Gazpacho Juice

Inspired by the classic Spanish soup, this fabulous juice looks and tastes delicious. Fresh salad vegetables can be thrown into a blender or food processor and whizzed up in moments to create a refreshing, invigorating drink. If you are planning to invite friends for a relaxing al fresco lunch, serve this cooling juice as an appetizer; it is perfect for a hot summer's day.

Makes 4-5 glasses

1/2 fresh red chili
800g/1 3/4 lb tomatoes, skinned
1/2 cucumber, roughly sliced
1 red (bell) pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
1 celery stick, chopped
1 spring onion (scallion), roughly chopped
a small handful of fresh coriander (cilantro), stalks included, plus extra to decorate
juice of 1 lime
salt
ice cubes

1. Using a sharp knife, seed the chili. Add to a blender or food processor with the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, celery, spring onion and coriander.
2. Blend well until smooth, scraping the vegetable mixture down from the side of the bowl if necessary.
3. Add the lime juice and a little salt and blend. Pour into glasses. Add ice cubes and a few coriander leaves to serve.

Tip:

Stir in a little extra tomato juice or mineral water if the juice is still thick after blending. A splash of red wine vinegar will intensify the flavor. Juices made from fresh salad vegetables, packed full of valuable nutrients, are the ultimate thirst quenchers on a hot day, providing wonderfully fresh flavors and refreshing the palate instantly.