Salsa Fresca White Bean Gazpacho

All you need is a can of beans on hand and you can make this cooling soup on the hottest day without heating up your kitchen!

SOY-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, OIL-FREE OPTION*

TOTAL PREP TIME: 20 minutes

YIELD: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE SOUP BASE 

• 6 cups (1.1 kg) fresh chopped tomatoes, in large chunks
• 1/2 large bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into large chunks
• 2 tablespoons (20 g) chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons (28 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt, to taste

FOR THE SALSA FRESCA

• 1/2 cup (90 g) minced tomato
• 1/3 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and minced
• 2 tablespoons (20 g) minced onion
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1 1/2 cups (269 g) cooked white beans or 1 can (15 ounces, or 425 g), rinsed and drained
• 1 small cucumber, chopped (peeled if waxed)
• Handful of chopped fresh cilantro
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To make the soup base, combine all the ingredients (chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, chopped onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, chili powder, and salt) in a blender.
2. Purée the ingredients until smooth.
3. Taste the soup base and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
4. To make the salsa fresca, combine the minced tomato, minced bell pepper, minced onion, lime juice, chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
5. Mix the ingredients well to combine.
6. In individual serving bowls, pour one-fourth of the soup base.
7. Top the soup base with one-fourth of the salsa fresca.
8. Add one-fourth of the cooked white beans on top.
9. Sprinkle the chopped cucumber and cilantro over the soup.
10. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper.
11. Repeat the process for the remaining servings.
12. Serve and enjoy the soup topped with the flavorful salsa fresca, beans, cucumber, cilantro, and pepper.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

PER 1 1/2-CUP (355 ML) SERVING

• 217.6 calories; 4.3 g total fat; 0.6 g saturated fat; 11.0 g protein; 37.4 g carbohydrate; 8.1 g dietary fiber; 0 mg cholesterol.

FANCY BEAN SUBSTITUTE:

• Flageolet, European Solider, Vallarta, Alubia Blanca