Plump, fresh summer tomatoes need almost nothing added to them.

Tossing ripe tomatoes into a salad designed for their sweet, dewy flavours brings out the best in their flavour, and also provides the most nutrition.

Tomato tip: Don't refrigerate

Leave tomatoes at room temperature until ready to enjoy. Refrigeration causes loss of flavour and an undesirable, mealy texture. Tomatoes that need further ripening can be stored in a paper bag or kept in a cool, dark space.

Dill Cucumber Tomato Salad

Former Canadian Living Test Kitchen food specialist Adell Shneer got this recipe from her mum, Toby Reichert, who is a great, no-fuss kind of cook. "This salad, one of her best, is quick, easy and perfect when paired with the richness of a Hanukkah meal."

3/4 tsp (4 mL) granulated sugar
2 tbsp (25 mL) white vinegar
1 mild white onion (such as Vidalia), sliced
4 cups (1 L) coarsely chopped peeled English cucumber 2 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped
3 tbsp (50 mL) canola or vegetable oil
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp/5 mL dried dillweed)
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt, pepper and celery salt

Preparation:
In large bowl, dissolve sugar in vinegar; add onion and mix. Marinate for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Make-ahead: Cover and marinate for up to 4 hours.)

Add cucumber and tomatoes. Stir in oil, dill, salt, pepper and celery salt.

4 More Summer Tomato Recipes

Grilled Peach & Tomato Salad

With peak-of-the-season tomatoes and peaches, snap peas and fresh herbs, this salad tastes like summer in a bowl. Get the recipe here.

Heirloom Tomato Salad With Feta

 Locally grown tomatoes and real feta cheese is a classic salad, with good reason. Greece has won the right to call its tangy white goats' cheese “feta.” Other countries producing similar cheese must add the country of origin, such as Danish feta, to distinguish it from the real thing. Get the recipe here.

CHARRED CORN & TOMATO SALAD WITH CHIPOTLE VINAIGRETTE

For the most robust smoky, spicy flavour, we've seeded the tomatoes, which would otherwise dilute the vinaigrette. Reserve the sauce from the can of chipotle chilies; you'll need some in this recipe. Serve your salad topped with grilled fish or a fresh baguette to soak up any juices. Get the recipe here.

Tomato & Orzo Summer Salad

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