Tomato Salad With Jalapeño Ranch

Good ranch dressing exists beyond the confines of a bottle and this jadeite green version is here to prove it—it’s bright, bold, and punchy thanks to fresh herbs and spicy green chile. I make it in bulk and keep a batch on hand (stores well covered in the fridge up to four days) to layer under tomatoes, drizzle over grilled meat, or slather onto an ear of corn. While listed as optional (it’s really not in my book!), the MSG adds a savory depth that brings all of the other flavors sharply into focus. —Shilpa Uskokovic