tomatoes

anchovies

Anchovy dissolved in a tomato sauce multiplies the umami without tasting fishy—the glutamates in both ingredients stack to create a meatier, deeper sauce than either ingredient alone.

capers

Capers add briny acidity that sharpens tomatoes and pushes them toward puttanesca-style intensity.

garlic

Garlic is the essential aromatic base for almost all tomato sauces—its allicin compounds provide the deep savoury foundation that makes tomato sauce distinctly Italian rather than simply cooked tomato.

olive oil

Olive oil carries tomatoes' aroma and softens their acidity, forming the base of countless sauces, salads, and bruschette.

onions

Onions add sweetness and savory depth that round tomatoes into a proper sauce base.

oregano

Oregano gives tomatoes a warm Mediterranean backbone, especially in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, and braises.

pepper, black

Black pepper adds heat and aromatic bite that keeps tomatoes from tasting purely sweet or acidic.

vinegar, balsamic

Balsamic vinegar deepens tomatoes with sweet acidity, especially in salads, reductions, and roasted dishes.

aioli

Aioli adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

allspice

Allspice adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

almonds

Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives tomatoes more contrast and substance.

arugula

Arugula complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

avocados

Avocados adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

basil, lemon

Basil, Lemon brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

basil, purple

Basil, Purple adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

bay leaf

Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

beans, fava

Beans, Fava adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with tomatoes's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.

beans, green

Beans, Green adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with tomatoes's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.

beets

Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

bell peppers, red

Bell Peppers, Red brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

bell peppers, green

Bell Peppers, Green brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

bell peppers, yellow

Bell Peppers, Yellow brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

bread, bread crumbs

Bread, Bread Crumbs gives tomatoes a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.

broccoli

Broccoli adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

butter, unsalted

Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

carrots

Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

cauliflower

Cauliflower adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

cayenne

Cayenne brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

celery and celery salt

Celery And Celery Salt adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

cheese, blue

Cheese, Blue adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, cabrales

Cheese, Cabrales adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, cheddar

Cheese, Cheddar adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, feta

Cheese, Feta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, goat

Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, gorgonzola

Cheese, Gorgonzola adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, mozzarella

Cheese, Mozzarella adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, parmesan

Cheese, Parmesan adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, pecorino

Cheese, Pecorino adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, ricotta

Cheese, Ricotta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, ricotta salata

Cheese, Ricotta Salata adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give tomatoes more structure and make the combination feel fuller.

cheese, sheep's milk

Cheese, Sheep'S Milk adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

chervil

Chervil adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

chicken

Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

chickpeas

Chickpeas adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with tomatoes's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.

chile peppers, chipotle

Chile Peppers, Chipotle brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chile peppers, habanero

Chile Peppers, Habanero brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chile peppers, jalapeño

Chile Peppers, Jalapeño brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chile peppers, serrano

Chile Peppers, Serrano brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chile peppers, and/or dried sweet

Chile Peppers, And/Or Dried Sweet brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chili

Chili brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chili sauce

Chili Sauce brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

chives

Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens tomatoes's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.

cilantro

Cilantro adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

cinnamon

Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

coconut milk

Coconut Milk adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

coriander

Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

corn

Corn adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

crab

Crab brings briny savory depth that contrasts with tomatoes's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.

cream

Cream adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

cream cheese

Cream Cheese adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

cucumbers

Cucumbers adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

cumin

Cumin adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

curry

Curry adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

dill

Dill adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

eggplant

Eggplant adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

eggs

Eggs complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

fennel

Fennel adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

fennel seeds

Fennel Seeds adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

fish

Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with tomatoes's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.

garlic chives

Garlic Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens tomatoes's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.

ginger

Ginger complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

ham

Ham adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

hazelnuts

Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives tomatoes more contrast and substance.

honey

Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

horseradish

Horseradish brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

lamb

Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

lavender

Lavender adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

leeks

Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens tomatoes's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.

legumes

Legumes adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with tomatoes's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.

lemon, juice

Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

lemon, zest

Lemon, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

lemon balm

Lemon Balm brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

lime, juice

Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

lovage

Lovage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

madeira

Madeira complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

mango

Mango adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

marjoram

Marjoram adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

mayonnaise

Mayonnaise adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

meats

Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

melon

Melon adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

mint

Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

mushrooms

Mushrooms reinforces tomatoes's earthy side and adds umami depth, especially in richer cooked preparations.

mustard

Mustard brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

oil, grapeseed

Oil, Grapeseed adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

oil, vegetable

Oil, Vegetable adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

okra

Okra adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

olives, black

Olives, Black adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

olives, niçoise

Olives, Niçoise adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.

orange, juice

Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

paprika

Paprika adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

parsley, flat-leaf

Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

pasta and pasta sauces

Pasta And Pasta Sauces gives tomatoes a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.

peas

Peas adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with tomatoes's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.

pepper, white

Pepper, White brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

pineapple

Pineapple adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

pizza

Pizza gives tomatoes a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.

port

Port complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

raspberries

Raspberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

red pepper flakes

Red Pepper Flakes brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

rice

Rice gives tomatoes a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.

rosemary

Rosemary adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

saffron

Saffron adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against tomatoes's natural base notes.

sage

Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

salads, green

Salads, Green adds structure and seasoning that helps tomatoes integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.

salt, fleur de sel

Salt, Fleur De Sel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

salt, kosher

Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

salt, sea

Salt, Sea adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

sandwiches

Sandwiches complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

sauces

Sauces adds structure and seasoning that helps tomatoes integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.

shallots

Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens tomatoes's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.

shellfish

Shellfish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with tomatoes's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.

soups

Soups adds structure and seasoning that helps tomatoes integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.

squash

Squash complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

stews

Stews adds structure and seasoning that helps tomatoes integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.

stocks / broths, beef

Stocks / Broths, Beef adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

stocks / broths, chicken

Stocks / Broths, Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

stocks / broths, vegetable

Stocks / Broths, Vegetable adds structure and seasoning that helps tomatoes integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.

strawberries

Strawberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

sugar

Sugar adds seasoning or sweetness that balances tomatoes's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.

tabasco sauce

Tabasco Sauce brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up tomatoes's milder flavors and adds contrast.

tarragon

Tarragon adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

thyme

Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping tomatoes from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.

tomato paste

Tomato Paste complements tomatoes by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.

veal

Veal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives tomatoes more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.

vinaigrettes

Vinaigrettes brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, raspberry

Vinegar, Raspberry brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, red wine

Vinegar, Red Wine brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, rice

Vinegar, Rice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, sherry

Vinegar, Sherry brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, tarragon

Vinegar, Tarragon brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, white

Vinegar, White brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

vinegar, wine

Vinegar, Wine brings acidity and brightness that sharpens tomatoes's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.

watermelon

Watermelon adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out tomatoes's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.

wine, red

Wine, Red adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps tomatoes work in drinks, sauces, braises, or cooked preparations.

wine, rosé

Wine, Rosé adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps tomatoes work in drinks, sauces, braises, or cooked preparations.

wine, vermouth

Wine, Vermouth adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps tomatoes work in drinks, sauces, braises, or cooked preparations.

wine, white

Wine, White adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps tomatoes work in drinks, sauces, braises, or cooked preparations.

yogurt

Yogurt adds richness and helps carry tomatoes's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.

zucchini

Zucchini adds complementary vegetable character, giving tomatoes more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.