Cucumber Basil Gazpacho

Cucumber Basil Gazpacho

• 1 ripe avocado, meat removed
• 1 cucumber: skin left on, seeds removed
• 2 small handfuls fresh basil
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 scallions, both green and whites
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons fruit-infused vinegar (or lime juice)

Mix all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight (even better!). Serve cold, garnished with diced cucumber and a basil leaf, if desired. I've found that this soup keeps well in the fridge for at least 4 days.

This recipe (which happens to be: gluten free, raw, and vegan) is from Allyson Kramer and her blog Eat Good Food.

Silky Caramelized Pear Soup

 Silky Caramelized Pear Soup

1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
6 pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 t dried, ground thyme)
4 cups gluten free chicken broth
1 bag frozen cauliflower
2 ounce reduced fat blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup milk - I use almond (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat, add coconut sugar and cook until bubbling before adding the pears. Cooking until tender and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. (Note: If you do not have a very large pan, you may have to do this in batches so that the pear pieces do not overcrowd and steam rather than caramelize.)

Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for another minute.

Add the broth and cauliflower, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the cauliflower is tender. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth. You can also process in batches in a blender or food processor.

Return the soup to the pan, mix in the blue cheese, let it melt, and if you'd like the soup a bit thinner, you can add the milk at this point and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Can be served hot or cold. 6-8 appetizer-sized servings.

*Note: not all blue cheeses are gluten free, so make sure you check the package!

This recipe includes a few changes I've made to suit our taste and lifestyle from this original recipe on Closet Cooking. There are some really delicious sounding dishes I can't wait to try and tweak on this blog, go check it out!

Feta Black Bean Dip

1/8 c sucanot (or sugar)
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil

1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15oz) can shoepeg corn, drained and rinsed
2 scallions, finely chopped
1/3 bunch cilantro, chopped
2.5 oz crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese (approx. 1/3 of a container)

Whisk together sucanot (or sugar), vinegar, and oil in a large bowl. Add the beans, corn, scallions, cilantro, and cheese. Mix well. Chill until serving.

Watermelon Gazpacho

Got a yummy taste of fresh-summer-in-a-bowl to share with you today: Watermelon Gazpacho.

Last time we stayed at our beloved Keswick Hall, the Villa chef made a delicious version of this refreshing cold soup for lunch. It was love at first bite (sip? slurp?) and I was determined to find or make a similar recipe when we got home. After a little experimenting, and using other recipes I found as guides, here is my final product. We love it, and think it tastes even better if you make it, and then let the flavors meld overnight (the onion mellows overnight, so don't freak out if it's strong when you first make it). So easy, light, fresh, healthy, and delicious, everyone should put some Watermelon Gazpacho on their menu for the week. Great as an appetizer, first course, BBQ side, or paired with a panini.

Watermelon Gazpacho

1 large tomato, chopped
1 serrano chili seeded and chopped (in leiu of this, you can use 1/2 t red pepper flakes)
3 cups watermelon, chopped or balled
1/4 cup sweet onion (or less, if you don't like an oniony after-taste), chopped
1 small cucumber peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 medium yellow bell pepper, seeded, and chopped
1/8 cup fresh mint leaves
3 T fresh lime juice
2 T raspberry wine vinegar

Use an immersion blender to liquefy all ingredients -OR- blend all ingredients together in small batches using a blender or food processor. Combine all batches, stir well, cover, and refrigerate until serving. Garnish with mint if desired. Tastes even better the second day!