Spring Compound Butters

Name: Spring Compound Butters
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 small orange); 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons whole-grain Dijon mustard; 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature; 1/4 cup goat cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill; 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature

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One of the easiest and most elegant snacks to serve in the spring is a platter of raw radishes with flavored butters, flaky salt, and baguette slices. The butter and bread tame the peppery heat of the radishes and the salt brings all of the flavors together for an unbeatable combination. For a passed hors d'oeuvres, you can also spread the baguette slices with butter, then top with thinly sliced radishes and a sprinkling of flaky salt. A compound butter is simply butter that has been flavored with additional ingredients, like herbs, citrus zest, or mustard. Salted butter works, but velvety European-style cultured butter is even better. Choose one of the flavored butters below, or serve all three for a delicious mix of colors and flavors. Round red radishes from the grocery store are a fine accompaniment, you can find other varieties at the farmers' market, like spicy French breakfast radishes or watermelon radishes, which are large enough to cut into wedges.

Sheri Castle

Published on March 23, 2020

Spring Compound Butters — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Total Time:

5 mins

Yield:

1/2 cup each

Ingredients

Orange-Tarragon Butter

1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 small orange)
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature

Honey-Mustard-Chive Butter

1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons whole-grain Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature

Herbed Chèvre Butter

1/4 cup goat cheese, softened
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature

Directions

Combine the ingredients of the desired compound butter in a small bowl with a spoon or small spatula until thoroughly mixed. Transfer the flavored butter to an airtight container, cover and chill up to 1 week. Serve at room temperature.