Nothing tastes like summer as much as a vine-ripened tomato. Eat one straight out of the garden, as you would an apple. Sprinkle it with a little salt if you wish. (If you're afraid of salt, you might want to visit my web site for the latest on why salt is not the blood-pressure-raising culprit we once believed it to be. See the link below.)

Then take your tomatoes into the kitchen and toss them into these delicious, easy salad recipes. Nothing could be simpler, better for you, more colorful, more tasty! What more can you ask for?

Tomatoes with Cucumber and Onion

4 tomatoes, sliced

2 cucumbers, sliced

1 red onion, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup light Italian dressing

Freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve with ground pepper to taste.

4 servings

Tomato-Mint Salad

1/4 cup tarragon vinegar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup chopped mint

6 large vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced

3 cucumbers, sliced

Romaine lettuce

Mint leaves for garnish

Combine the vinegar, juice, sugar, salt, pepper and mint; mix into the tomatoes and cucumbers and marinate at least 1 hour. Line a bowl with romaine leaves, place the tomatoes and cucumbers in the middle and garnish with additional mint leaves.

4 servings

Tomatoes with Pepper Salsa

1 green pepper, chopped fine

6 green onions, minced (white part)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves (optional)

1 jalapeno pepper, minced, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon wine vinegar

4 ripe tomatoes

Romaine lettuce leaves

2 cups bean sprouts

Combine all ingredients except the tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts; marinate for 4 hours or overnight. Slice the tomatoes and arrange on a bed of lettuce and sprouts; top with the salsa.

4 servings

Tomatoes and Basil

Sliced vine-ripened tomatoes

Chopped fresh basil leaves

Rice wine vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine the ingredients in any quantity you wish.

(Any number of servings)

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Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com