How about a gazpacho recipe for Father’s Day from Chef Renee that’s he-man enough to please Dad and that’s also sure to win over the rest of the family?

Smoky Gazpacho Mario with Spicy Slim Jim Stirrer

Serves 4

The night before: fill one ice cube tray with tomato juice, and freeze overnight. Use the rest of the tomato juice in the recipe below.

Place 4 tall highball glasses in the refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS

1-quart Sacramento tomato juice, or V8 juice, divided as indicated above
1 cucumber, peeled and seeded, and cut into large dice
1 green pepper, seeded, and cut into large dice
½ red onion, peeled and cut into large dice
½ lemon, juiced
¼ cup sherry wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
large pinch Italian parsley (no stems), plus 4 nice sprigs
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ jalapeno pepper (or serrano)- optional
12 twists fresh black pepper

One package of Slim Jim sausage sticks.  Remove from package and leave at room temperature for 30 minutes.

METHOD

Place all ingredients (except Slim Jim sticks) in blender.  First pulse until every ingredient is well chopped, then puree until you have an easily pourable drink.

Add 1 cup of vodka (or dill seed flavored Aquavit) and re blend briefly.

Taste for seasoning.

Add tomato ice cubes to highball glasses.  Pour in the Smoky Gazpacho Mario until ¾ full and add a Slim Jim to each glass, along with a sprig of Italian parsley.

Related posts:

1. Recipe: Gazpacho for an End of Summer Soup Treat
2. Recipe: Thanksgiving Squash Soup
3. Upper West Side: Zabars for Great Gazpacho