Minted Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Combine butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until sugar is moistened, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until well combined. Return mixer to low speed, add remaining 2 cups sugar, and mix until well combined, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, 6 minutes more. Add peppermint extract, milk, and salt; beat until smooth.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with confectioners' sugar and turn out "dough" onto it. Divide into 5 pieces; tint as desired with food coloring, leaving one piece white. (Keep covered with plastic wrap while working to prevent drying.)
• Roll "dough" into 1/2-inch-thick ropes, then cut into pieces slightly over 1/2 inch long with a paring knife or bench scraper. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Let dry, uncovered, at least 12 hours. Mints can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the butter, confectioners' sugar, cream and extracts. If desired, divide dough into portions and knead in food coloring. , Form into balls by teaspoonfuls; flatten into patties, or roll between 2 pieces of waxed paper to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut mints into desired shapes. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Add the butter to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the shallots and saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the peas and cook until they are just warmed through, about 4 minutes. Add the mint and cream and stir together. Serve.

Steps:

• Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until it is soft and fluffy. Add the sugar and the mint extract and beat at low speed until the mixture is thick, creamy, and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Cut 2 large sheets of plastic wrap and place on your work surface. Divide the mixture into 2 equal portions and place each on the plastic sheets. Roll the mixture into the plastic wrap, forming it into logs about 1/2-inch in diameter. Wrap the plastic wrap securely around the logs and chill for 4 hours.
• Pinch off about a rounded teaspoon of the butter cream and shape into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on parchment or waxed paper and flatten with the tines of a fork. Refrigerate in layers of parchment paper in an airtight container until ready to serve. Mints will keep for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine potatoes and salt. Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by a generous 1/2 inch and set the pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a vigorous simmer. Cook potatoes just until tender and creamy inside, 10 to 25 minutes depending on size.
• Reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid, gently drain the potatoes and return them to the stove. Add butter, garlic and reserved cooking liquid to the pot and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, swirling the pan and basting as needed so that the liquid coats the potatoes until they are well glazed, about 5 minutes.
• Tear the mint leaves into small pieces, stir them very gently into the potatoes, and take the pot off the heat. Squeeze on just enough lemon to add brightness, not sourness; taste as you go. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cook peas with water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through and tender, about 8 minutes.
• While peas cook, stir together butter, mint, parsley, pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt until combined well.
• Pulse peas (with cooking water) in 2 batches in a food processor until coarsely puréed, transferring to a large bowl. Stir in herb butter until melted.

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the carrots, recover, and steam until just tender, 2 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. Drain carrots.
• Heat the butter in a skillet over low heat. Stir in the carrots, brown sugar, honey, and mint. Continue to cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Add 2 thinly sliced scallions (below); cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.
• Add 3 packages (10 ounces each) thawed frozen peas, 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until peas are tender and heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint, 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons butter; swirl pan until butter is creamy, 1 minute more.

Steps:

• Take100g/4oz softened butter and beat until creamy, then for...
• Herby butter: stir in 2-3 tbsp chopped fresh mixed herbs (parsley, chervil, dill, marjoram, basil) and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Tarragon and wholegrain mustard butter: stir in 1 tsp chopped fresh tarragon (remember this is very strong) and 1-2 tbsp wholegrain mustard, plus salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Mint and cider butter: gradually beat in 1 tbsp cider vinegar, then 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Chive and shallot butter: stir in 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots and 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, plus salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Parsley, lemon and chilli butter: stir in 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest, salt to taste and ½ tsp crushed, dried chilli flakes.
• Dill butter: stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped pickled dill cucumber or gherkins and 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• After mixing, have the flavoured butters handy in the fridge or freezer ready for slicing. Roll them into logs in wet greaseproof paper and chill until firm. Rewrap in cling film and twist each end to seal. Will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.