French🍰 Sweets & drinks

Clove Butter

Name: Clove Butter
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 200 g butter; ~1 tsp cloves; ¼ tsp Sichuan pepper; ¼ tsp garlic; ~2 tbsp fresh parsley; ~1 lime zest; ½ tsp lime juice; ~¼ tsp sea salt flakes

An innovative compound butter infused with fresh cloves, Sichuan pepper, lime zest, and fresh herbs. Developed using flavor pairing principles from the Flavor Bible, this butter combines clove with beef to enhance meat flavors. Versatile for serving with steak, fresh bread, or using as a basting butter while cooking.

Adapted from a video by French Cooking Academy

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Ingredients

buttersoftened, lightly salted200 g
clovesfresh whole, ground into powder~1 tspest.
Sichuan pepperfresh whole, ground into powder¼ tsp
garlicminced or crushed¼ tsp
fresh parsleychopped, small amount for texture and color~2 tbspest.
lime zestfreshly grated~1est.
lime juicefresh, to taste½ tsp
sea salt flakesalready included in the lightly salted butter

Steps

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1
Use a pestle and mortar to grind fresh whole cloves and Sichuan peppercorns into fine powder. Using whole spices rather than pre-ground ensures optimal flavor.
2
Place the softened butter in a bowl. Ensure it is soft enough to easily turn into a paste when worked with a spatula.
3
Add the ground clove powder to the softened butter. Since cloves are very potent, measure carefully—this should be the dominant flavor of the butter.
4
Add the ground Sichuan pepper, approximately one-quarter teaspoon, to provide additional depth of flavor.
5
Add minced garlic, approximately one-quarter teaspoon. Keep the amount moderate so it doesn't become primarily garlic butter.
6
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Its small quantity primarily adds color and texture to the mixture.
7
Mix in the fresh lime zest and approximately half a teaspoon of lime juice. Lime juice is potent, so use restraint to add acidity and freshness without overpowering the butter.
8
Slowly mix all ingredients together with a spatula until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more clove if needed since this is a clove-forward butter.
9
Roll the butter mixture into a log shape and wrap in plastic film. Refrigerate for several hours until firm, allowing flavors to fully develop and meld.
10
When ready to use, keep the butter in the plastic wrap and cut into slices as needed. Serve alongside fresh bread, place on hot steak to melt, or use as a basting butter while cooking.

Clove Butter

Ingredients

Steps

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