Roasted Tomato Basil Gazpacho with Avocado

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Pounds Ripe Campari Tomatoes
  
• Cored and Halved Lengthwise
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• 3 Cups Chicken (or Vegetable) Broth
• 1 Cup Chopped Vidalia Onion
• 2 Tablespoons Garlic
• Minced
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 Jalapeño
• Seeded and Chopped
• 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Avocado
• Halved, Peeled, Pitted and Cut Into 1/4" Slices
• 2 Tablespoons Cilantro
• Chopped

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Toss tomatoes, oil and basil and arrange cut-side down in a large roasting pan.
• Roast until tomato skins or shriveled and starting to brown, about 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and pour 1 cup of broth over tomatoes and let cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, transfer tomatoes, broth and any burnt bits on side of pan to a blender.
• Add onion, garlic, lime juice, jalapeño, cumin and salt to blender and purée until smooth.
• Transfer purée to a bowl and add remaining 2 cups of broth.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Serve in soup bowls, garnished with avocado slices and cilantro.

Great refreshing, summer-time soup. Roasting the tomatoes increases the their natural, sweet, fruity flavor while combining with the olive oil and basil giving the dish its smooth, silky texture.
Enjoy!

This dish was adapted from one found at www.eatingwell.com