Herbed Compound Butter

The Versatility of Compound Butter with Herbs

Compound butter is a simple yet flavorful way to elevate any dish, and when combined with fresh herbs, it adds a whole new dimension of taste. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to experiment in the kitchen, mastering the art of making compound butter with herbs is a game-changer.

What is Compound Butter?

Compound butter is a mixture of butter and various ingredients like herbs, spices, citrus zest, garlic, or even cheese. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to customize the butter to complement the dish you're preparing.

Creating Herb-infused Compound Butter

To make herb-infused compound butter, start by softening unsalted butter at room temperature. Then, finely chop your choice of fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, chives, tarragon, or thyme. Mix the herbs into the butter along with a pinch of salt and any other desired ingredients like garlic or lemon zest.

Ways to Use Herb-infused Compound Butter

Herb-infused compound butter can be used in a variety of ways:

• Spread it on freshly baked bread or rolls.

• Top a grilled steak or seafood with a pat of herb butter.

• Melt it over hot vegetables like steamed asparagus or roasted potatoes.

• Add a dollop to a bowl of pasta for a burst of flavor.

Storing Herb-infused Compound Butter

Once you've made your herb-infused compound butter, you can store it in the refrigerator for several weeks or freeze it for longer periods. To preserve the flavors, wrap the butter in parchment paper or plastic wrap and shape it into a log for easy slicing. Or if you prefer, you can smooth it into a small dish with a sealed lid.

Experiment and Have Fun!

Don't be afraid to experiment with different herb combinations and ingredients to create your own signature compound butter. Whether you're cooking a simple weeknight meal or hosting a dinner party, herb-infused compound butter is sure to impress your guests and take your dishes to the next level.

So, next time you're in the kitchen, try making a batch of herb-infused compound butter and watch as it transforms your cooking into something truly special.

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Herbed Compound Butter Recipe

When making this recipe, I recommend using Kerrygold butter because of its exceptional quality. It's important to have the butter softened rather than melted. Kerrygold butter quickly softens at room temperature, eliminating the need to use a microwave, which could cause it to melt. If you don't have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter instead, just remember to skip the garlic salt and use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute.

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

• 1 tsp dried rosemary

• 1 tsp garlic salt (omit if using salted butter and replace with 1 tsp garlic powder)

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients until well blended. I like to use a fork for this. Shape into a log or spoon into a bowl with a sealed lid and store in the refrigerator.