Seasoned and Flavored Butters

TL;DR

• Compound butter is a versatile blend of softened butter and various ingredients that can elevate dishes from mundane to magnificent.
• The ideal temperature for making compound butter is room temperature, soft enough to blend easily but still holding its shape.
• Savory herb and spice butters can enhance a wide range of dishes, from steaks to vegetables, and can be used for basting, finishing, or creating quick sauces.
• Sweet fruit and honey butters are excellent for baking applications and as spreads, adding unique flavors to both sweet and savory dishes.
• Proper shaping and storage of compound butters ensure they’re always ready for use, with refrigeration lasting up to a week and freezing extending shelf life to three months.

Introduction

Butter, that humble kitchen staple, has undergone a delicious transformation. No longer content to play a supporting role, seasoned and flavored butters have taken center stage in kitchens worldwide. These culinary chameleons effortlessly elevate dishes from mundane to magnificent.

Ever wondered how to make a steak sing or transform a simple slice of bread into a gourmet experience? The secret lies in the world of compound butters. Let’s dive into this flavorful realm and discover how a simple pat of butter can revolutionize your cooking.

What is Compound Butter?

Compound butter is butter’s sophisticated cousin. It’s a blend of softened butter and various ingredients, resulting in a flavor-packed spread that can be used in countless ways. Think of it as a flavor bomb, ready to detonate at a moment’s notice.

Chefs have long relied on compound butters to add depth and complexity to their dishes. Now, home cooks are catching on, realizing that this simple technique can transform their culinary creations with minimal effort.

Making Flavored Butters

Ideal Butter Temperature

The key to perfect compound butter lies in its temperature. Too cold, and you’ll be wrestling with a stubborn block. Too warm, and you’ll end up with a greasy mess.

Aim for room temperature butter – soft enough to blend easily, but still holding its shape. Leave it out for about 30 minutes before you begin. If you can easily leave an indentation with your finger, you’re good to go.

Blending Ingredients

Now comes the fun part – mixing in your chosen flavors. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination and taste buds.

For savory butters, finely chop herbs, garlic, or shallots. Spices should be ground or toasted for maximum flavor. Sweet variations might include honey, maple syrup, or finely chopped dried fruit.

Blend your ingredients into the softened butter using a fork or spatula. Mix thoroughly, ensuring even distribution. For a super-smooth texture, use a food processor or stand mixer.

Shaping and Storing

Once blended, it’s time to shape your butter for easy use and storage. Here are some popular methods:

1. Roll into a log using parchment paper
2. Press into silicone molds for fun shapes
3. Scoop into small ramekins

Wrap your shaped butter tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months. Slice off what you need as you go – instant flavor at your fingertips!

Versatile Uses of Butters

Enhancing Dishes

Compound butters are culinary magicians, capable of transforming even the simplest dishes. A pat of herb butter melting over a grilled steak creates an instant sauce. Citrus butter brings zing to steamed vegetables. Garlic butter elevates a humble baked potato to new heights.

The beauty lies in their versatility. The same butter that flavors your morning toast can later be tossed with pasta for a quick and delicious dinner.

Sauces and Gravies

Forget about complicated reductions or time-consuming roux. Compound butters can create instant sauces with minimal effort.

Whisk a slice of tarragon butter into pan juices for a quick béarnaise-style sauce. Melt anchovy butter over roasted vegetables for a savory kick. The residual heat does all the work, melting the butter and releasing its flavors.

Culinary Applications

The applications of flavored butters extend far beyond the obvious. Here are some creative ways to use them:

• Stuff under poultry skin before roasting
• Melt over grilled corn on the cob
• Stir into risotto for added richness
• Use as a base for compound butter sauces
• Spread on sandwiches for gourmet flair

Savory Herb and Spice Butters

Infusing Flavors

Creating savory compound butters is like painting with flavors. Fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and pungent alliums all play their part in this culinary canvas.

For herb butters, use fresh herbs whenever possible. Their vibrant flavors shine through beautifully. Chop them finely and mix thoroughly into the softened butter.

