According to my Curry book, the process of clarifying butter to produce ghee makes it an excellent cooking medium able to withstand high temperatures and constant reheating. It also prevents it from going rancid, an important consideration in hot countries.
Head straight on to the recipe for Ghee ♥
There is a saying that the wind is born in Gordons Bay. I’m sure a lot of places can lay claim to this, but in the past week the wind had been extremely strong where I live. The south easter should send rain up to Gauteng where my parents reside, but that has not happened. The country is in the grips of a terrible drought and we are in heat wave season. We’ve had temperatures of over 30° Celsius for days on end. The wind off the sea should help cool the air down but all it is doing is heating the air even more, and blowing a lot of dust into the house and pool. With the heat has come fires. Not nearly as bad as I have seen in Australia, but bad enough. The wind had blown the smoke over the mountain and the air is even hotter. I remain grateful for the fire fighters who are battling the heat to ensure loss of properties is kept to a minimum. Our dams are not very full and water is needed to put out the flames. It’s a dire situation and all one can hope for is the wind to die down and the rain to come. The heat is better to live with than the threat of the fire hopping over and burning the fynbos above where we live. In this weather I do very little cooking. But it is good to know that if I do feel like standing in front of the hob I can use my ghee which has a unique rich, nutty taste.
Ghee | Clarified Butter
Ghee | Clarified Butter
Ingredients
- 250 g unsalted butter
Method
- Place the butter into a heavy bottomed sauce pan
- Allow the butter to come to a gentle simmer over a medium temperature
- Leave to simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum off the top after 20 minutes
- Carefully strain the clear clarified butter into a sterilized glass jar
- Discard the milk solids which have formed on the bottom of the pan
- Leave the ghee to cool and store in a cool, dark place
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
What I blogged January 21:
- one year ago – Rust En Vrede
- two years ago – Apple And Fennel Sauce
- three years ago – Orange Berry Muffins
- four years ago – Friday’s Food Quiz
- five years ago – Something Savoury Challenge
Sounds like your weather is very similar to ours right now, Tandy. Gosh, it’s hot. So, so hot. Hope you get rain very soon!
I am praying for rain as the mountain pass near us is on fire!
That’s so interesting how the cooking process changes the butter color to yellow and also changes it’s properties! I’ve heard of ghee, but never tried making it! Maybe one day, when I start making more of the Indian recipes!
I use it for far more than just Indian cooking 🙂
Thanks so much for this. To be honest, I didn’t realise it was this easy. I have so many Indian cook books that require ghee, so now I can make all the recipes!
It is so easy!
I’ve always wondered about ghee but never attempted it myself. Thanks for the recipe!
My pleasure Bianca 🙂
Mmmm a whole jar of ghee looks heavenly to me!!
The colour is very heavenly 🙂
We are in the middle of a cold front, Tandy, let’s mix -4° C and your above 30° C temperatures …
Thanks for the ghee recipe, I have meant to make ghee for years now, the store bought quality is not really satisfying!
I don’t like the store bought ones either. And yes, a meld of our weather would be a good thing 🙂
thanks always wondered how it was made
My pleasure Stephanie 🙂
I’ve never made ghee… I need to try it soon!
Hope you find it easy to make Pam 🙂
Ghee is a wonderful thing, Tandy. If you add a bay leaf when you are making it, it adds a lovely depth of flavour.
I have fresh bay leaves so will try that for sure when I make the next batch 🙂
I should make a big jar of this and keep it for when I’m making Indian food and other items that require butter at high heat. Thanks for the inspiration Tandy! 😀
My pleasure Lorraine 🙂
Ghee is one of those recipes I keep saying I have to do! Wishing you cool weather and a bit of rain.
I am praying for rain as the vineyards in our region have had seriously bad fires!
I have never tried ghee, I’m intrigued! Will pray for rain =)
Your prayers were heard! It is raining xox
I adore indian food and make it all the time, but I’ve never thought to make my own ghee! Great inspiration post for me 🙂
Glad to read that Sarah 🙂
I’ve never used ghee before but it sounds like I should try it! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
Thanks for the visit Eileen 🙂
Growing up on ghee, I never ever looked up a recipe for it online and sometimes I struggle to find it in shops when I look for it on a whim. Thanks for posting the recipe. 🙂
Hope you make it at home from now on 🙂
Will have to try it before deciding to make it.
Let me know if you taste it and like it!
Great timing as a group of us were discussing the health properties of ghee the other night. I was surprised at just how good it is for you.
And tasty too!
Oh wow! I have always just bought ghee. I must try to make it one day!
It is worth making your own!
I love using clarified butter on eggs, too! Makes the perfect sunny side up!
I am so going to try that!
this is so useful! Thanks so much for sharing!
My pleasure 🙂
Oh I hope and pray you get rain soon, especially with the fire so close to your house. It finally broke for us in Canberra, with an almighty terrifying storm too. Take care Tandy!
Glad you had a storm! The rain came down for us today 🙂
Ive seen a lot of bloggers use ghee in their cooking but Ive never actually used it myself – I bet its beautiful in a curry!
It is amazing to cook with Lucie 🙂
Fabulous! The recipe makes me can’t wait to the weekend to try making it at home. Wish my version also look delicious like yours.
I am sure yours will!
Once again, I learn something from you and your writing. I did not know about the process for ghee and it is often in my recipes. Thank you Tandy.
My pleasure Tammy 🙂
I used to work as a personal assistant for several visiting Ayurvedic Doctors. We’d shop at the small Indian neighborhood and I’d watch them cook. Preparing ghee and then having that delicious healthy butter available soft for anything is something I’ve missed. Time to fire up the pan again!
What an interesting job that must have been Elaine 🙂
Thank you for sharing
My pleasure Dora 🙂
I never tried this, how does it taste?
like concentrated butter 🙂