American

We used apple juice to sweeten the bread, but this recipe is equally tasty made with orange juice or cranberry juice.

Toss this mix with 2 pounds potatoes before grilling. Once they have finished cooking, sprinkle the potatoes with fresh lime juice, if desired. See page 389 for grilling instructions.

The trick to achieving a good emulsification—suspending the oil in water-based ingredients such as vinegar—is to add the oil toward the end and whisk it in a little bit at a time.

You can store the banana bread, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature up to 4 days.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

Dry rubs add intense flavor to chicken, pork, and beef. Apply the rub at least 1 hour and up to 3 days before cooking.

To make a traditional Bloody Mary cocktail, substitute ripe red tomatoes for the yellow ones.

This cornbread—made slightly sweet with the addition of dark brown sugar—mixes very easily: Just whisk together the dry ingredients; melt the butter and sugar; and whisk in cold milk to cool the liquid. Next, whisk in the eggs, then stir the brown sugar mixture into the cornmeal, scrape the batter into the pan, and bake.

Like the original, our julep features bourbon infused with mint. But this drink’s signature sweetness is tempered by the tartness of blackberries, which also tint it a gorgeous shade of purple. Another twist: Our cocktail is blended with—rather than served over—ice, creating a slushy texture.