Succulent lamb entrecôte, a well-marbled boneless cut from the sirloin, is blanketed in a marinade of garlic, fresh marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and sage, which caramelize to form a flavorful crust as the lamb grills.

A dish as simple as caprese salad demands the best ingredients: Use firm, in-season tomatoes, the freshest burrata, and dress with pristine olive oil and top-quality balsamic vinegar. See the recipe for Caprese Salad »

This satisfying Spanish snack requires only toast, a ripe tomato, some good-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Sweet, nutty roasted sunchokes pair perfectly with the bright flavor of grape tomatoes.

A bright and simple salad adds fresh contrast to fried strips of pizza dough.

This most iconic of pizzas is topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves, the colors of the Italian flag. Get the recipe for Pizza Margherita (Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pizza) »

Janna Gur, author of The Book of New Israeli Food (Schocken, 2008), uses sumac and cinnamon to heighten the flavors of this Israeli staple. See the recipe for Israeli Chopped Salad »

Briny and slightly crispy fried capers punch up the flavor of this classic Italian tomato and mozzarella salad. Get the recipe for Caprese Salad with Fried Capers and Basil »

Roasting cherry tomatoes in an oven brings out their natural sweetness; salty salami is a perfect counterpoint. Get the recipe for Salami, Oven-Roasted Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Omelette »

Roasting garlic scapes with tomatoes and red onion sweetens them and enriches their flavor; toss them with pasta, lemon juice, and arugula for a simple summer meal. Get the recipe for Garlic Scape and Cherry Tomato Pasta »

The thin vermicelli-like noodles called fideos add starch and body to this elemental tomato soup from Patricia Quintana, chef-owner of Izote restaurant in Mexico City. See the recipe for Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup) »

A marinade of orange, cumin, and saffron flavors these juicy chicken and tomato kebabs. Get the recipe for Spiced Chicken and Tomato Kebabs (Jujeh Kabab) »

A vinaigrette made with roasted garlic and bacon adds salty, savory flavor to a classic caprese salad.

Fresh goat cheese makes a creamy, velvety sauce for pasta baked with spinach and topped with sliced tomatoes that is bright with festive colors, and deeply comforting. And as it takes only slightly longer than an hour to cook, this can be a main player in a delicious and casual last-minute Christmas dinner.

On Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, shellfish are often prepared na buzaru, simmered in a brandy-and-wine-enriched tomato sauce. Langoustines are used here, but the preparation works just as well with shrimp, clams, or mussels. See the recipe for Langoustines in Tomato, Garlic, and Wine Sauce »

On Canada’s Prince Edward Island, firm, underripe green tomatoes are transformed into a tangy-sweet condiment that is often served alongside salt cod cakes. See the recipe for Green Tomato Chow »

A snap to make for an easy weeknight meal, this recipe is also elegant enough to serve on special occasions, especially when made with fresh, high-quality tomatoes. See the recipe for Quick Fish Filets in Tomato Sauce »

Ripe and juicy tomato slices topped with herbs, butter, and toasty breadcrumbs make a wonderful summer side. See the recipe for Scalloped Tomatoes »

Tomato-Cheddar Tart

Charred tomatoes give this vibrant red salsa a hint of sweetness and smoke. See the recipe for Salsa Roja (Tomato and Chile Salsa) »

Salty-sweet tomatoes and fluffy eggs balance each other perfectly when paired together for a simple stir-fry.

Gazpacho’s richer cousin, this cool, creamy tomato soup topped with egg and jamon iberico will have you mopping up every drop with bread.

Ripe tomatoes develop umami-rich flavor when grilled with a soy sauce marinade. Mitsuba, a Japanese relative of parsley, lends a mild cilantro-like freshness. Get the recipe for Tadashi’s Grilled Tomatoes »

Simply putting tomatoes, a peeled halved onion, butter, and salt in a pot and cooking them with barely an occasional stir until they are reduced produces a deliciously concentrated sauce.

Floral vanilla bean brings out the musky qualities of cherry tomatoes in this jammy compote. Best made with ripe tomatoes at the height of summer, it’s perfect paired with a triple cream goat cheese or with firm white-fleshed fish dishes. See the recipe for Cherry Tomato-Vanilla Bean Preserves »

Made with ripe cherry tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a buttery crust, this gorgeous, rustic tart is a showstopper.

Sweet, stewed tomatoes are the perfect foil for fried ham steaks. See the recipe for Stewed Tomatoes with Ham Steaks »

Maple syrup intensifies the sweetness of tomatoes in this Quebecois recipe for Tomate Confite au Sirop d’Érable. Serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer, or tossed onto salads, pizza, or pastas. See the recipe for Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes »

Got a bumper crop of tomatoes? Tomato paste lends depth and flavor to many dishes, and it’s easy to make your own at home. See the recipe for Homemade Tomato Paste »