Kristen's Recipes

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, plus 1/4 C. for croutons

3/4 pound, 3 links, hot or sweet Italian sausage, split and meat removed from casing

1/4 lb. piece stick pepperoni, diced

1 ham steak, diced (about 1/2 to 3/4 pound)

1 green bell pepper, seeded, quartered and sliced

1 medium yellow onion, peeled, quartered and sliced

1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 C. chicken stock

1/2 lb. gemelli pasta or other short-cut pasta

5 C. cubed crusty bread

3 large cloves garlic, cracked from skin

1/2 C. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a couple of handfuls

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 bunches arugula, trimmed and coarsely chopped (about 4 C. s)

 

Place a soup pot or deep sided skillet on the stove top and preheat to medium high heat. Add olive oil, 2 turns of the pan and the sausage. Brown and crumble the sausage, drain off excess fat if necessary then add the ham and pepperoni. Cook meats together 2 minutes then add peppers and onions and cook 2 or 3 minutes more. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring stoup to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Make croutons while pasta cooks. In a large skillet heat about 1/4 C. of olive oil, 4 turns of the pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add bread to garlic oil, toss and toast the cubes 5 or 6 minutes. Season the toasty cubes with red pepper flakes, oregano and lots of grated cheese. Stir arugula into soup just before you serve it up. Ladle up the stoup and float several toasty garlic bread cubes in each bowl.

Carbonnade Beef and Beer Stew

3 1/2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 T. butter

3 medium yellow onions sliced about 1/4 inch thick (about 8 C.)

3 T. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 C. chicken or beef broth

1 1/2 C. (12 oz bottle) Belgian beer

4 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

1 T. whole grain mustard

1 T. brown sugar

Pat beef dry with paper towels, then season well with salt and pepper. On the stove top, heat 2 T. of butter in a large heavy bottomed dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot, almost smoking. Working in batches, brown the meat, without stirring, about 3 minutes on each side (do not stir, give the meat an opportunity to brown well). Transfer browned beef to a separate bowl. Add 2 T. butter to dutch oven; reduce heat to medium. Add the onions and 1/2 tsp. of salt; cook until onions are browned, about 15 minutes. Add flour and stir until onions are evenly coated and flour is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits; stir in beer, thyme, bay, browned beef with any of the accumulated juices, and salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a full simmer. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, let cook for 2-3 hours until beef is fork tender. (Alternatively can cook in the oven at 300°F.) Stir occasionally, scraping up anything that is sticking to the bottom of the pan. About half an hour before it finishes cooking, add the mustard and brown sugar. Adjust seasonings to taste. Discard thyme and bay leaf. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste and serve. Can serve plain, with potatoes, over noodles, or over French fries.

1 T. canola oil

1/2 C. chopped turnip

1/2 C. chopped celery

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

2 bay leaves

1 pound green split peas

8 C. chicken or vegetable broth

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. hot-pepper sauce

 

Set a pot over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Heat for 30 seconds. Add the turnip, celery, onion, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes, or until softened. Add the peas and broth. Bring almost to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover partially and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the peas are very soft. Remove the bay leaves and discard. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, in a blender, or with an immersion blender, puree the mixture until smooth. Add the salt and hot-pepper sauce. If the mixture is too thick, add water if desired.

 

Yield: 8 servings

Calories: 253

Fat: 2g

Fiber: .5g

2 T. olive oil

8 ounces cauliflower florets, coarsely chopped (3 C.)

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 C. chopped celery

1/4 C. chopped carrot

1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. minced garlic

2 bay leaves

Pinch + 1/8 tsp. salt

1 pound yellow split peas

8 C. chicken broth or vegetable broth

Ground black pepper

10 T. fat-free plain yogurt

Paprika (optional)

 

Heat the oil in a large pot set over high heat. Add the cauliflower, onion, celery, carrot, cumin, garlic, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt. Stir. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until golden. Add the split peas. Stir for 2 minutes to coat with the seasonings. Add the broth and 1/8 tsp. salt. Bring almost to a boil. Reduce the heat so the mixture simmers. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the peas are very tender. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Ladle 3 C. of the soup into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade or into a blender. Process the mixture until smooth. Return to the pot. Season with pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Garnish each bowlful with 1 T. yogurt and a dusting of paprika, if desired.

