How to Make a Flavored Butter Log | Creative Recipes | How to Soften Butter
Flavored butter, also referred to as compound butter, is prepared by blending together various ingredients such as fresh herbs, shallots, minced garlic, chili powder, pepper flakes, grated citrus zest, or an array of spices, fruits, and vegetables. It is commonly used as a condiment, as an addition to sauces, to baste meats and vegetables as they are grilled or broiled, and as a flavored topping for chops, steaks or seafood.
How to Make a Flavored Butter Log
Flavored logs can be made by hand, with a blender, or by using a food processor. The following is a demonstration of how to make a flavored butter log by hand.
Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1-3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder (adjust to taste)
- fresh parsley, adjust to taste
- dried roasted red pepper, to taste (remove red pepper seeds)
Begin with unsalted butter that has been softened. With the heal of your hand, press the stick of butter onto a cutting board.
With a chef's knife, combine the recipe ingredients and butter together until they are completely blended together.
Place the blended butter on a sheet of waxed paper. Fold one edge of the waxed paper over the butter and wrap it under the butter.
Smooth the butter into a log. Once the butter is shaped into a log, roll the log up in the waxed paper.
Seal the butter roll by twisting the ends of the waxed paper in opposite directions.
Chill the butter in the freezer for a minimum of one hour. Once chilled, the butter can be sliced into attractive disks. If using at a later date, wrap the butter log in foil before storing in the freezer.
Butter logs are easy to store and are an attractive addition to any meal. Butter logs will remain fresh for up to one year when stored in the freezer.
Creative Recipe Ideas:
Chili Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4-5 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon pepper sauce
Strawberry Butter
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- fresh strawberries, hulled, halved, to taste
Simply Classic Herb Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- black pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley
- fresh tarragon
- fresh thyme
Lemon and Dill Butter
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons grated lemon zest
- Dill weed, to taste
How to Soften Butter:
The best way to soften butter or margarine is to remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to become room temperature. To speed up this process, cut it into tablespoon size slices and place on a plate or in a bowl to soften.
Butter or margarine is softened properly if it gives slightly when pressed but does not crack or separate.
You can also check softness by bending a stick of butter or margarine. It should give slightly without cracking.
