Juneteenth

Vodka in the dough hydrates the flour without developing gluten, which makes for an especially pliable dough and tender crust.

Don’t call this compote jam, but it would be quite fine on toast.

You’ll need seven to eight limes to make all that juice.

Green mangoes would be ideal, but slightly unripe mangoes are an imperfect but successful substitute.

Classic jerk chicken is grilled over pimento wood. If you don't happen to own any, hardwood or briquettes will have to do.

If you opt for canned instead of dried beans in this recipe, they won’t be quite as creamy, but you’ll save yourself some time.

These biscuits are more sturdy than flaky, which means they won’t crumble on the way to your mouth.

The pieces of butter in the batter melt as the hushpuppies fry, making them extra moist and luscious. This recipe is from Buxton Hall, one of the Hot 10, America's Best New Restaurants 2016.

This shellfish boil is a one-pot seafood feast that would take hours on a regular stovetop burner.

A tart drinking vinegar that can be made with whatever berries you have on hand. Use for spritzers, cocktails, even ice cream floats.

Waste not, watermelon lovers: This Southern pickle deserves a spot in your fridge. It's great alongside grilled pork chops, but we'd happily snack on it right out of the jar.

If you don't have a bunch bowl, use a big glass vase--it's nice and tall and doesn't take up too much space on your table.

We love the way this recipe revamps a standard BLT.

Putting fatback in the frying oil adds flavor, but we find it's a bit too salty to eat on its own.

In this classic coconut layer cake, coconut makes an appearance three different ways.

This easy recipe for Southern fried chicken is the only one you'll ever need. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

If it's wrong to put American cheese in your Southern mac and cheese recipe, we don't want to be right.

This shrimp boil recipe uses lots of spices—but don't worry; you probably already have most in your pantry.