Good for you Gazpacho

[liquidstayce]

High Protein "Good for You" Gazpacho!
Just in Time for Summer!

Before jumping right into the recipe-
One of the ingredients- Pectin,
Needs some Explaining.

Pectin is a natural fiber
And Most importantly both a soluble fiber and an insoluble,
It’s a ½ and ½ fiber that is in many fruits and vegetables.
Apples are the best example.
It’s recently started getting the “Health Food Store BUZZ”
And Here’s Why-
Some of the things pectin can do for you-

Cholesterol-
Pectin keeps the arteries elastic
And takes that waxy buildup right on down the drain.

Lead-
And All Toxic Heavy Metals
Pectin changes into galacturonic acid,
And this combines with lead in the body to make an insoluble
(can't be absorbed by the body) metallic salt. So, “down the drain”

Diarrhea-
Pectin feeds the beneficial bacteria while serving as an inhibitor to those bacteria
That typically get out of hand after a round of Antibiotics.

Constipation-
Pectin combines with calcium to form a gel, that lubricates the “plumbing.”

Diabetes-
Recent studies have shown Pectin to lower the blood sugar levels.

A recent study by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Found pectin to be helpful in the prevention and treatment of metastatic cancer.

The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies by Joe and Teresa Graedon.
Claims Pectin as an effective home remedy for arthritis pain.

On the negative side,
Fad Diet Folks have made some Wildly Outlandish
Unsubstantiated Claims as Pectin-Slim!
That Just taking Pectin was the equivalent of 1 hours worth of exercise.


I went for the Pectin for the “smoothness” it lends to the
Soup. It gives a Great thick, Rich Texture
While adding 0 carbs, sugars, Calories.
And since it also has the other benefits-
Why Not?

So, on with the Gazpacho!


Ingredients-
3 large tomatoes (drop in boiling water and ‘skin’ them) Save the skins!
3 large tomatoes not skinned
1- 6oz can of No Salt No Sugar Tomato Sauce (Diabetic Shelf at your Grocer)
½ cup of low-fat plain yogurt
¼ cup of Low-Fat Sour Cream
3 cups of peeled, seeded fine diced cucumber
1 and ½ scoops of Unflavored Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon of Pectin ( Sure Jell) check to make sure it is not the “Sweetened” kind.
¼ cup of mild Green Tea (use up some leftovers here) could just be water or unsweetened tea.
1 small Red Onion - very finely diced – about ½ cup
½ of a Green Bell Pepper - very finely diced – about ¼ cup
½ of a Yellow Bell Pepper - very finely diced – about ¼ cup
¼ cup chives/ green onions chopped
½ teaspoon of Tabasco Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
Juice of 1 Lemon
½ teaspoon of Garlic salt or a touch more to taste

Start-
Section cut all of the tomatoes and remove seeds.
Throw the tomatoes with the skin on them
And the “skins” from the others into the Blender
Along with-
2 Cups of the Cucumber, Half of the Red Onion, Tomato Sauce,
Protein Powder, Tea or water, Pectin/Sure Jell, Vinegar,
Olive Oil, half of the Lemon Juice, Tabasco, and garlic salt.
Puree forever! About 4 minutes actually.

While that is all blending-
Finely dice the “Skinned Tomatoes” Very Fine!
Along with the other cup of cucumber.
Along with the Red Onion and Bell Peppers.
Even Finer with these! Minced!

While blender is still blending-
Mix Sour Cream, Yogurt and Lemon Juice.

Pour puree out of blender into larger pitcher or serving container
Stir in Diced Veggies.
Chill for about an hour or until really cold

Serve in cups or small bowls
With a teaspoon dollop of the yogurt sour cream mixture
In the top at the last second
And a sprinkle of the chives/green onions.

Makes 6 servings

Per Serving-
130 Calories,
12 gms Carbs, 10 gms fiber (so only 2gms Net Carbs )
16 gms Protein, 2 gms fat.

Yumm! Great with a small piece of fish or chicken or with a salad!
The Sure Jell does not “set up” but allows the diced veggies to
Hold and not sink to bottom or float to top.

If you have some Cilantro or Flat leaf Parsley
This is also a great Last minute garnish that will improve the flavor.

Nearly as many gms of Protein as a “Shake” and you’ll never even know it.

[Gidan]

no jalapeno?

Sounds good, though. I Will probably give it a shot sometime soon.

[liquidstayce]

Jalepeno would be good I bet. I have to go easy on the spicy stuff for a little bit until my tummy heals.

[Gidan]

You make a good point there . However gazpacho really isn't gazpacho without a good kick of Jalapeno .

It does look rather good though. Hope your feeling well .