Combine tomato, onion, green pepper and cucumber chunks. Puree them in a blender until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir until well mixed and smooth. Add tomato juice, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover and chill. Before serving, stir in the oil and vinegar. Pass the finely chopped vegetable garnishes and garlic croutons separately.

Garlic Croutons

Toast the bread slices lightly. Remove crusts and cut the bread into one-half-inch squares. Clarify the butter by melting it in a saucepan, then separating the clear butter from the milky residue. Discard the residue. Transfer the clarified butter to a skillet and put it over medium heat. Stir in garlic. Add the cubes of bread and saute, stirring, until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels.