The Amazing World of Brown Butter

   Brown butter is also known as hazelnut butter because of the nutty aroma, flavor, and color that the butter turns after the milk solids have been toasted and any water has evaporated. The best thing about brown butter is the diversity it has. Traditionally it is served over fish or vegetables and some times used in pastry dishes but the possibilities are endless. Simply use brown butter in place of regular butter in almost any recipe.


How to:
Place butter in sauce pan over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.

The butter will begin to boil and making a crackling noise, this is normal. Once the crackling stops you need to keep a watchful eye on the butter because it is almost done. When you are able to smell a wonderful nutty aroma and can begin to see brown flecks on the top of the foam, stir, remove from heat, and pour into a heat safe bowl.

 If you will be using this for pasta, veggies, fish, or anything else requiring melted butter then you are done. If you want to use this in a baking recipe for cookies or frosting you need to refrigerate it for about an hour until it is the consistency of softened butter. Don't worry if you leave it in the refrigerator for too long it will never be as hard as regular butter again.