Basil Butter

Why is it that every time you buy basil you have to buy an entire plant’s worth???  I always have at least half of my basil go to waste…but not anymore!  I have the perfect recipe for any of that leftover basil you have.  It’s my Basil Butter.  You can put it on anything that you would use regular butter for and it adds nice brightness and color. 

Remember that the best way to store basil is in a vase on the counter with water (like fresh cut flowers).  I think it lasts longer this way than wrapping it up with paper towel and a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  Plus, it adds a little décor to the kitchen.  How can you go wrong? 

Basil Butter

Ingredients:

½ c unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

6 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil leaves

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 small garlic clove, minced

In the bowl of a mini food processor, combine the butter, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Pulse until combined.

Use immediately as a spread or use plastic wrap to shape basil butter into a log. Refrigerate until very firm. 

I use this basil butter on a lot of different things but my favorite is on rolls.  It just takes bread and butter to another level!  This time, I added some of the basil butter to cooked orzo with Parmesan.  It was a great accompaniment to stuffed chicken breasts I got from Trader Joes.  (The chicken breasts are stuffed with ricotta and baked with marinara on top…yum-O!)  The next thing I plan to do is to bake salmon with the basil butter on top.  I can’t wait and my mouth is watering just thinking about it! 

Make sure and comment to tell us what you plan to use your basil butter for!  We encourage creativity :)

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