 

Yield: 10 servings

Calories: 227

Fat: 3g

Fiber: 1g

1 slice bacon

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 C. chopped celery

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 C. diced yukon gold potatoes (1/2 inch dice)

2 C. clam juice

1 1/2 C. 2% milk

1 1/2 T. all purpose flour

3 cans (6.5 oz each) minced clams, drained

1/4 C. chopped parsley

 

Cook bacon in microwave, per package directions, until crisp. Crumble into small pieces and set aside. In large saucepan, heat oil over medium low heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic and cook 5 minutes. Add thyme and bay leaf and continue to cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened but not browned. Add potatoes and clam juice. The liquid should just cover potatoes. Bring chowder to a simmer and cook potatoes about 10 minutes. They should be tender but not mushy. In small bowl, whisk 1/4 C. of the milk with flour until smooth. Add to chowder with remaining milk and increase heat to bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until soup has slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove pot from heat and add clams. Remove bay leaf. Divide into 4 bowls and sprinkle each serving with crumbled bacon and parsley. Then add a few oyster crackers for that New England seaside feel.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 140

Fat: 5g

Fiber: 1g

1 tsp. canola oil

2 cinnamon sticks

2 tsp. mild curry powder

1 med onion, halved and sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. water

3 C. vegetable broth

1/2 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 C. thinly sliced mustard greens

 

Warm oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add cinnamon sticks and cook until they are fragrant and begin to unfurl, about 2 minutes. Stir in curry powder and reduce heat to medium low. Add onion, garlic, and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add broth and cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 25 minutes or until cooked through. Stir in mustard greens and cook until wilted, about 30 seconds. Discard cinnamon sticks. Serve.

1/4 pound turkey bacon, chopped

1 T. vegetable oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 small bunch (12 ounces) turnip greens or other greens, coarse stems removed and discarded, leaves chopped

2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 cans (10 ounces each) baby clams, juice reserved

1 C. half-and-half

2 1/2 T. potato flour

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

 

Cook the turkey bacon in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the oil to the pan, then add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the greens and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the broth and the reserved clam juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the half-and-half and heat through. Sprinkle 2 T. potato flour over the soup and stir in. Add the remaining 1/2 T. flour for a thicker soup if desired. Stir in the pepper and clams, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the turkey bacon over each serving. Potato flour is used as the thickener in this recipe to lend the characteristic flavor of potatoes without as many carbohydrates. Look for it in the baking aisle of supermarkets or health food stores. Or you can use 1 1/2 T. cornstarch mixed with 2 T. water instead.

 

1 lb. bacon, diced

1 onion, diced

5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

3 C. chicken stock

3 T. butter

3 T. flour

1 1/2 C. milk

3 green onions, sliced

3/4 C. shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 t. black pepper

Sour cream for garnish, optional

 

 In a large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain and set aside. Drain all but 2 T. of bacon grease from the pot. Cook the onions in the remaining bacon grease for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add potatoes and chicken stock to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer about 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. With a slotted spoon, remove a few scoops of potatoes. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork. Set aside. In a small sauce pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil and simmer until thickened. Slowly stir in to stock pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir mashed potatoes back into pot. Add 1/2 C. shredded cheese, three-fourths of the bacon and half the sliced green onions to pot. Add pepper. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 5 minutes. To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and top with some shredded cheese, bacon, green onions and optional sour cream.

 

1 T. butter
2/3 C. minced shallots (about 4 large)
1/2 C. sliced celery
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans vegetable broth
1 1/2 C. water
6 C. finely chopped cauliflower florets (about 1 head)
2 C. finely chopped red bell pepper (about 2 medium)
1 C. finely chopped peeled red potato
1 bay leaf
1 C. 2 percent reduced-fat milk
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3 T. minced fresh or 1 T. dried basil
5 T. fat-free sour cream

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add shallots and celery; cook five minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth and water; bring to a boil. Add cauliflower, bell pepper, potato and bay leaf; return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in milk and black pepper. Cool slightly; discard bay leaf. Place one and a half C. soup in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Pour the pureed soup into a large bowl. Repeat the procedure with an additional one and a half C. soup. Add the remaining soup to the pureed soup, and stir in basil. Return the soup to the pan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Spoon two C. soup into each of five bowls; top each serving with one T. sour cream.

Yield: 5 servings
Calories: 168
Fat: 5.7g
Fiber: 5.3

18 quarts water, divided
6 T. salt
2 (2 1/2-lb.) whole lobsters
1 T. olive oil
1 C. coarsely chopped fennel bulb
1 C. coarsely chopped parsnip
1 C. coarsely chopped carrot
1/2 C. coarsely chopped celery
2 whole garlic heads, halved horizontally
1 large onion, quartered
2 C. dry white wine
2 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh thyme

Bring 15 quarts of water and salt to a boil in a 19-quart stockpot; plunge lobsters headfirst, 1 at a time, into water. Return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes for small lobsters (1 to 1 1/4 lb.) and 10 minutes for larger lobsters (1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lb.). Drain well; cool completely. Remove meat from cooked lobster tails and claws; reserve meat for another use. Rinse out head portion of lobsters. Place lobster shells in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Coarsely crush shells using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add fennel and next 5 ingredients (fennel through onion); sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned. Add 3 quarts of water, crushed shells, wine, parsley, and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Strain shell mixture through a sieve over a bowl, reserving stock. Discard solids.

