![closeup of a ripe-looking tomato layered with burrata and fresh basil](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/cTLusouw-2zwCcvCn_bTss7sPxU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4534355_Stacked-Tomato-and-Burrata-Salad-4x3-693c85b1e424474b8aa15a26def91296.jpg)
When summer finally delivers on its promise of perfectly ripe fresh tomatoes, these are the recipes that Chef John turns to. From gazpacho to steak pizzaiola, panzanella to burrata salad, these recipes are reserved for the height of summer when fresh tomatoes are at their most beautiful, most delicious peak. Give them a try!
Mexican-Style Shrimp Cocktail
![closeup of a serving of Chef John's Mexican-Style Shrimp Cocktail in a footed glass bowl garnished with a sprig of cilantro](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/d-pZnqTVDzLkpnSOceahSmEaMUA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4064627-Mexican-Style-Shrimp-Cocktail-4x3-cropped-70dec1f5cd614a2fa63543ffbdd3e3d1.jpg)
Chef John
Cooked, cooled shrimp are mixed into a refreshing gazpacho-like sauce made with fresh tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion, celery, jalapenos, avocado, and cilantro. "This was the best shrimp cocktail ever!" raves kelly. "Served with warm naan bread and called it dinner. Perfect for summer!"
Chef John's Gazpacho
![closeup of a ramekin of Chef John's Gazpacho garnished with slices of green onion tops](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/Ef5uEnjQRIYHJUZ6M5osGbnKkR4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/842477_Chef-Johns-Gazpacho-4x3-78c05385668c4ef4ac3e30e9e819ca19.jpg)
This refreshing Spanish soup is the taste of high summer. Chef John calls it a "garden salad masquerading as a cold soup." The key is to use "killer, end-of-summer, super-sweet tomatoes," says Chef John. "There just isn't any substitute, so happy hunting." Serve cold in chilled bowls.
Beef Medallions with Fresh Horseradish Sauce
![closeup of Chef John's Beef Medallions with Fresh Horseradish Sauce garnished with chopped chives](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/bK9dL-DR0MdKKoHbH1DpFWzlFo4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8305356_Beef-Medallions-with-Fresh-Horseradish-Sauce-4x3-252f6dd1d5024785aaba15f2582ba7ba.jpg)
This quick-and-easy dish combines a sweet cherry tomato salad with pan-seared sirloin steaks and a fresh horseradish and crème fraiche sauce. Simple and light, yet hearty and comforting: "It's dedicated to that little mini-season between summer and fall," says Chef John. "That time of year when I crave hearty, comforting dishes that are still light and simple to make."
Chef John's Tomato Tart
![Chef John's Tomato Tart](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/OVFk66oJewpKlDtl07ZzSsX1snM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chef-johns-tomato-tart-450c36aff58146cf9c599e3ffd46dbab.jpeg)
Use the ripest summer tomatoes to make this classic tomato tart from the south of France. Fresh tomato slices, sprinkled with herbes de Provence and Parmesan cheese, caramelize above flaky, buttery puff pastry crust spread with a a layer of Dijon mustard. To feel even closer to Provence, enjoy with a glass of chilled rosé.
Tomato Concassé
![Tomato Concasse](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/r0b0H4IpTgimU5_KOmcg6NwfAuk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tomato-Concasse-Photo-by-Chef-John-af4840b689e94cbcba17f2da08ddd1cb.jpg)
Concassé is simply peeled, seeded, and finely chopped fresh tomatoes. Use it as a base for fresh salsas. Add it to sauces, stews, soups, and chili. "The technique is relatively quick and easy," says Chef John. "And it will allow you to enjoy those gorgeous summer tomatoes sans skin and seeds. If you're feeling ambitious, do a few quarts, and can them for the winter."
Chef John's Steak Pizzaiola
![closeup of Chef John's Steak Pizzaiola on a plate with arugula salad in the background](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/-uAy-l60HPwWeS7OKCITtdX4Bw8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5127848_Chef-Johns-Steak-Pizzaiola-4x3-0fa02cb3090043a5a6aa1000607c91f1.jpg)
Chef John
Tomato Concassé is also the key to Chef John's Steak Pizzaiola recipe. He describes it as "the soul of the superb sauce." While there are many ways to make pizzaiola, "the one thing most people agree on is that you should, if at all possible, use really fresh, very sweet, vine-ripened tomatoes," says Chef John. Serve over toasted bread with mozzarella cheese.
