Basil Lemon Butter Recipes

BASIL BUTTER

Steps:

• Place basil in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Add remaining ingredients; process until blended., Transfer to a sheet of plastic wrap; shape into a log. Refrigerate up to one week or wrap securely and freeze for longer storage. Unwrap and slice to use with seafood, poultry, vegetables, pasta and bread.

SIMPLE BASIL BUTTER

Steps:

• Place basil leaves and garlic in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Add lemon juice, salt, and sugar; pulse to combine. Place butter into basil mixture and process until smooth.

LOBSTER WITH BASIL-LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Add enough water to a large pot to fill it a third of the way-enough to steam, but not fully submerge the lobster-and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, make the compound butter by placing butter, herbs, shallot, salt, a few grinds of pepper, and zest in bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, adding water 1 spoonful at a time if necessary to loosen and blend properly. Add lemon juice and process again to combine. Transfer seasoned butter to small container, cover, and hold at room temperature. (Note: Butter can be made in advance, refrigerated, and brought back to room temperature for serving.)
• When water has boiled, add sea salt, approximately one handful for each quart of water. Add whole lobster and steam for 5 minutes.
• Remove lobster from pot using a large slotted spoon or tongs. When cool enough to handle, break down the lobster in this order, placing each piece of meat gently on a plate: First, remove the claws. Then separate the tail from the head. Break the thick leg attached to the claw into two pieces at the joint, using the kitchen counter as leverage. Break the claw into two pieces, loosening at the joint. Split claw open with back of a chef's knife, and twisting at 90 degree angles. When the claw has cracked open, pull out the claw meat whole. Repeat with other claws.
• Lay each tail on its side and press down to crack; do not smash. Use thumbs to pull shell away, and gently pull the tail out whole. Trim away any ragged, small pieces of meat (and reserve for another use). Break down the elbows by gently cracking the shell with the back of a chef's knife in several places and peeling it away. Gently scrape the albumen from the meat.
• To finish, use the back of a spoon to smear some compound butter on the side of the plate. Slice lobster tail in half lengthwise, and arrange with other lobster pieces on the plate. Garnish meat with an additional dollop of butter, sea salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

BASIL LEMON BUTTER CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• For preparation, juice the lemon into a ramekin or small mug, removing the seeds. Mince fresh basil leaves until really finely chopped.
• In a saucepan, heat butter over medium temperature until melted. Gently add heavy whipping cream while stirring with a whisk and bring to a low boil while constantly stirring. Slowly add lemon juice while stirring consistently until blended. Add chicken bouillon, basil, and pressed garlic and continue to stir until chicken bouillon is dissolved. Reduce heat to low and serve by lightly drizzling sauce with a spoon over fish or chicken.

BASIL LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• In a food processor, chop basil. Add the remaining ingredients. Drop by tablespoons onto a baking sheet; transfer to the freezer. Remove from baking sheet and store in freezer bags. If prefer, drop onto plastic wrap and shape into a log; wrap tightly and freeze.
• Use to flavor chicken, fish or vegetables. This butter is limited only by your imagination.
• Note: Add chives for another dimension of flavor. Use dill instead of basil for lemon-dill butter. Try tarragon. Use cilantro and substitute lime juice for lemon juice.