As grilling season heats up, you may be looking for ways to add flavor to your grilled meats and veggies. Marinades offer endless options, but they require time, which is not always on our side.
For a quick and simple addition to your grilling toolbox, consider compound butters. Prepared ahead of time, they are a gift to the frazzled dinner-maker, but even assembled hastily and at the last minute, they turn any basic grilled chicken breast into something a little bit special with odds and ends from your refrigerator.
Compound butter is a butter that has been combined with herbs, spices, and/or other seasonings such as lemon zest, chili peppers, scallions, vegetables, … really it is only your imagination and creativity that limits the flavor and ingredients.
Compound butters are most typically used as a sauce for grilled or broiled meats or vegetables, or as a spread to add flavor to a sandwich or canapé. Seasoned and made sweet with the addition of maple syrup, honey, or fruit they are delicious served with breakfast muffins, toast, pancakes, or waffles. They are also classically used as an accompaniment for steamed dessert puddings.
Making a compound butter is easy as 1, 2… that’s it!
- Work the butter by hand or with an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until it is soft. Add the remaining ingredients and blend well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary.
- The compound butter is ready to use immediately after mixing, or it may be rolled into a log, or piped or molded into shapes and chilled for later use.
To use a compound butter for grilling, simply pair a portion-sized piece with your grilled meat or vegetables. Let it melt over the hot food, and you’ll see it create an instant sauce.