Yesterday was a day like any other day.
I woke up thinking about doughnuts and chili fries. Ok… not really. I did, however, make my way to the kitchen, found an open box of cereal, and ate a giant handful of dry cereal with my eyes closed. Then I drank milk. I can’t tell you whether or not I drank straight from the carton or used a glass. That information is classified. Just let me be known that I seem to be a bachelor at heart.
Yesterday was a day like any other day. There was cereal, a bit of beach, eye cream (because I’m obsessed), food, friendship, and curious amounts of butter.
Herb butter. A simple combination of salt and pepper, fresh thyme and chives, fresh (fuzzy) sage and lemon zest.
It all gets smashed into butter. Later I’m going to suggest you put this cold butter inside a hamburger patty. That’s obscene and I apologize in advance.
December 26, 2011. Morning by the beach. If anyone ever makes me live in a frozen tundra land… I’ll hold this dear inside my heart.
December 26, 2011. Brunch with Tracy, Casey, and Cooper (not pictured… obviously). Tracy is cutting her son’s pancake. She’s mom-ing hard.
December 26, 2011. Afternoon butter manipulation and photography. Yes… I shoot on the floor in front of my door sometimes. Just… deal.
What are you going to do with all of this beautiful, herb-y, salty, butter spread?
Bread is an amazing place to start. Toasted? With garlic? Keep talking!
December 26, 2011. You might consider, as I did… placing small pats of herb butter inside ground beef and making butter burgers.
Butter. Burgers. I mean… sweet Lord. The recipe is from Good Meat, a book I am deeply emotional about.
I can neither confirm nor deny my butter burger consumption. A butter burger is not pictured here because that would be entirely irresponsible, and frankly… dangerous.
December 26, 2011. End with a cider. Pear.
Super Herb Butter
makes 1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened slightly (you can use salted butter, just leave the extra salt out)
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon sea salt (depending on how salty you like things)
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme,
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh sage
2 teaspoons lemon zest
3 tablespoons chopped chives
Place butter in a small bowl. Using a fork, mash until softened. Add salt and pepper and mash to incorporate. Add thyme, sage, and lemon zest. Mash to incorporate. Lastly, add the chives and stir to combine. Place butter on a piece of plastic wrap and tighten into a small dish. Chill until ready to use.
Butter will last, wrapped in the fridge, for up to one week.
Jessica
Joy!
Just wanted to say thank you for blogging so well.
I know you’re busy and you work so hard, but you still post often enough to be the brilliant, bright part of my day that I look forward to.
It’s weird that a food blog makes me so happy.
Actually, it isn’t weird at all. :)
Just wanted you to know it’s appreciated!
Thank you.
sherri lynn @ life of a wife
Love herb butter! I think the butter burger sounds amazing, too.
katie @KatieDid
I will fully admit to having made a butter burger before. Incredible and not much else compares in the world. Except an herbed butter burger or course. Gotta make some herbed butter with the new buffalo grass fed butter I just bought today!
katy @ dining with dusty
Frankly, I think butter burgers are some of the best things I’ve heard about all week.
Erika - The Teenage Taste
Mmmm, I love flavored butters! I made cinnamon brown sugar butter before and it was a hit at my family’s Christmas brunch, now I’ll whip up this savory herb version and wow everyone at New Year’s Eve dinner! Thanks Joy! :)
Kate
Oh my. You have just turned an otherwise dreary and uninspiring day into something fabulous with the posting of this compound butter… and putting it in a burger?? I never really crave burgers, but now it’s all I can think of. Good call with the pear cider, too…
Melody
Butter is always amazing :) Thanks for sharing!
teaandbubbly.blogspot.com
pam
your posts always make me smile. I have had a butter burger or 2 in my lifetime. my hubbies grandmother makes them regularly. sinful they are.
and lately the people I work with have been b-tching about not having cooler/cold weather for the holidays….I just want to stand on top my chair and give them a piece of my mind over the cubicle wall world I work in. it is 75, sunny and absolutely awesome. i would rather be at the beach in shorts and a tee over Christmas then bundled up in 6 layers for the holidays. just because it is christmas doesn’t mean it has to be cold! i have said my peace. xoxo pam
caroleena
Just ask anyone south of the equator….
Wendy h
AGREED! I have no need for that “weather outside is frightful….” nonsense. I can be merry and eat too many cookies in the sunshine just fine, thanks very much. I could also manage to eat some of this butter on something… at the beach.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
An amazing idea all around. From the butter to the burger. If you put herbs and “veggies” in butter, it’s not nearly as bad for you. Right? ;)
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
GREAT IDEA!!!
Gen
I’d love it on a good piece of bread! I think you can only appreciate butter with some good, slightly warm piece of bread, with a crunchy crust and thick and smooth interior!
laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño
ps: newest follower :)
Evan
Uhhh…definitely put that on top of a piece of steak when it’s sizzling from the oven. Or on garlic bread. Orrrr melt just a little bit over an omelet. Or toss it with steamed new potatoes.
Wow, now I just want herbed butter. :)
Laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño
This looks excellent!!! and I looooove that you take pics in front of your door on the floor! as awkward as it may seem to us, it really makes for the best pictures. Unfortunately my condo gets horrible natural light, even near my doors but the idea is still there for a great pic.
Love it <3
faye
Another fantastic idea, thanks! I have lots of herbs leftover from christmas and was wondering what I could do with them! Problem solved!!