Heirloom Tomato

This summer, Marino grew about 85 tomato varieties in his garden; he uses his harvest in this caprese. Burrata cheese, a fresh mozzarella filled with cream and curds, is available at some supermarkets, Italian markets, and cheese stores. Fresh whole-milk mozzarella can be substituted.

Allow this salad to sit a few minutes after tossing; the mozzarella milk and tomato juices emerge and add flavor to the dressing.

Chef Michael Mina created this dish for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. He loves this multicomponent dish because it is the essence of summer.

Susan Elizabeth Fallon of Boxford, Massachusetts writes: "I love to create new recipes to share with my husband, nine-year-old son, and friends. For me, that's the fun and adventure of cooking. I believe that eating well means using fresh, high-quality ingredients, so I'm choosy about what I buy and I grow many of my own herbs." Here's just what to do with all those tomatoes you have now. This versatile dish is great as a side, on toasted baguette slices, as a zesty omelet filling, or atop grilled fish.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are excerpted from Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein's book, Raw. Although this soup has a robust tomato flavor, it is surprisingly satiny and creamy, a result achieved by blending cucumber into the tomatoes. Chopped jalapeño provides a refreshing bite, shaved fennel adds crunch, and arbequina olives contribute both earthiness and meatiness. A final drizzle of olive oil is all that is needed to push this splendid dish over the top.

Stars and studio moguls often do their wheeling and dealing at this legendary Hollywood haunt, where Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tyra Banks have been seen. Chef Sam Marvin tweaks dishes to anyone's liking (A-lister or otherwise) and purchases the freshest ingredients daily from local farmers' markets. Think of this colorful bowl as an alphabet soup of vitamins, delivering a healthy dose of A, B6, C, and K, not to mention lycopene, a potent antioxidant.

Check out your local farmers' market for the best selection of heirloom tomatoes and use them within a few days.

If you can't find heirloom tomatoes near you, this salad would also be delicious with any ripe tomato from garden or market.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.

You’re a few minutes away from the snack of the season.

Spicy, slurpy noodles meet summer’s sweet tomatoes.

Instead of balsamic vinaigrette, think fresh ginger, nutty sesame oil, scallion, and a dash of soy.