Spicy Gazpacho with Shrimp

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Enough white bread, crusts removed and the bread torn into small pieces, to measure 1 1/2 cups
• 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 1/2 cups tomato juice
• 2 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and minced, about 3 cups
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped fine, about 2/3 cup
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped fine, about 2/3 cup
• 1/3 cup minced scallion
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and minced
• 1/3 cup minced red onion
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley or mint, or a combination
• Hot pepper sauce, to taste

Accompaniment:

• 1/2 pound shrimp (about 15) peeled, deveined and cooked
• Croutons

Directions

On a work surface mince and mash the garlic with the salt until a paste is formed. In a blender combine garlic paste, bread, vinegar, oil, cumin, and one cup of the tomato juice and blend the mixture until smooth. In a large bowl combine well the bread mixture with the tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions, cucumber and onion, stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups tomato juice, and chill the soup, covered, for three hours, or until it is very cold.

Thin the soup with one cup ice water, or enough to obtain the desired consistency, add the parsley, hot pepper sauce, and salt and black pepper to taste, and serve the soup with the shrimp and croutons.