Great Summer Gazpacho

I've never tried to give measurements for my gazpacho recipe so here goes nothing. This is always a favorite. The cooking time is chilling time.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 6  medium  ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1  medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1  cubanelle pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2  garlic cloves
• 2  slices  dry  Italian bread or 2  slices  dry  French bread, broken into pieces
• 2  cups tomato juice or 2  cups  v 8  vegetable juice
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
•  cracked black pepper

• Garnishes

•  cucumber, seeded and diced
•  green pepper, seeded and diced
•  hard-boiled egg, diced
•  green onion, finely chopped
•  ham, diced
•  potato chips, broken into small pieces
•  garlic-flavored croutons

Directions

1. In two batches puree all ingredients in the blender together until smooth.
2. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. Serve in small bowls or mugs with any or all of the garnishes available at the table.