Tomatoes - also know as 'love apples' (the French believed they had aphrodisiac powers), are powerful flavour-makers.

Those who love tomatoes also tend to love the intensity of sundried tomatoes. For the un-initated, imagine the entire growing season's warmth and flavour, condenced to a sixth of its volume... pure sunshine in a bite!

Our favourite tomato celebration combines fresh tomatoes, slightly cooked in a pan with olive oil and fresh garlic, mixed with semi-dried tomatoes, dressed with an olive oil and sundried tomato vinaigrette. This vinaigrette includes more garlic, oregano, a touch of ginger, a touch of chili, a little black pepper (just a little is enough — this isn't about the pepper!), and salt.

This mixture of tomato delight is useful as a dressing for fresh pasta (with parmesan and fresh basil), it works a treat on bruschetta with rocket or basil and Peccorino, or as a topping for a fresh Burrata with heaps of fresh basil, a drizzle of fresh pesto and fresh sourdough bread.

There are days when there are ravenous hoards that need feeding - dress a Foccacia with dabs of Sundried Tomato Relish, top with cheese and thin slices of red onion, or smoked sausage or mushrooms - add a little exrta cheese and bake. Fabulous if served warm, but this dish also tolerates standing around a bit - perfect for teen parties.

Add some lively interest to a spinach & feta quiche - roughly chop some semi-dried tomatoes and mix in a small teaspoon of Sundried Tomato Relish and a little olive oil and warm slightly. Add the topping as the quiche as it comes out of the oven and serve immediately.

And then there is the classic roast beef sandwich... roughly chop some marinated sundried tomatoes, mix with a little wholegrain mustard and a small teaspoon of Sundried Tomato Relish. Deeelicious!