Icy Garden Soup

I think this is an unusual soup but I could eat it on a hot day. It has all the veggies that I like plus a dollop of sour cream on top.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs  ripe tomatoes
• 2  inches  chunk  French bread or 2  inches  Italian bread
• 2  cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• 1  small  red pepper, chopped
• 1  clove garlic, peeled and chopped,optional
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup tomato juice
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar or 1  tablespoon white wine vinegar
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

• GARNISHES

• 1  cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1  red pepper, diced
• 1  stalk celery, diced
•  sour cream

Directions

1. Peel, core and quarter tomatoes.
2. Soak bread in a small bowl of cold water for 2 minutes.
3. Squeeze out the excess moisture.
4. Put all ingredients, except garnishes, in a large bowl and stir well.
5. Working in batches, blend the mixture in a food processor or blender until almost smooth.
6. Taste for seasoning.
7. Place garnishes in small bowls and serve.
8. Serve cold topped with your favorite garnishes and a dollop of sour cream.