Summer Fare

This was originally supposed to be published yesterday, but the advance publishing function in Blogger didn't work. This week's installment of 'Summer Fare' features Sandi Turner, a public information officer with Athens-Clarke County, and, with her husband Chris Wyreck, the co-owner of Mercury Art Works.

Kitchen Sink Gazpacho

1. For the base, combine:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
3 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco
juice of one lemon

2. Blend fresh vegetables with base in a food processor until smooth. Use any vegetables you have available -- this is our go-to recipe for cleaning out the refrigerator.
We usually use:
4 fresh, peeled tomatoes
1 large peeled cucumber
and then add peppers, squash, radish, and other garden favorites from there to taste. Additional variations include roasting the garlic or sautéing garlic and onions before adding.

3. Chill until super cold. This soup gets better after a day or two in the refrigerator as the flavors marry.

4. Garnish ideas: avocado, chopped scallions, chives, shrimp, crab, basil, etc.