Gazpacho

Ingredients

1lb /450g tomatoes 1/2lb/225g green peppers 1/2 cucumber A clove of garlic A few coriander leaves 1/4 chilli pepper, seeds removed 2oz/50g white bread, 2-3 days old 1/2 mild Spanish onion 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 2 tbspns olive oil 1/3 pt iced water Sea salt and black pepper Ice cubes To Garnish:

2 tomatoes, skinned 1/2 green pepper 1/4 peeled cucumber 2 slices stale white bread, crusts removed Method

Skin the tomatoes and cut into quarters. Remove seeds and stalks from peppers (obviously!). Peel the cucumber and cut into chunks. Tear up the bread and soak it in water for 30 minutes and then squeeze it dry. Cut up the onion.

Blend all the ingredients until roughly chopped, not too fine, because the soup should have texture and discernible vegetable bits. Pour into large bowl with some ice, add salt and pepper. Then prepare the garnishes. Dice the bread and fry it in a little olive oil until brown. Chop the other vegetables finely, and serve in separate little bowls on the table, so that guests can sprinkle on their own toppings.

Serve chilled, preferably on a hot day and within sight of the sea.