At Red Star Tavern, a modern American restaurant in Portland, Ore., chef Dolan Lane breathes new life into two summer staples—gazpacho and burrata with heirloom tomatoes—by merging them and adding a few tweaks.

Fresh purées can wow even the most discerning palates. Fruit purées, zests and blends help chefs add precisely the right flavor to a curried ginger peach sauce, instantly transforming Moroccan chicken brochettes into a menu best-seller.