Mastering clarified butter: Elevate your cooking with ease

Clarified butter is undoubtedly one of the most valuable culinary products, gaining widespread recognition worldwide. In countries like India, where it is known as ghee, clarified butter plays a key role in the kitchen and is an ingredient in many traditional dishes.

In a home setting, clarified butter is easy to prepare. This product can be an excellent addition to dishes, especially those that are fried, because it doesn’t burn even at high temperatures. Additionally, its light nutty taste adds a unique character to dishes.

To prepare clarified butter at home, first and foremost, you need to ensure you have the right ingredients. The key is to use the highest quality butter – ideally with a fat content of at least 82%. Avoid salted butter, as the salt can affect the quality and taste of the final product.

Once you have your butter, prepare the tools that will help you with the clarifying process. You will need a saucepan with a thick bottom, which evenly distributes heat, and a slotted spoon to remove the foam that forms on the surface. You will also need a clean cheesecloth or strainer to pour the finished product into a jar. Make sure everything is ready before you start heating the butter.

How to make clarified butter the homemade way? Start the process by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat. It's important for the butter to melt slowly, without burning it. When the butter starts to melt, a white foam will appear on the surface. This is a sign that proteins and water are being released, which we need to remove to obtain pure fat.

Using a slotted spoon, gently skim the foam, being careful not to stir the butter too vigorously. Try to do this thoroughly until the impurities stop appearing and the butter takes on a beautiful, amber colour. When the clarification is complete, set the saucepan aside for a moment to let the butter settle before proceeding to the next step.

After clarifying, pour the butter through cheesecloth into a clean jar to remove any residue. Storing butter in this way ensures longer freshness – but remember to let it cool completely before sealing the jar.

Clarified butter does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. It is perfectly suitable for storage in a dry place at room temperature, making it an extremely practical addition in the kitchen. What to use clarified butter for? This product works great for frying, baking, or even as a spread on bread, giving dishes a delicate, nutty flavour and enhancing their nutritional value.