Strawberry and Fennel Gazpacho

• 1 cup cubed day-old country bread, crusts removed
• 2 pounds ripest, most flavorful tomatoes, seeded; 2 tablespoons finely diced, for garnish, the rest chopped
• 2 pound strawberries, hulled; 2 tablespoons finely diced, the rest chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, cored and seeded; 2 tablespoons finely diced, the rest chopped
• 1/4 medium-size fennel bulb; 2 tablespoons finely diced, the rest thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 1/4 cups chilled bottled spring water
• 2 medium-size garlic cloves, crushed with a garlic press
• Coarse salt (kosher or sea)

1. Place the bread in a bowl, add cold water to cover, and let soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Drain the bread and squeeze out the excess liquid.
3. Place the soaked bread and the chopped tomatoes, strawberries, green pepper, and fennel in a large bowl.
4. Toss to mix and let stand for 15 minutes.
5. Working in two batches, place the vegetable mixture in a food processor and process until smooth, adding half of the olive oil to each batch.
6. Once each batch is finished, puree it finely in a blender, then transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
7. Add the spring water and garlic (the gazpacho should have the consistency of a smoothie).
8. Season the soup with salt to taste and refrigerate it, covered, until chilled, about 2 hours.
9. Meanwhile, place the finely diced tomato, strawberries, green pepper, and fennel in a bowl and toss to mix.
10. Spoon the diced tomato mixture into shallow bowls and ladle the chilled gazpacho on top.
11. Drizzle olive oil over the surface and serve.

country bread, tomatoes, strawberries, green bell pepper, fennel, extravirgin olive oil, water, garlic, salt

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/strawberry-and-fennel-gazpacho (may not work)