Gazpacho Soup

Today, I had a wonderful group with my patients.

Sometimes, when I run a group, I ask patients to introduce themselves with the following questions: “what do you love to do?” Or, “what do you do that makes you lose track of time?”

Surprisingly, such a simple question generates a lot of discussion. It engenders positive feelings of well-being and it is an opportunity for patients to share with each other their passions in life.

One patient, Henri, (I wrote about him in The Birthday Party https://coffeeklatchinsight.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/the-birthday-party/) shared in an earlier group that he loves to garden and he even grows his own vegetables.

Today, he surprised us. He brought in his first crop of tomatoes. With such luscious tomatoes, I decided to make gazpacho soup.

I have not made gazpacho soup in years. I forgot how great it is.

This recipe comes from my Aunt Perel (A”H). Aunt Perel was a fabulous cook! I think of her often, especially when I cook.

Cooking was Aunt Perel’s passion in life. She could quote the source and the originator of a particular recipe the way other people discuss academic research.

This soup is particularly great when using fresh, ripe tomatoes. It feels like eating salad in a bowl.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs ripe tomatoes

3/4 cup onions

1 cucumber, peeled

1 small green pepper

1-2 garlic cloves

1.5 teaspoons salt, to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup olive oil (can add up to 1/3 cup, but my family does not like things with too much oil)

1/2 cup wine vinegar

1/2 cup water

Optional: 3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs, or serve with croutons

Instructions

Place ingredients in food processor and pulse until desired consistency. Adjust seasoning. Serve chilled.

tomatoes shared during our group

voila! final product

I must say, this soup surpassed my wildest expectations!

My husband loved it! He said, “this is fantastic! I don’t even like gazpacho….. Can I have some more?”

A true vote of confidence!

Many blessings to Aunt Perel (A”H) for sharing her wonderful recipes and culinary expertise.

 

The Birthday Party

The Birthday Party       This week I had one of the most moving moments in my professional life. I work in Geriatric Psychiatry. As part of my job, I facilitate 2 groups on Positive Aging. Last week, one group began with a patient sharing that it was his son’s birthday that day.  What emerged […]

https://coffeeklatchinsight.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/the-birthday-party/

Off topic: Merry Christmas and Gifts For The Holidays

 

I was struggling to find the right picture for a Christmas greeting. This picture was actually given to me today by a patient’s daughter. I liked it so much that I asked her if she would let me post it as a greeting card. K, generously agreed. Thank you K!

As I have shared, I work in geriatric psychiatry. Everyday my patients share with me the gift of their wisdom and a beautiful depth of perspective. 

In their honor, I wanted to share my gifts to them for the holidays this year.

This year, I gave them the pictures below, laminated.

  
 

This picture was taken at sunset, which I thought was a nice metaphor for my patients.

 

This was based on many of the discussions we have in our group. I am often astounded by the depth and wisdom of my patients. I wish I could record them!

Happy holidays to all!

Enjoy!

Reference: 

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The Gentle Weapon: Prayers For Every Day And Not So Every Day Moments: Timeless Wisdom From The Teachings Of The Hassidic Master (1999) Jewish Lights Publishing; Woodstock Vermont.
Here is a link to the book, which I highly recommend: