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Friday, July 19, 2013

"I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" - Super Easy, Super Fast Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho

I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

So, how's the weather been lately where you live?

Here, in New Jersey, it has been HOT - HOT - HOT- HOT - HOT…as in 5 days of a heatwave, with one more tomorrow before it breaks.  

Mr. Goo Shoes and I finally made it to the beach today for the first time this summer. It was 97 degrees -- how could we not go?  


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I'd rather do anything but cook in the best of circumstances, so after coming home from the beach all hot and sweaty, it's just not going to happen.  All I want to do is hop into the shower (there's nothing quite as wonderful as an after-beach shower, is there?), and just grab something cold out of the fridge.  

I'm a big fan of chilled soup in the summertime, so I whipped up a batch of Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho before heading "down the shore."

I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Before we get to the gazpacho recipe, here's a little lesson in Jersey lingo...People from NJ do not ever say they are going to the beach...nuh-uh.  If you said that to another Jersey-ite, they would look at you and say, "Huh?"  If you want to be understood around these parts, your must say...
We are going "down the shore."
I went "down the shore."
He is "down the shore."
We hit so much freakin' traffic heading "down the shore."

You get the idea.

Mr. Goo Shoes, being from Brooklyn, would never say "down the shore" even though he has lived in NJ for 11 years.  He' s real rebel, that Mr. Goo Shoes.  He will always and forever consider himself a New Yawka, so he is exempt from having to say "down the shore." 

And if he did say it, it would sound more like "down the shaw," and no one would understand him anyway, so he might as well continue saying he went "to the beach." 
It's just easier on everyone that way. 

We headed to Seven Presidents Beach in Long Branch, NJ -- Exit 105.  (Another thing about New Jersey...we reference places by their exit number on the Garden State Parkway. So next time you meet someone from NJ, and you want to know what town they live in, just ask what exit they're from).


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

There was a slight breeze on the beach, so it wasn't deadly hot, but the sand??? OMG - hotter than walking on coals! Not that I've ever walked on coals and can make a true comparison, but still.

If I had brought the gazpacho with me for lunch, I swear I'd have cooled my feet in it.


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The sand was so hot, people were running from towel to towel just to get from the ocean and back. We came back to our chairs to find the two cutest little boys standing under our umbrella, giving their hot little tootsies a break from the sand. 

We spent three glorious hours at the beach, and then two hellish hours in traffic to get home, so I was glad to have the gazpacho waiting to greet us when I opened the refrigerator.


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Like most of my recipes that I've been making for years, I have no idea where this one came from, other than the fact that I clipped it out of a magazine.  So if it's yours, let me know, and I'll give you credit. 


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Some notes about the recipe…


  • I  omitted the jalapeno.  It seemed like an oxymoron to have something hot in my cold soup. But if you like spicy, by all means, add it in.
  • I used canned pineapple juice instead of fresh because…well, I couldn't be bothered, honestly. 
  • I used kosher salt instead of sea salt.
  • I used olive oil, not avocado oil. I bet it is even more awesome with avocado oil.
  • I left out the macadamia nuts because they just didn't appeal to me in this recipe.
Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho
(serves 4-6)

4 cups chopped pineapple
4 cups peeled, chopped cucumber
3 tablespoons minced jalapeno
3 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 cup fresh pineapple juice
1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
3 tablespoons avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped raw macadamia nuts

In a blender, process 3 cups each of pineapple and cucumber, 2 tablespoons jalapeno, 2 tablespoons scallion, lime juice, pineapple juice, and salt at high speed until smooth. Taste and correct seasoning (because the sweetness of pineapples varies) and add jalapeno and salt to taste.

Add the remaining pineapple and cucumber, the cilantro, and 1 1/2 tablespoons of avocado (or olive) oil.  Pulse the blender quickly a few times -- the gazpacho should remain chunky. (Depending on the size of the blender jar, this may have to be done in two batches). Stir in the macadamia nuts. Divide the gazpacho among serving bowls, drizzle with remaining avocado oil, and sprinkle with remaining jalapenos and scallions.


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Are you ready to give it a try?


