Fresh tomato juice

Did you drink those little cans of V8 as a kid? I did. Unlike most kids, I actually enjoyed them. Maybe that explains why I love bloody marys so much. For me, it's more about the tomato juice than the vodka.

This is the easiest tomato juice recipe ever. You can make this faster than going to the grocery store. That is, if you have ripe tomatoes at home. I highly recommend using local tomatoes from the farmers market.

Simple tomato juice
Recipe by Deborah Madison, Local Flavors
3 large tomatoes, quartered (heirloom are my favorite)
1/2 c ice cubes
lemon juice, to taste
dash of sea salt & cracked pepper
dash of cayenne
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)

Blend tomatoes and ice on high. Pour through a sieve–to remove the tomato pulp and skins–into a mason jar. Using the back of a wooden spoon, push the liquid out of the mixture. Stir in the lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne and vinegar. Since the juice was blended with ice, it will be nice and chilled. Pour yourself a glass and garnish with a celery stick or fresh basil. Makes about 2 cups, depending on the size of your tomatoes.