Herbed Compound Butter
This herbed compound butter is seasoned with fresh herbs, lemon, and shallots. It is one of the most versatile condiments to keep on hand to up your cooking game. Store it in the freezer, then slice it whenever you want to add herby richness to a dish.
Compound butter is commonly used in the French cooking technique, especially for creating sauces. The original French masters would bring butter to room temperature, add finely chopped herbs, roll the mixture tightly with paper, and then store it at a cold temperature for gourmet meals at a slice.
What Is Compound Butter?
Compound butter, or finishing butter, is real butter mixed with herbs, spices, and other fresh ingredients. You can create compounds that are both sweet and savory. Form the mixture into a log and wrap it in an air-tight seal. Toss it into the freezer and deliver gourmet-tasting meals any day of the week by simply slicing it as needed.
There are endless uses for compound butter. Garnish grilled steaks with a dollop of savory garlic-herbed butter. Elevate your traditional Mac ‘n Cheese with deep flavors. Drop a pat of shallot and thyme butter onto your baked potato. Spread sweet maple compound butter on freshly baked cornbread. Use your imagination and favorite ingredients and quickly level up your meals!
Herbed Compound Butter
Ingredients
- 1 stisck unsalted butter ½ cup softened
- 1 tablespoon shallot grated on a Microplane or minced
- 1 tablespoon thyme fresh chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt fine grain - more to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, mash together all of the ingredients.1 stisck unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon shallot, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Spoon the butter onto a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, form into a log and wrap well. Chill for at least 3 hours before using.
Notes
Nutrition
De Froid Tip: Condiments
Condiments make everything better. Top your chicken breast with herbed compound butter. Serve your French fries with tangy ketchup or mix it up and serve them with ranch sauce. This smoked and braised short rib sandwich is brought to a new level with horseradish mayonnaise!
When experimenting with different condiments, it’s important to consider the flavors and textures they bring to the dish and how they complement the other ingredients. With creativity, you can elevate your cooking and add new dimensions of flavor to your meals.
Take an extra minute and look through your refrigerator and pantry. Pick a condiment that will turn a good bite into something outstanding!
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