She also suggests a recipe like tomato basil tartlets, which can be pulled from the oven as people arrive.

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For starters, the plum tomato and basil with homemade mozzarella pizzetta is refreshingly flavorsome.

FORBES: Fact & Comments

Garnish with a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad.

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Jung Sik Dang combines ingenuity and impeccable form, turning out dishes like a bowl of tomato jelly, basil sorbet and fresh vegetables, all mixed together at the table in a modern spin on bibimbap (a traditional dish of rice, vegetables, meat and chilli paste, which are stirred together right before eating).

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Slices of Wisconsin mozzarella are topped with a garlicky, yet subtly sweet tomato sauce, and the fresh basil and homemade sausage pack a punch.

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Then again, I don't know how many dogs can tell the difference between fresh and canned tomato sauce, or register disappointment if their pie shows up without a sprig of fresh basil.

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Every summer, when he smells the first sweet tomato from his yard, he remembers a story from several years ago, involving tomatoes, basil, olive oil, champagne and a light bulb.

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