Plum Tomato

Prep like a pro: Chef Mike Lata of The Ordinary in Charleston, South Carolina, makes the vierge (a Southern take on the traditional French accompaniment to seafood) in the morning, so that when dinner rolls around, all that’s left to do is sear the fish.

For this juicy, herbaceous salad, feel free to combine different varieties of cucumbers and tomatoes, which are at peak season around the same time.

Adapted from The River Cafe Classic Italian Cookbook by Rose Gray, Ruth Rogers, and Michael Joseph. Copyright Rose Gray 2009.

Adapted from The River Cafe Classic Italian Cookbook by Rose Gray, Ruth Rogers, and Michael Joseph. Copyright Rose Gray 2009.

Preserve tomatoes by making this savory tomato jam recipe and enjoy summer all year long.

Skewering and grilling whole garlic cloves gives this vibrant sauce its smoky sweetness. Make it as chunky or as smooth as you like, and serve it as a dip or sauce for grilled meats.

Can't find wild boar for this recipe? No sweat; Boston butt from your butcher works just fine.

This is the best Bloody Mary recipe because you make your own mix (which means you can customize it to your heart's content). And hey, don't forget the Guinness.