Heirloom tomatoes should always be the star and simple is always better. You can slice or quarter them. Drizzle with good olive oil. Sprinkle with flaky salt, fresh ground pepper, and a sprinkling of juliennéd basil. That’s the basic formula and trust me, everyone would be quite happy at just that. However, a few additions can elevate it to a new level. They make a significant difference in both flavor and presentation.

Here are a few of my favorites.

So, you have a collection of gorgeous heirlooms, different colors, different sizes. First, slice and quarter them, mixing the colors and shapes. Then, add fresh mozzarella, burrata, or some crumbled gorgonzola would work well too. Just tear or slice the cheese and sprinkle it over the tomatoes. Next, if you have some pine nuts or walnuts, toast them in a dry skillet. Just heat them on low until they’re fragrant. Then sprinkle those on as well. Additionally, a drizzle of pesto or some basil oil would be a wonderful option.

Always include fresh basil. Use good olive oil, fresh ground pepper, and a pinch of good flaky salt. Be careful not to overdo the additions; less is more, keep it simple, and let the tomatoes shine.