Compound butters are a way to easily enhance whatever you are cooking.  Compound butters are butters that are blended with fresh herbs, spices, fruits, and so much more.  You can use compound butters to have with warm biscuits fresh out of the oven, or to top a steak with with it comes off the flame.  Many restaurants use compound butters to add a special touch to what they are make.  We will show you how to make compound butters and how you can use them in your everyday cooking.

Compound butters are made in similar ways they are made with butter, that you let soften to room temperature.  It is best to use unsalted butter when making a compound butter so you can adjust the flavors you desire.  Using unsalted butter means you can control the amount of salt if you desire, but it also means that you can control the flavors yourself.  You can add in fresh herbs, spices, and anything else that you desire.  Once the butter and flavors are combined you can mold the compound butters in the way you desire.  You may want to roll the butter into logs so you can slice off what you need.  You could also put the butter in a nice butter mold, or even put it into a plain container and then use a butter curler to shave off pretty designs. 

Garlic Compound Butter

You can make a compound butter that goes well on bread, or bread that is toasted in the oven, garlic butter is also an excellent way to top off a steak.

1/4 lb. unsalted butter

2 cloves of garlic minced fine

2 tsp. parsley minced fine

1/4 tsp. salt

Allow the butter to soften to room temperature and then combine the remaining ingredients.  Chill the mixture for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator, and then place on waxed paper and then make into a log.  Refrigerate log, and slice as desired. 

Cilantro Lime Butter

This is my favorite butter to use on corn when I grill corn. 

1/4 lb. unsalted butter

2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

1 Tbsp. minced cilantro

Allow the butter to soften to room temperature and then combine the lime juice, and cilantro.  You may want to add a small amount of lime zest if you desire.  If you like heat, you may want to add a small amount Cayenne pepper.  To use this on corn, I first soak the corn in water for about 30 minutes and then get the grill good and hot.  I then shuck and clean the corn, and then open up the husks (do not remove them), and then coat the corn kernels with this butter.  Close the husks and grill until the corn is tender. 

You can see that it is easy to make compound butters, and you can use these in a variety of ways.  These can be used on steaks, warm bread, vegetables, and so much more.  The key thing is to start with unsalted butter.  One tip that I always try to use, is right before I make any compound butters I like to purchase the unsalted butter at the store a day or two before I make it so it doesn’t pick up any flavors in the refrigerator.  You can add in most anything you like.  You may want to add in cinnamon and sugar for breakfast to enjoy on toast or even pancakes.   Try your hand at making compound butters, you are only limited by your imagination.

It isn’t a secret how to make these anymore.  Try out some of our copykat versions of these restaurant classics.
North Woods Cheese Spread
Original Pasta Company Garlic Spread

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