SERVES 8

Warming the ripe tomatoes releases their sweet juices, enhancing their true flavor.

4 cups fresh bread crumbs
1⁄4 cup melted butter or extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Combine bread crumbs, butter (or oil), chives, parsley, thyme leaves, and salt and pepper to taste.

2. Press half the bread crumb mixture into a large baking dish to form a "crust." Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.

3. Remove dish from oven, arrange a layer of tomatoes over bread crumbs, and sprinkle with more bread crumbs. Repeat process until tomatoes are used up, ending with a layer of bread crumbs. Bake until crumbs are golden and tomatoes are warm, about 10 minutes.