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Thursday, September 17, 2009

How to Make Flavored Compound Butter

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✍ COMPOUND BUTTER COMBOS

Compound butters. Or as Chef Anne Burrell - Executive Chef at New York's Centro Vinoteca, and sous chef to Mario Batali when battling in the Iron Chef Kitchen Stadium - would say, "butter with stuff."  I just love her ... don't you?

Start with about 1/2 cup of real, pure butter, soften it to room temperature, and then stir in some goodies. Smear that over your cooked corn on the cob and dig in. It's heaven, I tell ya! Flavored butters are also excellent when topped over a steak, chicken and fish, right before serving, or even used as a spread for toasted bread.

For a more uniform presentation, you can also spoon the butter mixture into a piece of plastic wrap, or parchment, and roll it into a tight, log shape. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to harden before using. Cut slices.

If using the butter right away, keep at room temperature. If not using until later, store in fridge and bring to room temperature about 30 minutes before using. Can also roll up cookie roll style and refrigerate to slice. Freeze leftovers.

Herbs listed are given in dried measurements, but absolutely use fresh herbs when you have them.  See my guide to substituting dried/fresh herbs for each other.

Start with 1/2 cup of butter, I prefer unsalted, softened at room temperature, and add one of the following combinations. If you use regular salted butter, omit or reduce the salt sources, such as Cajun seasoning. Either way you should give it a taste. You can also double all of these and make a half pound roll.

➵Bacon Butter Compound Butter - Awesome on buttermilk biscuits, cornmeal muffins and cornbread!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
6 slices of applewood bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Pinch kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper


➵Cajun Blend Compound Butter - Great for seafood, burgers and steaks

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon of Slap Ya Mama, or your favorite
   Cajun/Creole seasoning
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
Pinch of kosher salt


➵Bleu Cheese Compound Butter - Yummy on steaks, burgers & veggies

1/2 cup of strong Roquefort or Stilton Bleu cheese,
   crumbled (for milder flavor, try Gorgonzola instead)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
6 turns of the pepper grinder


➵Dilly Lemon Thyme Compound Butter - Perfect for fish & veggies

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
The zest of 2 lemons
1/2 bunch dill, finely chopped
1/2 bunch lemon thyme, stripped and finely chopped
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
Pinch of kosher salt


➵Cheesy Lime Compound Butter - Excellent on corn

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Zest of one lime
2 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or a mild feta


➵BBQ Compound Butter - great on steaks & burgers too!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
1/4 of a sweet Vidalia onion, finely minced
2 teaspoons of chopped parsley
1 clove of garlic, finely minced


➵Herbed Compound Butter - great all purpose for just about anything.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of fresh chives, snipped fine
1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sage, chopped
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, chopped


➵Hotel Butter - great all purpose blend (My favorite!)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest
Juice of half a lemon
Pinch of kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


➵Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Compound Butter - great all purpose for pork and meat.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon sage, chopped
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
1/2 teaspoon of Slap Ya Mama, or your favorite
   Cajun/Creole seasoning
Pinch of kosher salt


➵Fall Harvest Compound Butter - great for pumpkin and sweet potato bread

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of kosher salt


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Disclosure: Video is for demonstration purposes only. I have no affiliation with Foodell.com
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