Easiest gazpacho

This one can be made in volume, and never disappoints.  And did I mention how healthy it is?

Mix together in a good blender the following until pureed:

• around 600g large tomatoes
• 2 large teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 red or orange pepper (paprika)
• 1 onion
• 1 large clove garlic or two if you want it garlicky
• juice of 1 lime
• handful of fresh basil leaves
• around 400 ml water
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon good balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
• Optional: you can add a small bunch of fresh mint to the blender and Worcestershire sauce to taste when serving.

A great variation for ginger lovers:  reduce garlic and add two inches of fresh ginger, to taste.

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Quick and tasty broccoli muffins

Mix the following in a blender, pour into paper cupcake cups and bake at 200oC for 40 mins or until beautifully golden brown.  I thought this would make a great healthy and fun variation on the broccoli patties by baking rather than frying them.

• 2 boiled (or shh… microwaved) potatoes
• 300g steamed broccoli
• 100 g grated cheese of your choice
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1.5 tsp sea salt
• fresh ground pepper to taste
• 2 beaten eggs
• 6 tbs ground flaxseed – for a great healthy twist

Serve with fresh green salad and a side mix of half ketchup, half mayo – although I found the muffins tasty enough not to require the latter.