If your food tastes a little bland, you can add flavor instantly with a bit of garlic butter. Many shy away from eating butter because of its bad cholesterol reputation. However, butter does have its qualities and when used moderately, can liven up your dishes. Learn how to make and use garlic butter in a way that is healthy and beneficial.
What is Garlic Butter Made of?
The recipe of garlic butter is simple and straightforward. It contains butter and garlic crushed and blended into a flavorful paste. Many cooks prefer to use unsalted butter to make garlic butter. Unsalted butter absorbs the flavor of garlic better and reacts well to herbs and spices like parsley and pepper. You can also add fresh peanuts to give garlic butter a nutty twist.
What is Garlic Butter Used For?
A lot of people like using garlic butter for cooking. Instead of melting butter and sautéing garlic separately, you can have both ingredients readily available. Another way to use garlic butter is to melt it and pour it over salads, meats and seafood dishes like scampi as a dressing. Garlic butter also makes a delicious bread spread, especially for Italian and French breads.
What is Garlic Butter’s Nutritional Value?
As soon as butter is mentioned, many people tend to think about bad, heart-clogging cholesterol. Although it is true that butter has saturated fats, it has its benefits too. Garlic butter contains a good amount of vitamins A, E and K. It also has healthy fatty acids that can destroy bad bacteria. Studies show that garlic butter is actually healthier than margarine.
What is Garlic Butter’s Effect on Your Health?
When eaten in moderation, garlic butter can have a few health benefits. The vitamins in butter, especially vitamin K, can prevent a range of diseases. Combined with an adequate calcium intake, vitamin K can strengthen and support your bones. Garlic butter is also one of the few food sources of Butyrate, a fatty acid that helps you feel full. When it comes to butter, moderation is key. Too much can raise your cholesterol and put you at risk of heart disease.
How to Make Garlic Butter
Fortunately, garlic butter can be easily made at home. All you need is:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic (use more or less according to your taste)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (option)
Step 1:
Place butter in a bowl in a warm part of your kitchen to soften. Do not heat. Once soft, throw it in a blender/food processor for a smoother consistency.
Step 2:
Add garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. Combine thoroughly.
Step 3:
Pour into a bowl and cover tightly with cling wrap. Refrigerate until set.
Garlic butter is a tasty addition to any meal. It gives foods a creamy, rich texture and also offers essential nutrients. Whether you use it as dressing or a spread, its strong flavor can complement any dish.
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