Buttermilk

Any heavy cream that's beaten long enough turns into butter, of course. But by incorporating one extra step in the process—culturing the cream with buttermilk or yogurt, essentially turning it into tangy, funky crème fraîche—this recipe reaches a whole new depth of flavor.

Crispy, comforting chicken cutlets are even more irresistible when topped with a punched-up ranch sauce.

The pieces of butter in the batter melt as the hushpuppies fry, making them extra moist and luscious.

The egg-enriched buttermilk mixture makes for an especially crunchy and craggy coating. This recipe is from Buxton Hall, one of Bon Appétit's Hot 10, America's Best New Restaurants 2016.

Cabbage is a green you can keep in the root cellar deep into the winter, and it is often sliced thin and sautéed in butter or bacon grease as a sturdy side for a cold-weather supper. This soup pairs it perfectly with tangy buttermilk and the fragrantly earthy black walnuts that fall in abundance in the autumn.

I have a love of potatoes that is unlike any other love. I grew up eating them often as a kid—almost every day—so now I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate this versatile vegetable into my everyday life. There’s just something so special about biscuits loaded with shredded potatoes, cheddar cheese, and chives. I can’t put it into words, but I feel like I don’t have to because you get it. It’s the baked potato you never knew you wanted . . . in biscuit form.

This classic New Orleans-style shrimp is dipped in buttermilk then coated in cornmeal before frying for a flavorful crunchy exterior.

This spin on the home cooking favorite is a nod to a classic Southern combination: iced tea and cornbread. Here, the tea makes a sweet and shiny glaze and the delicate sweetness of fresh corn kernels balances out the buttery bread. Muffins are perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts, but you could also make it in a cast-iron skillet and serve family style. Beware, your overnight guests may never leave.

Parbaking the crust of this blueberry pancake–flavored custard pie ensures the bottom will be crisp when it’s done.

The Jersey Shore Cookbook author Deborah Smith adapted this recipe for crispy pork-studded pancakes from The Chicken or the Egg, a restaurant in Beach Haven, New Jersey.

This classic Polish soup is the ultimate in summer refreshment.

To take this to a traditional wedge salad place, grill some thick-cut bacon and crumble it over the top.

This version of our delicious vanilla-buttermilk cake is doubled up to make a pretty layer cake perfect for birthdays or any festive occasion.

This tender buttermilk cake with rich orange cream-cheese frosting is sure to become your go-to for any festive occasion.

Buttermilk, baking soda, and seltzer unite to create these extra-fluffy pancakes. Their large size is classic for diners, but you can make them easier to flip by using smaller scoops, if you like.

This easy-to-make, portable cake with chocolate-caramel frosting is sure to be your new go-to for special occasions and backyard barbecues.