Italian Wine Labels

I came across a brown paper bag with the words “Italian Wine Labels” written on it. Inside the bag there were maybe two dozen wine labels that were removed from the bottle. I was, for some reason, obsessed with this activity about 10 to 12 years ago. So I kept them all these years. Not surprising. I’m quite a pack rat.

My first thought was do something crafty for Christmas. Make them into ornaments. They are mostly 3 by 4 inch rectangles of paper. I thought I might glue them to balsa wood and hang them with a piece of ribbon.

When I mentioned my find and the potential craft, he immediately said scan them and make wrapping paper. What a crafty idea! At the very least it would preserve them as an image that can be reprinted forever.

Neanderthal Gazpacho (by The Mister)

The pound pound pounding was enough to wake up the cliche. I hadn't thought too much about blogging this until after the fact, or I could have gotten some cool chop chop chopping pictures and maybe even a small video of the action. Maybe next time. At least I caught this mess in time, and he proudly told me that it was His Very Own Recipe, Neanderthal Gazpacho!!!

Of course I Googled Gazpacho to see what came up (including my spelling of it, unbelievable that it's correct). I landed on this site only to discover the dish originated in Andalusian Spain. 

  

Wow, that's a cowinky dink! We took care of a couple of Andalusian goats for awhile and it's my Photostory Friday post on my other blog. Heck if others won't link me, I'll link myself. (That almost  sounded risque.)

I know you're dying for the recipe, so as told to me by him:

Ripe tomatoes picked from Judy's wonderful garden

Red onion

Cucumber, cut off skin

Bell pepper also fresh from garden (He usually uses a hot pepper, but my Bells are pretty tangy this year.) 

Parsley from garden

Garlic

Kiwi (and strawberries if available)

Everything is chopped up and then pulverized in his granite mortar and pestle. That's the Neanderthal part. He wanted me to be sure to tell you that neanderthals did not use mortar and pestles. I'll do a little research and get back to you on the origins on that which I should probably already know because I have a small collection.

Now combine all ingredients in one bowl and add to taste

Sea salt

Ground fresh black pepper Lots, he insists.

Juice of one lime

He then adds vinegar and extra virgin olive oil in a 3 to 12 ratio, tablespoons that is. It was at this time I entered the kitchen to find the above pre-clean up. I raced for my camera.

"Wait," I screamed. "Don't clean anything up! I'm going to blog your recipe!"

  

I can never tell if he's more amused or annoyed that I tell the world about us or our dirty kitchen, but I tell him, "Don't worry because nobody reads my blog anyway." I know that always makes me feel better.

Refrigerate soup overnight. In the morning, he scoops out a portion for lunch and adds more olive oil. He's an olive oil freak! He likes his soup chunky, but I noticed lots of recipes add bread cubes and blend it smooth. 

It's quite tasty.

Neanderthal Gazpacho