomatoes, garlic and vinegar into a blender and puree. With the blender running on high speed, pour in the water, plus more to achieve desired consistency.
• Season to taste with salt, pepper and vinegar. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
This article appears in September 2016.