The Magic of Butter
Did you know that November 17th is National Butter Day? Yes, it’s a thing. Talk about a great excuse to celebrate this creamy, rich, and delicious spread! While the “holiday” is only once a year, there are many excuses that allow us to enjoy butter all the time. It’s actually full of health benefits and elevates most foods we could name. As the hero ingredient in our fresh, authentic Butter Simmer Sauce, it amplifies the texture and flavor of whatever dish you make with it.
First Things First: What Exactly is Butter? And How is it Used in Indian Cuisine?
Butter is a result of churning milk or cream where solid fats are separated from the milk liquid. It’s full of nutrients, is satiating, and full of vitamins and minerals not found in plants. Removing water and milk solids makes clarified butter, known as ghee, which is commonly used in Indian cooking. It has a higher smoke point than butter, so it’s well suited for cooking, frying and sautéing.
Ghee is an important ingredient in the Mughlai style of cooking, which stems back to the Mughal Empire that ruled India and surrounding areas from between the 16th and 19th centuries. Mughlai cuisine uses dairy products, like malai, paneer, ghee, and yogurt to thicken and enrich dishes. Dairy became prominent originally because of water scarcity at the time. Ghee and other dairy ingredients work beautifully to balance the mouthwatering and aromatic spices. Mughlai dishes are still popular Indian fare to this day.
Health Benefits
Butter, when consumed in moderation, does have its health benefits. It’s a source for fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, all of which make it easily digestible. Ghee is even easier to digest thanks to a low level of lactose. The antioxidants and unsaturated acids are properties that can boost the immune system and remove toxic chemicals from the body. Vitamins K1, K2, and D all help to prevent tooth decay and increase bone health. Macronutrients in butter aid in cognitive and physical development. Butter can even reduce inflammation. But again, remember the moderation.
Delicious Recipes
Our soul-warming, creamy Butter Simmer Sauce is fresh and authentic. It’s as comforting as your favorite family recipe that’s been passed down and enhanced from generation to generation. It’s also a scrumptious time saver! Here are two delicious meal ideas that can be made in about 20 minutes.
Butter Chicken
Add this easy and comforting curry to your repertoire for impressive flavor, even on the busiest nights. Make it your own by adding your favorite veggies.
Ingredients:
16 oz. dosa by DOSA Butter Simmer Sauce
1 lb. raw chicken (breast or thigh)
¼ cup filtered water
4 cups cooked rice (optional)
Garlic naan (optional)
Recipe (serves 4-6):
Cut raw chicken into 1" chunks. Add Butter Simmer Sauce to a medium stockpot with ¼ cup of filtered water. Bring the sauce to a simmer (gentle bubbling, just before boiling) over medium-high heat making sure to reach 165°F, and then add raw chicken. Continue to cook. stirring occasionally until chicken is fully cooked and opaque: 10-12 min. for breast, 20-24 min for thigh. It’s great served over rice and/or with garlic naan.
Butter, Paneer, Peas & Pasta (Vegetarian)
For a cheesy, buttery Indian-Italian fusion, try this scrumptiously spicy pasta dish.
Ingredients:
16 oz. dosa by DOSA Butter Simmer Sauce
16 oz. rigatoni
½ cup green peas
6 oz. firm paneer cheese
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Dash of salt & pepper
¼ cup filtered water
Italian parsley, chopped (optional)
Slivered almonds (optional)
Garlic naan (optional)
Recipe (serves 4):
Boil rigatoni in salted water until cooked al dente, drain and set aside. Cut firm paneer cheese into ¾-inch cubes and fry over medium high heat in cooking oil, adding salt and pepper to taste until golden brown around the edges, 4-5 minutes on each side. Set fried paneer aside onto a cloth or paper towel to drain off excess oil.
In a large saute pan over medium heat, pour out the butter sauce , adding ¼ cup water. After 2-3 minutes of gentle stirring over the heat, add the fried paneer and the green peas into the sauce. Stir to combine for 2 minutes over medium heat. Add the cooked pasta to sauce and stir to combine until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley, slivered almonds, and a side of garlic naan.
