Herbed Garlic Butter

๐Ÿ•’ Prep: 10 min
๐Ÿ”ฅ Cook: 7 min
๐Ÿฝ Serves: 8

Herbed Garlic Butter is the secret weapon every home cook needs. Perfect for elevating any dish with a burst of flavor, this recipe combines the richness of freshly made butter with the aromatic allure of herbs and garlic. Once you've tried it, you'll never go back to store-bought spreads.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Transformative flavor: Fresh herbs and garlic take your butter to new heights.
  • Homemade goodness: Experience the satisfaction of making your own butter.
  • Simple ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your kitchen already.
  • Versatile: Works wonders on bread, vegetables, meats, and more.

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients Explained

Heavy cream is the star of the show here, providing the rich base that will eventually become your butter. You'll need 2 cups to get a good yield. Fresh parsley and chives add a fresh, bright flavor that cuts through the richness of the butter. Garlic, minced to perfection, brings a savory depth. A pinch of sea salt enhances all the flavors, while black pepper adds a hint of heat.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use cold water for rinsing the butter to ensure all buttermilk is removed.
  • For a smoother finish, you can use a food processor instead of a mixer.
  • If youโ€™re short on time, pre-minced garlic can be used, but fresh is always better.

Detailed Instructions

Start by pouring the heavy cream into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream on medium speed. Youโ€™ll first get whipped cream โ€” keep going until the butterfat separates from the buttermilk. This is where the magic happens.

Once separated, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. This is how you'll remove the buttermilk, which you can save for pancakes or baking if you like. Rinse the butter under cold water to wash away any remaining buttermilk, then gently pat it dry with a paper towel.

Return the butter to the mixing bowl. Add in the chopped parsley, chives, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until the herbs and seasoning are well-distributed throughout the butter.

Finally, transfer your herbed garlic butter to a butter dish or mold. Pop it in the refrigerator for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Serve and enjoy!

Simplified Instructions

1. Pour the heavy cream into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until it turns into whipped cream.
2. Continue beating the cream until the butterfat separates from the buttermilk.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove the buttermilk, reserving it if desired for other recipes.
4. Rinse the butter under cold water to remove any remaining buttermilk.
5. Pat the butter dry with a paper towel and place it back in the mixing bowl.
6. Add the chopped parsley, chives, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper to the butter.
7. Mix the herbs and seasoning into the butter until evenly distributed.
8. Transfer the herbed garlic butter to a butter dish or mold and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Spread this herbed garlic butter on warm crusty bread for a heavenly appetizer. It's also fantastic melted over grilled steaks or roasted vegetables. For a breakfast treat, try it on your morning toast or melt it into scrambled eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh herbs are recommended for the best flavor, but you can use dried herbs in a pinch. Use about a third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
How long will this butter last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your herbed garlic butter should last up to two weeks.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, you can freeze the butter for up to three months. Just make sure itโ€™s well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn.

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