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ghee
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Clarified butter | Ghee | Brown butter
Cook Time
15 mins
 

Ghee or Clarified butter is made by separating water and milk solids from butter. Ghee has a longer shelf life and is used to flavor lentil curries, make savories, and desserts for auspicious occasions in Indian cooking. Clarified butter can also be used to make a sauce and baking. It has a beautiful aroma, a nutty taste, and a high smoking point.

Cuisine: French, Indian
Keyword: brown butter recipe, clarified butter, ghee
Ingredients
  • 8 oz or (226gms) or (2 sticks) Unsalted butter (Makes about 1 cup of ghee)
Instructions

  1. Cut butter into 1/2 inch cubes or leave it whole and place it in a heavy bottom saucepan. Turn the heat to medium till all the butter melts. This takes about 2-3 minutes. Once the butter melts, turn the heat to low, and keep checking in between.

    clarified butter step 1
Clarified Butter:

  1. Once you see white foam, skim the foam with a spoon. The golden liquid is clarified butter. Carefully strain into a clean glass container and store it at room temperature.

    clarified butter step 2
Ghee:

  1. If you want to make ghee, increase the flavor and shelf life, continue cooking the ghee till you see a white crust on top. Gently move it with a spoon to the side of the saucepan to check that the ghee is not browning. Do not stir.

  2. The crust will slowly start setting to bottom, and you will see clear bubbles forming.

  3. Turn off the heat, move the pan to your counter, and let it cook with the residual heat. Keep a close eye so that it doesn't brown. The entire process from start to end may take about 10to 15 minutes.

    ghee step 1

  4. Carefully pour into a clean heatproof glass container. If you cannot pour directly, pour using a heatproof ladle.

    ghee step 2
Brown Butter:

  1. If you want brown butter let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes till milk solids turn brown. It gives a caramelized flavor. You can use this in cookies and baked goods instead of butter to enhance the taste.

Recipe Notes

Ghee or clarified butter is stored at room temperature.
Do not stir during the melting process.
If the quantity of butter is increased, the cooking time will increase too.
Like butter and oil, use it in moderation.

 

The shelf life of ghee | Clarified butter:

Since the milk solids are removed, ghee has a longer shelf life. It stays good on the kitchen counter for up to 3 months.

You can store clarified butter on the counter for up to a month. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a year.

Ghee or clarified butter can go rancid, so to increase the shelf life, always use a clean spoon free of any moisture.