Kitchenwise: Tomatoes are the stars of Chilled BLT Soup

[...] Chilled BLT Soup puts the T'' in BLT.

First salt the large tomatoes, which form the base of the soup.

(Use a blender, not a food processor, which doesn't produce a smooth texture.) Also, if you seed the tomatoes, you lose a lot of the jelly surrounding the seeds — and that jelly is where the tomato essence lives.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

[...] on a large rimmed sheet pan toss the bread cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil until they are well coated.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is crisp, about 5 minutes.

In a strainer set over a bowl toss the cherry tomatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let them drain for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise with the garlic, the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the tomato juice from the drained cherry tomatoes and stir well.

Transfer to a bowl, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the sherry vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition information per serving: 380 calories; 250 calories from fat; 28 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 13 mg cholesterol; 573 mg sodium; 27 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 8 g protein.