THE RIPE STUFF

Few things are more delightful than pulling a ripe, juicy tomato straight off the vine and then eating it standing over the kitchen sink. As a chef, I love the fact tomatoes are so incredibly versatile in the kitchen. I’ll work a plump, delicious tomato into just about any recipe I can — raw in salads and salsas, stewed in sauces, or roasted with meats and vegetables. Head to the farmers market or your own garden to ensure you’re getting tomatoes at their delicious peak.

There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes in an array of shapes, colors, sizes,