Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   6                    tomatoes
   1 1/2  cups          tomato juice
   1      medium        cucumber -- peeled and chopped
   1      medium        onion -- finely chopped
   1      small         green bell pepper -- finely chopped
   1      clove         garlic -- minced
     1/4  cup           olive oil
   2      tablespoons   vinegar
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/8  teaspoon      pepper
          dash          tabasco sauce -- to taste
                        croutons -- optional

Preparation:

Plunge tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen skins, then immerse in cold water. Slip skins off, coarsely chop tomatoes. In a large mixing bowl combine the chopped tomatoes, tomato juice, chopped cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and tabasco sauce. Chill. If desired, add an ice cube to each serving. Top with croutons if desired.