Chef John's Panzanella
![closeup of Chef John's Panzanella garnished with a fresh basil sprig on a serving plate](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/BmSaTnyJxU09CM7rwyjeOpImNdY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2323043_Chef-Johns-Panzanella-4x3-11ee41f0d712497bb1e070e4801ddab1.jpg)
Super-ripe cherry tomatoes make this bread salad irresistible. "The key to this panzanella is frying the bread cubes in loads of olive oil in a skillet," says Chef John, "which obviously makes them crispy. But the healthful fat also soaks into the bread cubes and renders them semi-waterproof, or dressing-proof. The same goes for the dusting of Parmesan cheese applied halfway through the crisping process."
"Naked" Cherry Tomato Salad
![closeup of a small glass bowl of three peeled cherry tomatoes topped with olive oil and coarse salt (Chef John's Chef John's "Naked" Cherry Tomato Salad)](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/msYvO3y9Z4uuBtsmfUWJAkS7GOM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3983175_Naked-Cherry-Tomato-Salad-4x3-b14518538d834e40a0aa27dc90aef6f8.jpg)
Chef John
Make this simple salad when cherry tomatoes are spectacularly sweet. You'll slip off the tomato skins and marinate them in a zippy dressing of sherry vinegar, olive oil, fresh mint, and a pinch of cayenne. "Cherry tomato skins can sometimes be tough, and you really don't notice that until it's not there anymore," says Chef John. "Choose the most perfect tomatoes you can find for this recipe." Watch the video to see Chef John's trick for removing the tomato skins.
Stacked Tomato and Burrata Salad
![closeup of a ripe-looking tomato layered with burrata and fresh basil](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/cTLusouw-2zwCcvCn_bTss7sPxU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4534355_Stacked-Tomato-and-Burrata-Salad-4x3-693c85b1e424474b8aa15a26def91296.jpg)
This stacked salad features buttery burrata cheese spread between layers of heirloom tomato slices and beautiful fresh basil leaves with a healthy drizzle of good quality olive oil. That's all there is to it! "Burrata is our newest addiction," says AdvenChef. "It's decadent and delicious. This is a beautiful presentation."
Fresh Tomato Soup with Crispy Cheese Toast
![a white ceramic bowl of tomato soup on a matching plate with two cheese-topped baguette slices](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/gsEQdDrmtn-5w7lzOD48XzbEHrw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8529792_original-2000-a2506cc8dee040dab2ee87123e79a978.jpg)
Here's Chef John's fresh tomato twist on the classic cream of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. "Since we're using fresh tomatoes at their peak of vine-ripened goodness, this simple soup is going to be not quite, but almost, 100% tomato," says Chef John.
“Toy Box” Tomato Ricotta Cheese Torta
![closeup of Chef John's "Toy Box” Tomato Ricotta Cheese Torta made with colorful heirloom cherry tomatoes](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/jtt7l8XjHMLgca3obldRxoqLSXg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7692905_Toy-Box-Tomato-Ricotta-Cheese-Torta-4x3-d65db14bccc148e6a01178bf38b848ba.jpg)
Chef John
This crustless tomato tart showcases colorful heirloom cherry tomatoes. "Followed the recipe to a T and it was great. Super flavorful and easy. I'd have it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Yet another perfect recipe from Chef John." – A M
Fresh Garden Tomato Sauce
![closeup of a small glass canning jar filled with Chef John's Fresh Garden Tomato Sauce](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/KK6uvJI8Kt9uSy3QiM0fX7vsdFA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6649893_Fresh-Garden-Tomato-Sauce-4x3-5806414a11764c20ab640189a5d19952.jpg)
Chef John
"As you know, I'm not above opening a can of tomatoes or jar of prepared sauce to use with pasta. In fact, I do it proudly with zero shame," says Chef John. "But when it's the middle of fresh tomato season, and the vines in our garden are heavy with this glorious fruit, all of a sudden I turn into a major food snob. Nothing but the homemade stuff will do."
Greek Tomato Feta Fritters (Domatokeftethes)
![closeup of Chef John's Domatokeftethes (tomato-feta fritters) on a blue plate with a glass dish of tzatziki for dipping](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/-kHmuScXP5O10q71avOCWg6f_FI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6649251_Greek-Tomato-Feta-Fritters-Domatokeftethes-4x3-7aa96df3b47e48b9adaad4eeefe231e8.jpg)
Chef John
Chef John describes these herb- and cheese-packed fritters as a perfect summertime appetizer. "This recipe is EXTRAORDINARY! I followed it to a T and the fritters came out fantastic. My guests raved about them. Just picked up fresh Jersey tomatoes for a new round." – frontson
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Chef John