Gazpacho shines after a sherry vinegar bath

Hand-cut vegetables marinated in seasoned vinegar are the key to this stellar gazpacho.

Chopping the vegetables by hand ensured they retained their color and firm texture. Letting them sit briefly in a sherry vinegar marinade guaranteed wellseasoned vegetables, while a combination of tomato juice and ice cubes (which helped chill the soup) provided the right amount of liquid.

Chilling our soup for a minimum of 4 hours was critical to allow the flavors to develop and meld. Use a Vidalia, Maui, or Walla Walla onion here. This recipe makes a large quantity because the leftovers are so good, but it can be halved if you prefer.

Cut some extra vegetables for garnish when you prepare those called for in the recipe.

Serve with croutons, chopped pitted black olives, chopped hard-cooked eggs and finely diced avocados. For a finishing touch, serve in chilled bowls. Ingredients

1½ pounds tomatoes, cored

and cut into ¼-inch dice

2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice

2 small cucumbers (1 cucumber peeled, both sliced lengthwise, seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice)

½ small sweet onion or 2 large shallots, minced cup sherry vinegar

LServings: 8-10 Start to finish: 4 hours 2 garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper

5 cups tomato juice

8 ice cubes

1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional) Extra-virgin olive oil Directions

Combine tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onion, vinegar, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in large (at least 4-quart) bowl and season with pepper to taste. Let stand until vegetables just begin to release their juices, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato juice, ice cubes and hot sauce, if using. Cover and refrigerate to blend flavors, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Discard any unmelted ice cubes and season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve cold, drizzling individual portions with oil.

Nutrition information per serving: 111 calories; 4 calories from fat; 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 327 mg sodium; 22 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 15 g sugar; 2 g protein.