Cold Summer Soups

You come home from a work feeling hot and sticky from the humidity and heat of the day and all you can think about is stepping in the shower, putting on some comfortable clothes and having a light cold dinner. What about a delicious cold soup. These recipes are quick and easy and fill the bill.
Visit one of the exciting Farmers Markets in your area of the city to get the freshest vegtables and fruits for these and all your recipes.
Tomato and Avocado Soup

• 1 lb. (about 4 tomatoes) tomatoes, chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, chopped
• ¼ cup seedless cucumber, chopped
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 T red wine vinegar
• 1 C water
• ¾ t salt
• ½ t cumin
• 1/8 t cayenne pepper
• 2 avocados, diced (about 2 cups)
• Combine all ingredients except avocado in a large bowl. Mash lightly with a potato masher, stir in 1 cup water, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 6. Stir in the avocado and serve immediately.

Cantaloupe Soup

• 1 lg., ripe cantaloupe
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• Fresh mint sprigs
• 2 c. orange juice
• Remove seeds from melon and cube the pulp. Place pulp and cinnamon in the electric blender and puree. Combine orange and lime juices and stir into the puree. Chill and serve in chilled soup bowls or ½ of an avocado. Garnish with mint sprigs.