Gazpacho with Avocado Relish

This weekend was so hot  that it was nice to enjoy this refreshing cool summer soup.  I was going to use this recipe from the August issue of Cooking Light but I really didn't want to make the gazpacho with shrimp.  After browsing through some other recipes I found this recipe for Gazpacho with Shrimp and Avocado Relish. I decided to go with this one because the avocado relish looked so good.   So, I used this recipe but modified by leaving out the shrimp and I added some zucchini instead. This is a healthy and delicious weeknight meal and we even had leftovers for lunch yesterday.

Do you have a favorite meal for a hot summer day?

{ingredients for the soup}

{the avocado relish}

{the final product served with some garlic bread}

Ingredients
Soup:
1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp          ( I used zucchini and omitted the shrimp)
3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons chopped red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce                                             (any hot sauce is ok)
1 pound plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove ( I used 2)
1 (11.5-ounce) can low-sodium vegetable juice        (you may need to add more than this)
Relish:
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 ripe peeled avocado, diced
Preparation
1. To prepare soup, cook shrimp in boiling water 2 minutes or until done. Drain and rinse under cold water; coarsely chop shrimp.
2. Combine 3/4 cup bell pepper and next 9 ingredients (through vegetable juice) in a blender; process until smooth. Stir in shrimp. (I like gazpacho a bit chunky so I didn't blend it very long)
3. To prepare relish, combine 1/4 cup bell pepper and remaining ingredients. Top soup with relish.

From Cooking Light, AUGUST 2009

Tweet This

Gazpacho with Avocado Relish

Power Smoothie

Several of my friends and family have asked me how I make my smoothie.  So I decided to put the recipe here for those interested.  My typical routine is to have a morning cup of coffee, hit the gym, and then come back and have the smoothie. It give me energy, fills me up until the afternoon, and provides a serious daily dose of fruit. Drinking one of these is a wonderful way to start the day.

Recipe (Two servings)
1/4 cup walnuts
2 Tbsp almonds
1 Tbsp flax seed
1 cup assortment of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
4-5 strawberries
1 banana
1/4 cup Fage or Chobani vanilla low fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
5-6 cubes of ice

Add all ingredients into the blender, mix, and enjoy!

Additional Notes
-I always use blueberries in my smoothie because they are so good for you and contain the most amount of antioxidants. But all the other fruits and berries vary depending on what I have in the fridge. If we have watermelon, grapes, apples, pears, or mangoes on hand I may throw those into the mix as well.

-Frozen fruit is just as good to use as fresh fruit. In the winter when the berries are out of season we go to  Costco or Trader Joe's and stock up on frozen mango's, blueberries, and strawberries.

-I tried to make accurate measurements for this recipe but keep in mind you don't have to measure anything. Just add ingredients based on your personal preference.

-If you use vanilla yogurt it will make the smoothie taste a bit sweeter than using plain yogurt. I prefer this especially when I am using more an assortment of berries that are not sweet. Also, I always use Greek yogurt because it contains more protein than regular non fat yogurt.

Tweet This

Power Smoothie

Food for Thought

I have always had interest in staying fit and eating healthy foods.  Here is a sampling of some foods known as "smart" foods. I try to incorporate these foods into my weekly diet.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that promote brain health and they high in fiber. I eat them in smoothies every morning, with sorbet for dessert, and just this weekend I made some delicious blueberry whole wheat pancakes.

                                                                            {via}             
                                                      

Wild Salmon is one of the best dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for brain health. I have 2-3 recipes for salmon I tend to use over and over again.

                                                                          {via}

Nuts contain protein, lots of fiber, and good fats. They also contain essential fatty acids vital for brain health. Almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts are all excellent choices. I add walnuts and almonds to my smoothies. And, sometimes for a late afternoon snack I reach for cashews.       

 

{via}

Avocados contain a good mix of healthy fats and protein to provide energy. I usually cook Mexican food once a week and guacamole is always on the menu.

 

{via}

Whole Grains are slow-burning complex carbohydrates providing excellent fuel for the brain and they are an excellent source of B vitamins and fiber.  Brown bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and oatmeal are all examples of whole grain.

                                                                            {via}

Beans contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein.  They are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians and they stabilize blood sugar levels.  I eat tons of black beans, kidney, garbanzo, soybeans, and lentils.

                                                                              {via}

Fresh brewed tea  are full of antioxidants which helps with blood flow. Tea also contains a modest amount of caffeine to enhance memory, focus, and mood.  I love my cup of coffee in the morning, but in the afternoon I love drinking a hot cup of tea. My favorite is Black tea or Mango tea but Green tea and other lightly caffeinated teas are great options.

{via}

Dark Chocolate contains antioxidants and natural stimulants, including caffeine, which enhance focus and concentration. I admit I am not a huge fan of dark chocolate but if it contains mint then I am all for it. (thinking After Eight's and peppermint patties)

{via}

                                   

Are you incorporating these and other smart foods into your diet?
                      

Tweet This

Food for Thought