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd Rather Do Anything But Cook" Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Enjoy!
Linking to:
Red Fly Creations Simply Create   
504 Main Tickled Pink
Jennifer Rizzo Fabulously Creative Friday
Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Reading
The Tablescaper Blog "Oh The Places I've Been" Friday
Common Ground Be Inspired Friday
It's Overflowing Share Your Creativity Saturday
Debbiedoos and On Sutton Place Pinterest Blitz Saturday
Life On Lakeshore Drive Bouquet of Talent
Jam Hands Recipe Sharing Monday
By Stephanie Lynn Sunday Showcase
Between Naps On The Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
Ms. Toody


24 comments:

  1. It looks delicious. Good call on omitting the nuts, I would've done the same.

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    1. Yeah, it seems like it would be too much work to chew them! Thanks for stopping by, Ali!

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  2. It must be delicious and fresh, it's very hot here too so I'm going to try it.

    Marina

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    Replies
    1. It is so refreshing on a hot day, Marina…hope you enjoy it!

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  3. Looks and sounds delicious, your pictures make me drool!

    I confess I like to top off even cold soups with some hot peppers flakes (I recently found a pepper flake mill at a grocery store here, cuts the flakes to a perfect size, still flaky enough to get the flavor without rendering the whole soup spicy).

    I recently discovered a lazy version of chilled soup: small cubes of cucumber and thin slices of avocado, a bit of lime juice, stirred into a cup of plain yoghurt. Tiny bit of salt and pepper flakes on top, of course. ;-)

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  4. Mmm that sounds good. I haven't made a chilled soup for a long time. Yesterday a friend invited me for Vichyssoise and it took me back to the 80's and summer dinner parties.

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    Replies
    1. I don't know that I've ever had vichyssoise but I just know I would love it. I may have to try to make it (but only if it's easy, of course).

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  5. Looks delish and I enjoyed your stories of NJ. One of my best friends is from there and spends her summer "down the shore!"

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ann. Your friend is lucky to spend her summer down the shore...I don't get there nearly as much as I'd like!

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  6. What a lovely blog you have. I am going to follow you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Riet. I really appreciate your following me. I'm enjoying your photos of London!

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  7. Hi Amy! This sounds and looks so refreshing and delicious (and I love your photos!) Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning to our board. Have a fantastic weekend and please join us next Friday!

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  8. You cracked me up with the way y'all talk up there. We probably sound VERY different since I'm a native southerner and speak with a draw. LOl! I've never been to NJ or NY so all of that sounded new to me. We are at the beach (not down the shore) right now! I brought the laptop so I could stay connected though. I'm afraid the rain followed us from GA though. It has been rainy here today. We're in FL now. I've never had that soup before. Looks interesting. I've never even heard of that kind before. Cold soup? That would be good this time of year.

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    Replies
    1. Well, Kelly, now you've cracked me up back about your drawl, and all! Someday, when y'all (see, I'm catching on!) come up to NY or NJ, you'll be all prepared to speak funny, like we do! I hope your rain has stopped, and that you enjoy your time there. Try the cold soup!

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  9. Wow these flavours sounds really interesting and very yummy - going to give this a try for sure, as it is hot here in the UK (for once) and looking for ways to cool down :)

    Laura x
    www.sidestreetstyle.com

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  10. Your soup looks so refreshing Amy, and your beaches too! Oops, I mean "down the shore" looks so inviting - lol.

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  11. Sounds delicious! It's been so hot here too, a proper heatwave! I've had enough! So ready for it to break now. Mega envious that you have a beach (or shore! ;) nearby! We live about an hour and a half away from our closest one, and I'm so sad!

    x

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    Replies
    1. We're about the same, Rosie… an hour and a half…but we just tell ourselves that is close! It's not bad, except for when you hit traffic. Enjoy your summer!

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  12. Soup's on and sounds scrumptious and smooth!

    When I was a drama student in Toronto, from high school to university, my classmates and I would always get the biggest kick out of imitating the NYC accent. Still one of my faves and my daughter asks for command performances all the time! And even though Chicago and Toronto are considered to be sister cities, my 'blood' runs deep for NYC and upstate, for its gorgeous landscapes, fresh air and dramatic flair!

    Thanks for sharing your day at the beach, cool fuel for hot days and local lingo!

    Poppy

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    Replies
    1. Ha! Your daughter should hear the real deal! It's hilarious, even to me, sometimes. Not that a NJ accent is much better, although I swore I didn't have an accent until I met someone from somewhere (Canada, maybe?) who was "kind" enough to point out the unusual way I pronounced things! Glad your heart is with NY!

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