There are lots of variations on this refreshing summer soup. BGTYG have selected one that takes very  little time and is  a great way of enjoying a low calorie, appetising soup for lunch on relaxing hot summer days.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Jar of plain organic passata (700grams)

2 red peppers

1 red chilli

2 cloves garlic

*(omit garlic if on a Low FODMAP diet)

2 teaspoonfuls of mild chilli powder

2 tablespoonfuls of red wine vinegar

juice of 1 lime

50 grams cucumber finely chopped

1/4 red onion peeled and finely chopped

(omit onion on a Low FODMAP diet)

1 tablespoonful fresh coriander chopped

4 tablespoonfuls half-fat crème fraiche

* (substitute creme fraiche on Low FODMAP diet for a low lactose plain yoghurt)

Method

Slice and deseed the peppers, roast in an medium oven (170 degrees/150 degrees fan/Gas Mark 3) for 30 minutes.

Whizz the passata, peppers, chilli and garlic in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour into a jug, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and preferably overnight.

Just before serving, mix in the chilli powder, red wine vinegar and lime juice.

Season to taste with a little sea or Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper. In a bowl mix together the cumber, onion (optional), coriander and crème fraiche (or low lactose yoghurt).

Pour into 4 bowls, top with the crème fraiche mixture. If it’s really hot weather, you could add an ice cube to each bowl to keep the soup chilled. 

Nutritional highlights:

This version of  a Spanish style cold soup is very low in calories and saturated fat.

125 cals and 2 grams saturated fat per portion – impressive.

I personally love a dish that is based on tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes are traditionally used in gazpacho and are full of Vitamin C and although there is obviously slightly less in a processed jar or packet, its still a great source of nutrient. Lycopene the anti-oxidant found in tomatoes,  interestingly is released even more  during the heating stage of the canning process. A can of tomatoes contains over four times the amount of lycopene as raw tomatoes. However the jury is still out regarding the health benefits of lycopene in terms of cancer prevention.