Healthy foods, How herb butter can help those counting calories.

 I'm sure most of us have that special favorite dining place we love to frequent, whether it be a steak house, Italian restaurant or one of those multi variety buffet style restaurants. As I am sure many of us have another reason often in deciding on that special place.

Oh yeah I'm talking about those fresh hot rolls by the basket full, keep 'em comin, and keep 'em hot many of us would say. I personally have my favorite local steakhouse I frequent, and while the steaks are exceptional, the baked potatoes are loaded, and even the salad is a step above most. The one thing I have to say that keeps me going back is those fresh hot rolls, and more specifically that sweet cinnamon flavored butter they serve with them. Oh my I can almost smell them now! Here's where like the rest of you I have to be very careful as well to not get full before my steak ever hits the table.

But the problem for those counting calories of course is, well butter kind of tends to take up a whole lot of them. But just like that cinnamon butter I love so much, adding extra flavor to the butter is one way to in turn, allow you to cut back on how much is needed. Thus letting one get the flavor as well as, that pleasant memory trip back to Grandma's or that favorite dining place, that can be induced by the comforting aroma of a meal cooked with butter.

So the solution as well as another good way to get some more use of those fresh garden herbs you toiled so hard for in the spring, can be found in making herb flavored butter. Now of course this is a simplified cheat version, as I'm sure most of us do not live on a dairy farm, let alone have the means to churn our own butter.

All you will need for this is some butter (while a tub of soft works best you can just as well use sticks and simply let them soften) and some of those wonderful herbs you've grown, and now wonder how to get all the use from them.

Much like herb flavored oils, herb butters are good for helping calorie counters and this is due to the fact that there's more flavor, thus allowing the user to use less. They add a great kick to that breakfast or dinner table as well by adding wonderful colors and taste. You may try serving them in ramekins, cutting them with a butter curler, or shape them in butter molds. Your guest are sure to be impressed!

To Prepare

Simply combine about 1 tablespoon of fresh minced herbs with about 1/2 cup of softened sweet butter. Then wrap the mixture in plastic and store in the fridge for about a month or in the freezer for about three months. You can use it on warm rolls, biscuits or toast, steam it with your favorite vegetables, poached fish, or chicken. Or use it as a delightful saute. Here are a few combinations to try.

For savory butters:

• marjoram and garlic
• garlic, sesame seeds, and chives
• basil and minced, roasted sweet pepper, oregano, thyme, and pureed shrimp
• lemon pepper, dill, and rosemary

For breakfast butters:

• mint and dill
• beebalm and lovage or cinnamon
• costmary and tansy
• lemon verbena and a pinch of orange peel

Of course your imagination is key and the limits are almost endless. But the key is you've added one more way to extend your use of those fresh herbs throughout the season.

So as always enjoy be blessed and happy cooking!

Be sure to catch my next hub in this series when I'll be giving a detailed list of what herbs go best with what foods....