Tastes just like the fresh tomato version - honest!

1/2 med. onion
1 clove garlic
2 cucumbers, 1 diced and 1 cut into spears
1 green pepper
1 sm. can black olives (mild, not Greek), sliced
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
Juice from 1 lg. lemon
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 can plum tomatoes, drained, with the tomatoes cut in half and squeezed to eliminate most seeds and extra juice
2 c. tomato juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 avocado (optional)

1. Finely diced onion and garlic; coarse chop cucumbers and green peppers. Combine with olives, thyme, basil, oregano, lemon juice and olive oil and marinate for 1/2 hour.

2. Medium chop the tomatoes, fine chop 3/4 of the avocado. Combine tomatoes, avocado, tomato juice, salt, pepper and marinated ingredients and place in refrigerator overnight.

3. Serve with remaining avocado, cucumber spears, croutons and 1 teaspoon sour cream. Serves 8.

Note: Chopping may be by hand or in a food processor.