Our Most Popular Recipes in June

June went by quicker than expected, but that doesn’t mean we have to forget about all the good food it brought us. With more hot weather approaching, it’s time to cool off with some drinks and fill up on summer comforts. Finish the night with a frosty coconut cocktail or impress your friends with marinated crab claws. Enjoy our most popular recipes in June whichever way you like, just make sure to savor them!

Ten of Summer’s Most Popular Recipes

The Gamechanger

This rum and coconut cocktail really is a gamechanger! Brought to us by Home Team BBQ in Charleston, its tropical flavor and smooth consistency has made it a favorite amongst TLP readers for years. Enjoy all year around, though it’s no doubt most refreshing on a hot summer day.

Tomato Aspic

Put gelatin to good use with this tomato aspic from Bill Bowick and David Bouffard of Sugar Bakeshop, perfect for any event and sure to be a crowd pleaser. Prepare a day early and refrigerate overnight so these are ready to go when the time comes.

Batter-Fried Hardshell Blue Crab

Beer is your secret ingredient to create a crisp, airy batter for eat-em-whole blue crabs. Deep fry them and pair with a homemade dipping sauce that combines mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, paprika, and yellow mustard. You can thank chef Frank Lee for these!

Ultimate Coconut Cake

This ten-layer coconut cake is sure to make an impression on friends and family. It’s definitely a baking project worth spending a day preparing, complete with a creamy filling, sweet frosting, coconut crème anglaise, and simple syrup. Garnish the cake with sliced strawberries for a summer dessert worth raving about!

The Commonwealth

Take your cocktail game to the next level with this peppercorn-infused drink. The two-hour steep time will be well worth it, and using sorghum adds to its intensity. Finish the cocktail by adding Ale-8-One, bourbon, and a pinch of salt. Use a highball glass and lemon peel for maximum effect.

Mason Hereford’s Collard Melt

This cheesy melt from Turkey & the Wolf (Penguin Random House, 2022) makes for the perfect lunch. Grab your greens and cheese to prepare the sandwich. The coleslaw will put you to work so be patient! You’ll love the spicy russian dressing. Cover slices of toasted rye bread with the goods and enjoy.

Skillet Chicken

Our crispy chicken is about to become your new favorite dinner! The garlic, thyme, and rosemary sprigs give it a sensational flavor. Don’t forget add-ons like rice or mashed potatoes to round out the meal. Only a few ingredients and less than an hour of preparation time stand between you and this meal.

Roasted Garlic, Basil, and Shitake Mushroom Pizza

Step up your usual pizza with a favorite here at TLP. Olive oil and the three cheeses are musts on top of this homemade dough. We can thank West Virginia’s acclaimed pizza territory for this popular recipe.

Red Snapper Crudo

Luxurious dining isn’t necessarily indulgent. Prepare the crudo base in advance so it can chill. Garnish with avocado, spring onion, oregano, and flaky salt for a refined finish.

Marinated Louisiana Crab Claws

This one-step recipe seems too good to be true. Combine cooked Louisiana crab claws (or whatever is fresh from your local fish counter or market) with lemon, shallot, parsley, and more for the ultimate taste. Pair with vegetables, potatoes, or cornbread. You won’t forget this one by Melissa Martin.