tomatoes

Wish you could distill late summer into a glass? Although basil, pink peppercorns and balsamic vinegar are slightly unusual-sounding cocktail ingredients, when mixed with gin and tomato water, everything comes together. — Christine Sismondo

When sweet, juicy tomatoes are at their prime, follow this strict daily regimen: Buy, eat, repeat.

If you like bruschetta and garlic bread, you will love this easy strata, which features a store-bought loaf stuffed with three cheeses and fresh tomatoes.

One of the most gratifying things for a home cook is to scrummage a meal together out of leftovers. It’s enormously satisfying to ransack the fridge and use up what lies under plastic wrap or is lounging about in the vegetable drawer; it always provides a relaxed, unforced creativity. I certainly would never have thought of using horseradish as a dressing for a tomato salad if I hadn’t wanted to find a way to use up a horseradish root staring beseechingly at me every time I opened the fridge. - Nigella

Crumbled cauliflower replaces the traditional bulgur in this hearty salad.