Tuesday, March 15, 2011

butter me up

This week is huge..
Two of my best friends on the planet are arriving in LA.  One all the way from Australia and the other from Savannah.  This next month is going to be filled with adventures, live music, road trips, loud/obnoxious gut busting laugher, lots of alcohol, food truck chasing and of course wine {I'm Australian and therefore make no apologies for doubling up on the upcoming alcohol and wine indulgence}. I feel like there's a massive space in my chest that's going to explode from all of the impending love and excitement.  With all the devastation that's been happening world wide over the past few months, all I want to do is surround myself with the people that I love the most and this week I get a little taste of that.
So in keeping with the idea of surrounding myself with simple pure love, of course todays post is about butter. duh.
Here's a simple trick I use in my baking and cooking recipes just to up the flavor notch a little, or rather a whole lot. Make sure that if you try to incorporate this into your baking that the recipe calls for melted butter. If there's any whipping involved, the recipe won't work out.
I mean butter is wonderful on its own, but there's something extraordinary that happens to it after this process. All of a sudden it becomes a little nutty and far far more interesting. Which is kind of how I feel when I'm surrounded by these two beauties; a little nutty, and far far more interesting!

Thank GOD for girlfriends......girlfriends and browned butter.
Browned Butter
Heat your desired amount of butter {salted or unsalted} in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Wait until butter has melted completely and then keep and eye on it as this browning process will happen quite quickly.  You'll see that the butter becomes a little speckled and has separated.  Wait until the flecks are a deep golden brown and then transfer butter to a separate bowl to immediately stop the cooking process. The solids can burn quite easily.

lots of chirpy love,
xx t 

p.s. I hope that you're surrounding yourselves with love and surrounding Japan with love and support too. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

25 comments:

  1. "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." - I love that!!

    Have a super time with your friends - sounds like a blast! Lots of laughs! :D

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  2. How wonderful for you Tash...can't wait to hear the stories of the adventures you'll have! I've bookmarked this, great tip. Yes butter and girlfriends, agree!
    Cupcake
    (I love your new pic) xo

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  3. Mmm, butter. And browned butter is even better! So glad your girlfriends are coming to visit, and I can't wait to hear all about your wonderful times together!

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  4. Yay for butter... and working out! Balance, right? : ) I'll be in LA in 9 days! Woot woot!

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  5. I am all for butter!
    and I love making my shortbread with melted butter, it makes them have a bit more texture.
    You have fun with the girls this week!!
    xx
    callie

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  6. you are a great friend to feed them so well, have a great month with them!!!

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  7. aww i'm so jealous, you guys will have a blast, i want to come!!

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  8. Hell yeah, browned butter! Ever tried it drizzled over popcorn (cooked on stovetop not microwave) with cinnamon and honey? You might wanna.

    Have a wonderful time with your girlfriends. There's nothing better!

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  9. I love butter! This-is-so-cool!! Glad I stopped by :) Give those girls big hugs, I cherish every moment with mine! XO, Kelly

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  10. Yummy! I love love love butter! I just wish it was better for us! :)

    http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

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  11. It's so true that a little butter makes everything better. :) And it's so true that everyone can do something, and joining together to help our fellow humans is something we all should strive for.

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  12. Oh my goodness. I LOVE butter (who doesn't?). I might even go as far to call myself a butter snob - I don't want any chemical, over-processed, fake margarine nonsense. I want the real cream good stuff slathered on a piece of freshly baked bread.

    I'm getting hungry.

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  13. How lovely for you - that your friends are coming to visit. And what a great coping mechanism - to spend precious and entertaining time with.
    O, I LOVE browned butter - in everything - hazelnut brown butter cake, financiers, green tea tarts, and even chocolate chip cookies. Seriously delectable stuff!

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  14. Butterrrr! LOVE IT girl!! Have fun with your friends!

    xo Mandy

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  15. I've never tried this, but it sounds AMAZING!
    Thanks for the how-to!
    xo

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  16. Have a wonderful time with your friends! Everything is better with butter....everything but my waste!

    take pics of your adventures and fun!

    kathleen xx

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  17. Mmm butter. I like to pretend I'm Paula Deen's granddaughter as she loves her butter and false eyelashes as much as I do. Have a fantastic visit with your friends! I'll be making my first visit to LA next month, so much I want to see and do! Enjoy!

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  18. Yum butter! Have an amazing time with your friends :)

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  19. what an awesome post. then again you had me at "butter". have fun with your friends :)

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  20. If this can substitute for the two bricks of butter that I normally forget to put at room temperature, I'll forever be indebted to you.

    Enjoy your time with loved ones.. that's what it's all about!

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  21. Hope you had {or are still having} a fabulous time! There's nothing like being with good friends!

    xo Mary Jo

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  22. brown butter is fantastic -- ghee (clarified butter used widely in indian food) is another option that has its own flavor... xo bb

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  23. You make even butter look great!
    I am passing on the Sylish Blogger Award to you! If you have time please copy/paste this link and follow the instructions:
    http://robynsafricanadventures.blogspot.com/2011/03/stylish-blogger-award.html
    Thanks! :))

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  24. Love you for posting this! Mmmm...butter!

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  25. Loved this post. And yum, I want to cook with REAL butter after reading it. Nothing like it eh?

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