Sliced Fresh Tomato Salad

When fresh summer tomatoes hit their peak about this time of year, they really need very little attention to shine. Buy them locally, keep them on the counter and eat them quickly--they don't last long and, while they do keep fine in the refrigerator, they lose some of their flavor when chilled.

This fresh tomato salad is very very simple. Just sliced tomatoes with basil and a basic lemon dressing. The complex flavor compounds of ripe tomatoes do the rest.

Sliced Fresh Tomato Salad

5-6 heirloom tomatoes, each of a different color or variety, sliced about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Handful of lemon basil leaves, torn

Arrange tomato slices on a platter. Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice and pour over tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and top with torn basil leaves.