What is compound butter?
Compound Butter, a/k/a Beurre Composé, sounds pretty fancy, doesn’t it? Like something you would need a culinary degree to make. Fortunately though, that’s not the case. In fact, compound butter is simply butter that has been softened and blended with other ingredients. Phew!
Now that the secret’s out, I’ll show you two of my favorite compound butter variations that I make at home, one for summertime when fresh herbs are growing in the garden and another for winter made with dried herbs. You can try different combinations of herbs and seasonings to make it your own!
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Herbed Compound Butter
When summer days are here and you have fresh herbs from the garden, this easy compound butter comes together in minutes. A simple classic to melt over a steak or veggies. I also love it for cooking scrambled eggs and omelets.

Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp. softened unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 1 tbsp. minced fresh herbs (I used parsley, chives, sage, thyme)
- pinch of sea salt (optional, omit for low sodium diets)
Use your favorite herbs here, whatever you like to grow. Or maybe you get them at the farmer’s market or grocery store. Just chop the herbs into fine mince and mash them into the butter using a fork, or a mortar and pestle. Finish with a pinch of sea salt.

You can refrigerate it just like this or roll the butter into a cylinder shape with parchment paper and refrigerate. When it firms up, slice it into rounds and store in an airtight container.

This butter keeps well in the refrigerator, but I promise you it will disappear quickly!

Garlic Compound Butter
This is the one to make during the winter months, using garlic and dried herbs. A wonderful spread that is perfect for making garlic bread or for basting vegetables and potatoes. It can be a nice homemade touch for your holiday breadbasket. Try serving it in mini ramekins, where each guest gets their own little pat of garlic butter (those who are gluten free will really appreciate this!).
Ingredients:
- 1 large clove of garlic, peeled
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/4 tsp. dried herbs, use your favorites
- 1/8 tsp. oregano
- pinch of crushed fennel seed (optional)
- pinch of sea salt (optional)
Heat the olive oil in a small heavy skillet over lowest heat. Cook the garlic until it is soft and just beginning to brown.
Remove the garlic and mash it with 1/2 tsp. of the olive oil. You can use a mortar and pestle, a fork or the back of a spoon.
Combine the garlic mash with the softened butter and remaining ingredients. I like to use a Tuscan style seasoning blend along with a tiny bit or oregano and fennel.
Mix well to incorporate and let it stand for several hours at room temperature, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate (or freeze) until ready to use.
Notes ♪♫ Compound Butter can be as simple or as fancy as you want. Always start with a good quality grass fed butter. Make it gourmet with grated truffles or minimalist with herbs from your garden. Sea salt can be added to suit your taste or omitted for low sodium diets.
Originally posted 10/14/2019 Updated 6/30/2026




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Combine the wet ingredients, starter through canola oil, in the bowl of a stand mixer. In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, dry milk powder through instant yeast. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl with the paddle attachment and beat on low speed for 5 minutes to form a smooth, sticky dough.

Transfer the dough into an oiled bowl and smooth the top with a wet spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, up to 15 hours.
I usually make small rolls for my lunch sandwiches, so I divided my dough into 13 rolls that weighed about 2½ oz. each. You could do 2 oz. each for dinner rolls or sliders. For hamburger buns, 3-4 oz. is a good size.
Continue with the rest of the dough, arranging your shaped rolls on a
Cover the rolls and let them rest for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 475º. Score the top of each roll.
Just before baking, brush the rolls with milk, or spray with water (you can also use an egg wash). Sprinkle the rolls with poppy seeds and coarse salt (optional).
Place the pans on the center rack and throw a few ice cubes into the bottom of the oven. Bake for 5 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 375º.
Here’s the crumb shot. The rolls don’t need to be toasted, but they are great either way. Just the right size for me.

The recipe is easy and straightforward; made with common ingredients. Fresh tomatoes and basil are a must here (don’t use canned!). If you grow your own or can get them from a farmer’s market that would be great. But for everyone else, plum tomatoes from the grocery store are the best choice.
Preparation:
Place the diced tomatoes in a small bowl, and toss with 1 tbsp. olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, sea salt and ground pepper. Cut one large basil leaf into thin strips (chiffonade) and stir into the tomatoes. Let the mixture stand for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 350º. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and arrange the cod with space in between. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
Top each piece of fish with 1 tbsp. of breadcrumbs, then divide the diced tomatoes evenly over each piece.
Bake for 25 minutes. That’s it! Plate with a garnish of fresh basil leaves.
I served my Bruschetta Cod over risotto, and it was SO delicious. If you don’t know how to make risotto, jump over to
Notes ♪♫

















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Spoon sauce over the veal shanks and garnish with Italian parsley.
Yes, they are gluten free!
You are going to love this recipe!
Ingredients:
No stand mixer? You can combine everything in a large bowl with a
Now cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter (room temperature) overnight for 12-13 hours. I like to make my dough around 8pm, then shape the rolls while I’m having coffee the next morning, around 9am.
In the morning, preheat the oven to 475º with a 
Flour your work surface and gently roll each section into a torpedo shape (oval with tapered ends). Arrange them on a lightly floured baking sheet lined with parchment or use a 
Place in the oven and spray the rolls and sides of the oven with water to create steam. Bake for 35 minutes at 475º, then remove from the pan and bake directly on the stone during the last 10 minutes.
Rolls are done baking when the internal temperature reaches 210º. The crust should be firm and dry, and you will get that hollow sound when you give the rolls a sharp tap. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool.
What would you do with a homemade, hot out of the oven Italian roll like this? Dip it in olive oil, or slather with garlic butter and toast it? Slice it thin for bruschetta? Maybe load it up with veggies, cold cuts and cheese to make a panino (a/k/a sub, hoagie)! And for big appetites, you can serve them as dinner rolls (mop up that sauce!) or sandwich rolls.
However you choose to enjoy them, these rolls are delicious!
































Ingredients:

Remove the shrimp to a bowl and add another tbsp. olive oil to the skillet. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring several times.
Add the fire roasted tomatoes with juice, 1/2 tsp. oregano and salt to taste.
Cook the pasta to 2 minutes less than package directions. With 4 minutes to go on the pasta, add the shrimp to the sauce.
Drain the pasta, add it right into the sauce and toss with 1 more tbsp. olive oil and more red pepper flakes if you dare! ♨️
Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh Italian parsley.