TIPS for making garlic rosemary compound butter

  1. Choose a good-quality butter, preferably a grass-fed butter for the best flavour and health benefits. Make sure that it is unsalted so that you can have the option of how much or how little salt you want/need to add to the herb butter. Make sure that you let the butter soften well at room temperature before mixing as this makes the process easier and more successful. 2. While you can use raw minced garlic for this recipe, I find that roasted garlic removed the potential harshness of raw garlic and adds a deeper sweeter garlic flavour. Finely mince fresh rosemary leaves and roasted garlic cloves to get the most flavour into the compound butter and to ensure that it is in a form that can distribute easily and evenly through the creamy whipped butter. 3. Use equal parts rosemary and garlic to achieve the perfect balance of flavours in your finished product. But you may also want to vary the proportions of rosemary to garlic depending on your preferences. While I feel that fresh is best, you can also use dried rosemary instead of fresh rosemary in this recipe. Just substitute 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary for the 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary. 4. The acidic note of the lemon juice and the hint of sweetness from the agave enhance the other flavours and balance them well. You can omit these if you prefer. I have, on occasion, also added a splash or two of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper umami taste note. 5. Keep the leftover roasted garlic in a container in the fridge and use it in other cooking like pasta, sauces, salads and stir-fries. Or use all the roasted garlic to make a big batch of garlic compound butter, maybe with different herbs, to store in convenient sizes in the freezer to be available to elevate your dishes with ease.  

Getting creative with rosemary garlic compound butter

 

Mixing in different herbs

You can add other herbs such as parsley, oregano or sage to the butter mixture for a unique mixed-herb flavour combo.

Adding spices

For some heat, try adding chilli powder/flakes, paprika or cayenne pepper to the butter.

Use roasted or raw garlic

Use roasted garlic for a more mellow flavour and raw garlic for more of a punchy taste.

Adjusting quantities of ingredients

Experiment with using less rosemary or different amounts until you find your perfect level of garlicky goodness!

Browning the butter before mixing it with other ingredients

Yes, this will add an extra step to the recipe, but it can deliver surprising results. You will need to add the butter to a pan and let it melt over medium heat. Keep moving the butter, then just as it starts to turn brown remove it from the heat. Let this cool at room temperature and maybe even for a brief time in the fridge until it can be whipped up into a creamy consistency. (you could also stand a bowl in another bowl filled with ice cubes and whip the butter until the desired consistency is achieved. This brown butter improves its flavour by giving it nutty and caramelized notes that will make your compound butter stand out even more!

Infusing flavours like lemon zest into the mix

This gives an extra citrusy note that pairs nicely with rosemary and garlic’s earthiness and brings a freshness to the finished product.  

A few suggestions about how to enjoy this rosemary garlic compound butter

 

• Add a slice to a hot steak or burger for a savoury and slightly sweet flavour.

• Use as softened butter slices for warm bread, rolls, and crackers. It is just asking to be the key ingredient in your homemade garlic bread. Just add some cheese, and melt with deliciousness.

• Mix into mashed potatoes, steamed or sautéed vegetables, or pasta for an extra burst of flavour.

• Melt over roasted root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Add slices to boiled new potatoes, to enjoy as a side dish or to make into a superior potato salad.

• Add a slice or two to a sauce for an instant upgrade and richness. Or use it instead of plain butter in a sandwich or to fry eggs.

• Finish steamed seafood like salmon, shrimp or lobster with s slice of this butter for an elevated dining experience.