Easy Chive Butter Recipe - A Two Ingredient Wonder

Chive butter is one of the most versatile savory butters you can make at home. It has a mild oniony, garlicky flavor that's somewhat sweet and never bitter. It improves the taste of most vegetables, and is the default flavored butter topper for a baked potato. For a rich finish, add a pat to your grilled or broiled steaks, too. That little dab of garden kissed dairy makes all the difference.

Chive butter is another two ingredient butter, like honey butter, that's be easy to prepare. You can even complete a batch during a commercial break in your favorite holiday movie -- I speak from experience.

You can source fresh chives in the produce department of most major grocery store chains if it isn't a resident in your garden. (And if not, why not? Chives are reliably frost tolerant, and I've even braved the herb patch after a significant snow to harvest some when my windowsill plant starts to look a little short and stumpy.)

Chive Butter Recipe

2 sticks (one cup) salted butter, softened
1/4 cup fresh chives


Rinse chives and pat them dry with a paper towel. Let them sit on your countertop for a half hour or so to get rid of any residual moisture. Dryer is better.

Chop chives as fine as you can, and set them aside.

Add softened butter to a mixing bowl and cream using a whisk or fork.

Add the chives a little at a time until fully incorporated.

Spoon mixture onto waxed paper, and form it into a log about one and a half inches in diameter.  You can also place the mixture in a tub or ramekin, or add it to a decorative mold.

Refrigerate until firm.

The recipe can be halved or doubled.  To eyeball a quick prep session, use about two tablespoons of chives for each half cup (stick) of butter.  The mixture will last about a week in your refrigerator. It can also be made ahead and frozen.


Photo courtesy of Flicker user: Edsel Little
https://www.flickr.com/photos/edsel_/4022195735/in/photolist

Honey Butter Recipe

Herb and other flavored butters are popular around holidays like Christmas and Easter. They're delicious, and show a little extra attention to detail that doesn't take a culinary or decorating degree. They come together quickly, hold in the refrigerator for days, and can be molded or not, depending on how much time you have or want to spare. (They're tasty served in a simple tub or shape like an angel or holly wreath.)

I'm particularly fond of savory butters like chive, sage and rosemary, but my honey flavored butter is a big hit, too -- sweet, rich and wholesome. It's tasty on dinner rolls with baked ham, and is always welcome with breakfast biscuits or scones. You can make it days ahead, which is nice when crunch time approaches. With just two ingredients, it's ridiculously easy to prepare.

If you have honey lovers in the family and don't enjoy mopping up the sticky drips, this butter delivers the sweet, natural flavor of honey but leaves the mess behind.

Honey Flavored Butter Recipe

Ingredients

2 sticks salted butter (1 cup)
1/4 cup honey

Directions

Soften butter on your countertop or in the microwave to make it easier to work with.

Combine butter and honey in a small mixing bowl and beat with a whisk for three to five minutes. You can also use food processor or hand mixer.

*Spoon mixture onto wax paper, and roll into a log about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.  Refrigerate until set. If using with sweet rather than savory dishes, you can sprinkle cinnamon on the chilled log for a little extra color.

Refrigerate until serving time.

Slice into generous 1/4 inch rounds, and serve in an iced dish.

This recipe can be halved or doubled easily.

*Other options include spooning the prepared mixture into a tub or adding it to large or individual decorative molds.

Special Note: If you've prepared my lavender flavored honey recipe, now's the time to use it! You can find it here: How to Make Lavender Honey    (It makes a very nice holiday hostess gift.)

Photo courtesy of Flickr user: thebristolkid
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebristolkid/3225285221/in/photolist