Yield: 10 C. (serving size: 1 C.)
Calories: 25
Fat: 1.4g
Fiber: 0g

1 tsp. butter or stick margarine
1/2 C. minced shallots
1-1/2 C. dry white wine
1/4 C. minced fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. saffron threads, crushed
1 bay leaf
1 garlic clove, minced
50 mussels (about 2 lb.), scrubbed and debeared
2 C. clam juice
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
1 C. 2% reduced-fat milk
1/4 C. chopped fresh chervil or parsley

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add minced shallots, and sauté 3 minutes. Add the wine and next 5 ingredients (wine through garlic); bring to a boil. Add mussels. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until the mussels open; discard any unopened shells. Strain the mussel mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a medium bowl, reserving cooking liquid. Reserve 12 shells with meat intact. Remove meat from the remaining shells. Chop meat and add to pan; discard shells. Add reserved cooking liquid, clam juice, black pepper, and red pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the milk, and cook 1 minute or until soup is thoroughly heated. Pour soup into serving bowls. Top with reserved mussels and chervil. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1-1/4 C. soup, 3 mussels, and 1 T. chervil).

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 205
Fat: 4.5g
Fiber: .2g

2 C. cubed HORMEL® CURE 81® Half Ham

1 (16-ounce) package frozen stewed vegetables

1 (10-ounce) can cream of celery soup

2 C. milk

8 ounces pasteurized processed cheese spread

 

In large saucepan, prepare frozen stew vegetables according to package directions. Add the cubed ham and cook covered for 5 minutes. Drain water, stir in soup, milk and cheese. Heat through.

2 C. frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables (yellow, green, and red peppers and onion)

2 T. minced seeded jalapeno pepper

1 T. butter or margarine

2 T. all-purpose flour

2 C. fat-free milk

1 C. fat-free half-and-half

2 C. refrigerated diced potatoes with onions

1 15-ounce can salmon, drained and flaked

1/4 C. snipped watercress

1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

 

In a large saucepan cook stir-fry vegetables and jalapeno pepper in hot butter or margarine for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour. Stir in milk and half-and-half. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Cook and stir 2 minutes more.  Stir in diced potatoes, salmon, watercress, shredded lemon peel, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir until chowder is heated through. Makes 4 servings.

1/3 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped 

3 cloves garlic, minced

10 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced

1/2 pound fresh cremini or white mushrooms, stems removed, sliced 

6 cups water

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast until golden and fragrant, 5-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. In a heavy soup pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms and raise the heat to high. Sauté, stirring often, just until the mushrooms begin to release their liquid, about 7 minutes. Add the water and herbs and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are tender and the flavors are blended, 25-30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into warmed shallow soup bowls, scatter the pine nuts evenly over the tops and serve immediately.

2 pounds chicken bones

1 onion, quartered

1 head garlic plus 6 cloves, minced and 3 cloves, halved

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 pound cured Spanish ham, or prosciutto, diced

1 tomato, seeded and diced

2 teaspoons sweet paprika

6 very thin slices country bread

8 cumin seeds

8 saffron threads

6 eggs (optional)

 

Prepare the chicken stock by combining the chicken bones, onion, and garlic head in a large pot. Add enough water to cover, about 1 gallon, and bring to a boil. Skim and discard foam that rises to the top. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, about 1 hour, periodically skimming foam from the top. If liquid is evaporating too rapidly, add a cup or two of water. Strain by lifting liquid out with a ladle. Discard the onion and garlic, and set aside to cool. Reserve 2 quarts for the soup, and save the extra for another use. (It will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days).  Heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large saucepan, add the 6 cloves minced garlic, and saute until golden. Add the cured ham, and saute for a minute. Add the tomato and paprika, and saute briefly, then add the reserved chicken stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.Meanwhile, toast the bread, rub half a clove of the remaining 3 garlic cloves over each piece, and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. With a mortar and pestle, pound the leftover garlic halves, cumin seeds, and saffron. Stir paste into the simmering soup, and add the bread, breaking it up a bit.  If using eggs, break the eggs into the simmering soup and poach them until set, but yolks still soft. Serve soup immediately, ladling it into warm earthenware bowls.

