As writer and cook Rebecca Orchant points out in this mini homage, buttermilk is "having a moment." Everyone seems to be talking about it, learning about it, and trying to make it. The next step is cooking with it, and that's where Orchant comes in:

Buttermilk is my kitchen's secret weapon. It is the key ingredient in my finally perfected homemade Ranch dressing (MAYBE I will give you the recipe someday, if you are very well-behaved). It makes Buttermilk Pudding Cakes from The Lee Bros. "Simple Fresh Southern" perfectly moist and springy. Fried chicken does not get made without first taking a buttermilk bath. It makes mashed potatoes luxurious and can even improve ice cream. And finally, as we coast into cooler months, I am reminded that it is the secret ingredient in nearly every single one of my favorite soups.

Click here for a collection of buttermilk recipes!