Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 700g ripe tomatoes
  • 10cm piece of cucumber peeled and chopped
  • 3 spring onions peeled and chopped
  • 2 slices stale white bread chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • half a large red pepper chopped
  • about 12 fresh basil leaves chopped
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnish

  • chopped red pepper
  • chopped cucumber
  • chopped spring onions
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Croutons (see recipe here)

Method

  1. Place tomatoes ina bowl and cover with boiling water.  After a couple of minutes the skins should loosen. Remove from the water and peel. Scoop out the seeds and chop the flesh.
  2. Place tomatoes, cucumber, onions, garlic and red pepper in a liquidiser and blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper, herbs and vinegar and chopped bread, then blitz again.
  3. Pour into a bowl and add a little cold water if too thick.
  4. Serve with finely chopped garnish, a couple of ice cubes in each portion and a drizzle of olive oil. This is also nice with homemade croutons on the side.