1 1/2 C. frozen chopped onions

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. oil

1 can (28 ounces) reduced-sodium whole tomatoes, chopped (with juice)

2 C. frozen diced potatoes

2 C. frozen defatted fish stock , thawed

1 C. frozen sliced carrots

8 ounces frozen cod or haddock fillets, cut into 1″ cubes

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 bay leaf

4 ounces frozen uncooked peeled medium shrimp, chopped

1/3 C. chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp. grated orange rind

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

 

In a Dutch oven, combine the onions, garlic, and oil. Cook, stirring, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft but not browned. Add the tomatoes, potatoes, stock, carrots, cod or haddock, jalapeno peppers, and bay leaf. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Add the shrimp, cilantro, orange rind, black pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp are bright pink

2 C. reduced-sodium, fat-free chicken broth

1 head green cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped

3 carrots, sliced

1 large onion, chopped

2 ribs celery, sliced

1 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

3 T. trans-free margarine

1/3 C. all-purpose flour

4 C. 1% milk

 

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the broth, cabbage, carrots, onion, celery, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, in a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat, melt the margarine. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil, whisking often. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Pour the milk mixture into the cabbage mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the soup is lightly thickened.

5 lb. mussels, in shells

1 C. dry white wine or water

1 lb. thin-skinned potato

1 onion (1/2 lb.)

1 stalk celery (3 oz.)

2 T. butter or margarine

2 tsp. curry powder

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil

1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce

2 C. whipping cream

Salt and pepper

 

Scrub mussels in cool water and pull off beards; discard any whose shells don’t close when tapped. In an 8- to 10-quart pan, combine mussels and wine; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over medium heat until mussels open, 5 to 8 minutes. Pour into a colander set in a large bowl to collect juices. Let mussels stand until cool enough to touch. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Peel and chop onion. Rinse celery and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. In the pan used for mussels, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and celery; stir often until onion is limp, 6 to 8 minutes. Add curry powder and basil; stir until spices become more fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour mussel juices from bowl into pan. Add tomato sauce, cream, and potatoes. Turn heat to high; when mixture is boiling, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors are well blended, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, remove mussels from shells; discard shells. Add mussels to soup; cover and simmer just until mussels are hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls.

2 pounds parsnips, peeled and quartered lengthwise

1/4 C. vegetable oil

3 tsp. salt, divided

6 T. honey, divided

6 C. water

1 bunch parsley

1 carrot, cut in 1/2

1 small onion

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp. black peppercorns

2 tsp. white pepper

3 C. heavy cream

 

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the parsnips with the oil and 1 tsp. of salt and drizzle with 3 T. honey. Place on a baking sheet and put into the top half of the oven. Roast 30 minutes, or until the parsnips are a deep golden brown; they tend to burn easily so make sure to toss often while roasting. Meanwhile, put the water into a large pot and place over high heat. Lay a double layer of cheesecloth on a flat surface and place the carrot, onion, parsley, bay leaves and peppercorns in the center. Tie the cheesecloth up and around the vegetable and herb mix and drop it into the water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the parsnips from the oven and place them immediately into the stock. Add the remaining honey and salt and white pepper; simmer for about 20 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender. Add the cream and cook for another 10 minutes or until thick.

1 medium leek, light green and white parts only, outer layer removed
4 C. lower-sodium chicken broth
1 C. water
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
6 oz. white mushrooms, sliced
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 oz. brussels sprouts, halved
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Trim leek, keeping root intact. Slice in half lengthwise, submerge in cold water, and rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt. Slice into 1/4-inch pieces. Bring broth, water, and thyme to a low boil in a large saucepan. Add leek and mushrooms; reduce heat and simmer until leek is softened, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and brussels sprouts. Simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 210
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 3g

1 large red bell pepper
2 large tomatoes or 6 plum tomatoes (about 1 pound)
1 large cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 cup tomato juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, without stems
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Roast the whole red pepper under a broiler or over a gas flame, turning occasionally, until the skin blisters and chars all over. Place in a bowl, cover with a lid, and allow it to steam to loosen the skin, or place in a paper bag until it is just cool enough to handle.. Carefully peel away the skin and remove the seeds. Cut the pepper into medium dice and set aside. Cut half of the tomatoes, half of the cucumber, and half of the onion into 1-inch pieces and transfer to the bowl of a food processor or a blender jar. Add the roasted bell pepper and process to a puree. Transfer mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Add tomato juice, cilantro, and vinegar. Seed the remaining tomato. Cut remaining tomato, cucumber, and onion into medium dice and add to the soup. Refrigerate until chilled. Add lime juice before serving and season with salt and pepper. Serve well chilled. For a less chunky gazpacho, thin with additional tomato juice.

Yield: 1½ quarts; 4 (1½-cup) servings
Calories: 70
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 2.5g