Boost Flavor using Herb Butter
Often I boost flavor in dishes by using a dollop of herb butter. The dishes that I consistently seem to use herb butter are meats, pastas, soups, and stews. Adding butter with herbs to a dish can actually cut the spice if you have been overzealous with your spices.
So how do you make this luscious seasoned butter? Basically, all you have to do to is add your favorite minced herbs, shallots, and garlic to softened butter. You can refrigerate or freeze the herb mixture as a “log” of herb butter. Then you can thaw slightly whenever you need to slice off a piece to enrich the flavor of the dish of your choice.
In my fish dishes, I enjoy dill or cilantro as well as parsley for the herb. In my stews, I usually stick to parsley along with the shallots and garlic.
In choosing your herbs, keep in mind that they can add powerful nutrition to a dish as well as flavor. For example, parsley is not just a pretty green garnish–it is also incredibly high in vitamin K and vitamin C! And garlic has been extensively studied as a food that is potentially protective against disease. It boosts immunity and may even improve cardiovascular health.
Give this herb butter a try and let me know your favorite recipes.
Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter
- 1/4 cup chopped herbs your choice (parsley for the mildest flavor)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the butter, herbs, lemon juice, and salt together. Place herb butter on top of plastic wrap and roll into a log. Place in refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. When ready to use, thaw slightly, slice, and place on your food of choice!