Garden Gazpacho

This is the perfect recipe to make in the summer when tomatoes are in season.  I bring it to parties all the time.  I couldn’t wait though and made it the other day at the first sign of spring!  The flavors of the vegetables and fresh herbs blend so nicely together, it makes for a very refreshing appetizer or light lunch.  The best part is, this actually tastes better the next day!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 T olive oil
• 1 T red wine vinegar
• 2 t sea salt
• fresh black pepper to taste
• freshly minced mint, marjoram, or parsley
• 1 Cup iced water

Prepare everything up to the water and mix together. Add water and stir. Keep very cold.