7 Ways to Cook Better With Tomatoes

Steps

1. 1

   Select your tomatoes based on the desired outcome: use small cherry or grape tomatoes for consistent sweetness and structure, or cut larger tomatoes into chunky 1- to 2-inch pieces to prevent them from turning mushy.

2. 2

   Dress the tomatoes with fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar to enhance their natural brightness without overpowering the tomato essence.

3. 3

   For a savory application, salt the cut tomatoes and let them sit briefly to release their juices, then drizzle with chile crisp. The combination of tomato water and spicy oil creates a flavorful dressing.

4. 4

   To make a fresh sauce or dip, halve a large ripe tomato crosswise and grate the cut side against the large holes of a box grater into a bowl until only the skin remains. Season the pulp with salt, and if needed, a pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon.

5. 5

   To concentrate flavor, bake tomatoes low and slow in a generous amount of butter or olive oil. This evaporates the water and caramelizes the sugars without burning them, resulting in a silky, savory texture.

6. 6

   Serve tomatoes with dairy (like burrata or feta) or other fruits (like peaches or watermelon) to balance the acidity with fat or sweetness.