Fresh salmon, cucumbers and tomatoes make a tasty combination in this creamy soup supper. Gazpacho is a Spanish soup served at room temperature or chilled. Adding freshly cooked salmon creates a complete one-dish meal in which the soup ingredients flavor the salmon.

The secret to the rich flavor of this dinner is the salmon is cooked for just a few minutes on its own and removed from the saucepan, so that it does not overcook. It’s then added to the remaining ingredients in the gazpacho so the flavors can blend.

The salmon may be a little red in the center when it is removed from the skillet. It will continue to cook in its own heat once it is removed.

Helpful Hints:

— Salmon fillets or steak can be used.

— Low-sodium V8 juice can be used instead of low-sodium tomato juice.

— Fresh diced tomatoes, cucumber and onion can be found in the produce section of the supermarket.

— A quick way to slice scallions is to snip them with a scissors.

Countdown:

— Prepare ingredients.

— Cook salmon.

— Toast bread.

— Complete soup.

Shopping List:

To buy: 3/4 pound wild salmon fillet, 1 carton nonfat, plain yogurt, 1 bottle low-sodium tomato juice*, 1 loaf crusty whole wheat bread, 2 containers fresh diced tomatoes (2 cups needed), 1 container fresh diced onion, 1 container fresh diced cucumber, 1 bunch scallions

Staples: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black peppercorns

*Look for low-sodium tomato juice containing per cup (8 ounces): 41 calories, 10.3 g carbohydrate, 24 mg sodium.

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Salmon Gazpacho

3/4 pound wild caught salmon fillet

1 cup low-sodium tomato juice*

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons fresh diced tomatoes, divided use

3/4 cup fresh diced onion

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh diced cucumber, divided use

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

1 cup nonfat, plain yogurt

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 slices crusty whole wheat bread

2 scallions sliced

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and saute 3 minutes, turn and saute 3 minutes for a 3/4-inch piece. If the salmon is thicker, cook another 2 minutes per side until salmon is cooked through. While salmon cooks, pour tomato juice into a blender or food processor. Add 2 cups tomatoes, the onion, 3/4 cup diced cucumber, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and yogurt. Blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 large soup bowls. Toast bread. Cut cooked salmon into 1 to 2-inch pieces and divide between the bowls. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons diced tomatoes and 2 tablespoons diced cucumber over soup and sprinkle scallions on top.

Yield 2 servings

Per serving: 518 calories, 142 calories from fat, 15.8 g total fat, 2.6 g saturated fat, 6.9 g monounsaturated, 98.5 mg cholesterol, 351 mg sodium, 44.6 g carbohydrate, 6.5 g dietary fiber, 15.4 g sugars, 53 g protein

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat-free milk, 3 vegetable, 6 lean meat, 1 fat