Heirloom Tomato

Why stick with chicken or eggplant? Portobello Parmesan is just as tasty—and it doesn't need any breading. Choose mushrooms that are fresh (you'll know because they'll still be curled up around the edges). Older ones are flat and won't hold the filling as well.

The term shell bean generally refers to any bean that has to be removed from the pod before eating.

Look for marinated feta in the refrigerated section of the supermarket where other specialty cheeses are sold.

If the idea of tomatoes and watermelon together sounds odd to you, this dish will be a revelation. There is a saying that what grows together goes together, and in this case it is true. If you think of tomatoes as a fruit, which they are botanically, this combination makes more sense. Seasonality, however, is the key. I make this salad only in the summer, when tomatoes, watermelon, and cucumbers are at their peak of flavor. Rich, creamy Hass avocadoes are included to lend a nice contrast of flavor and texture. I always toss this salad together before serving, but for the photo opposite I was inspired to create a painstaking mosaic of the ingredients. If you're so inclined, feel free, but don't say I didn't warn you—it takes a lot of time.

Tomatoes at the peak of flavor need only fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and a few minutes on a hot grill.

Serve this cold or at room temperature—perfect for a picnic or barbecue.

The trick to this tasty combo is slicing the tomatoes ultra-thin. For added ease, buy presliced salmon at the supermarket.

Use beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes for this dish. Serve with crusty bread and a chilled Pinot Grigio or a Provençal-style rosé.

You'll find burrata cheese at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, Italian markets, and cheese shops.

Mizuna (a Japanese salad green) is available spring through summer at specialty foods stores and Asian markets. If you can't find it, use mixed greens instead.

For tender burgers, gently combine and shape the chicken mixture.

This recipe alone is reason enough to grab your tote bag and head to the farmers market. Blackberry Farm dresses up the dish with parmesan foam and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, but the ingredients stand on their own beautifully. Slip a fried egg on top, and you have an easy summer supper.

This recipe is a great excuse to buy heirloom tomatoes in different colors and varieties — they'll look beautiful here.

This layered salad is definitely stacked: Michael Taus, executive chef and owner of Zealous restaurant in Chicago, has piled in all the vitamins C and B12 you need for the day, as well as 50 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin A.

This starter, from Colby Garrelts, chef and co-owner of Bluestem in Kansas City, Missouri, is ideal for any summer get-together. For only 72 calories per serving, you'll get nearly 30 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin A, plus 4 grams of fiber.

This creation from Salvatore Marino, chef at Il Grano in Los Angeles, is the perfect finger food: tasty and healthy.