Feeds 6

Ingredients

1kg really ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
½ onion, chopped
½ large red or green pepper, deseeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves
½ cucumber, peeled
75ml olive oil
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
Salt and pepper
Cold water

To serve

2 spring onions
½ red pepper
½ green pepper
1 slice stale bread and olive oil for frying, or ready-made croutons
Ice cubes

Method

Blend the chopped tomatoes, onions, garlic and cucumber until smooth. If you prefer your soup smooth rather than "chunky", pass it through a sieve two or three times.

Put the mix back in the blender and slowly add the olive oil and sherry vinegar. Season well with salt and pepper then chill in the fridge.

If making croutons, cut the bread into 1cm cubes and gently fry in a little olive oil, then allow to cool and place in a bowl. Finely dice the spring onions, red pepper, and green pepper. Place in individual bowls. Serve the soup with a couple of ice cubes and allow your guests to garnish to taste.