You've Got To Cool It Now: Heat Wave Edition

SFisters are forced to lighten up our menus as the warm weather continues. The burning questions on what to eat and drink looms large. Our answers:

Eat it: blender soups, savory or sweet. Just in time for tomato season, rev up the blender and make gazpacho. Combine in a blender 3 cups or more tomato juice (or you can do a 50-50 combo of veggie stock), 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice, 18 ounces chopped seeded tomatoes, 6 ounces diced English hothouse cucumber, 1 cup chopped red or green bell pepper, 1 medium chopped white onion, cilantro, and parsley. Mince 1 green onion and 2 garlic cloves garlic. Heat lovers, add: a seeded minced jalapeno chili or ample shakes of favorite hot sauce. After blending, add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve chilled. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream or non-fat plain yogurt, and sprigs of cilantro and parsley.

Sweet fruit soup: blend 4 cups of any combo fresh chopped peaches, berries, and melon with ½ cup orange juice. Add sugar or honey if needed. Chill at least half an hour before serving. Ample pours of Prosecco or Cointreau mixed in make this va-va-voom adult fun in a bowl.

Hot chicken and cold drink/treat suggestions after the jump.

SFist Mary, contributing.