Spices benefit from a light toasting before being incorporated. This awakens their essential oils, intensifying their flavor and aroma.

Flavor Combinations

The world of savory compound butters is vast and varied. Here are some classic combinations to get you started:

• Garlic and parsley butter (perfect for garlic bread)
• Rosemary and lemon zest butter (great with roast chicken)
• Chili and lime butter (ideal for grilled corn)
• Anchovy and caper butter (delicious on steak)
• Sage and brown butter (heavenly with pasta)

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Your next favorite flavor combination might be just a mix away!

Cooking Applications

Savory compound butters shine in a variety of cooking applications. They’re not just for finishing dishes – they can play a starring role throughout the cooking process.

Baste a roasting chicken with herb butter for crispy, flavorful skin. Melt chili butter over grilled fish for a spicy kick. Toss hot vegetables with anchovy butter for a umami-rich side dish.

Remember, a little goes a long way. Start with a small amount and add more if needed. The concentrated flavors mean you can use less butter overall, making for lighter, yet still delicious, meals.

Sweet Fruit and Honey Butters

Types of Fruit Butters

Fruit butters bring a touch of sweetness to the compound butter world. Unlike their savory counterparts, these often involve cooking down fruits to concentrate their flavors.

Apple butter, a fall favorite, is made by slowly cooking apples with spices until thick and spreadable. Berry butters capture the essence of summer, while citrus butters add a bright note to winter meals.

Some fruit butters incorporate dried fruits, creating intense flavor bombs. Think figs, dates, or apricots, finely chopped and mixed into creamy butter.

Baking and Spreads

Sweet compound butters are a baker’s secret weapon. They add layers of flavor to baked goods with minimal effort.

Spread cinnamon-raisin butter between layers of yeasted dough for swirled breakfast bread. Use orange-honey butter as a filling for croissants. Lavender butter makes for uniquely flavored shortbread cookies.

Beyond baking, these butters make excellent spreads. Imagine starting your day with toast slathered in homemade strawberry butter. Or serving warm scones with a dollop of lemon-thyme butter. Breakfast will never be the same!

Honey Butter Uses

Honey butter is the chameleon of sweet compound butters. Its uses span from breakfast to dessert and everything in between.

Drizzle it over warm cornbread or biscuits. Use it to baste roasted sweet potatoes for a caramelized finish. Spread it on pancakes or waffles for a decadent brunch treat.

For a sophisticated dessert, try honey-lavender butter over grilled peaches. Or melt it over warm gingerbread for a comforting winter dessert.

DIY Flavored Butter Tips

Choosing Butter

The foundation of great compound butter is, unsurprisingly, great butter. Opt for high-quality, unsalted butter. This allows you to control the salt content and lets the added flavors shine.

European-style butters, with their higher fat content, create an extra-rich result. However, any good-quality butter will work well.

Infusing Methods

There are several methods for infusing flavors into butter:

1. Direct mixing: Simply mix chopped ingredients into softened butter.
2. Steeping: Heat butter gently with aromatics, then strain and chill.
3. Blending: Use a food processor for ultra-smooth, evenly distributed flavors.

For delicate flavors like herbs, direct mixing works well. Stronger flavors like garlic benefit from the steeping method, which mellows their harsh edges.

Shaping and Storing

Proper shaping and storage ensure your compound butters are always ready for action. Here are some pro tips:

• Use a piece of plastic wrap to shape butter into a log. Twist the ends to secure.
• For perfectly round slices, chill the log, then use unflavored dental floss to cut.
• Label your butters with the flavor and date made.
• If freezing, slice the log first for easy portioning later.

With these tips, you’ll always have a flavor boost at your fingertips!

Conclusion

Seasoned and flavored butters are more than just a culinary trend – they’re a gateway to effortless gourmet cooking. From elevating a simple steak to transforming your morning toast, these versatile flavor enhancers prove that sometimes, the simplest techniques yield the most delicious results.

So go ahead, unleash your creativity in the kitchen. With compound butters in your culinary arsenal, you’re always just a pat away from flavor perfection.