Ghee Recipe
Ghee is butter with the milk solids removed. It is a saturated fat
suited for high heat cooking. The milk solids in butter are damaged
by high heat such that butter is not healthy to cook with at anything above a
low heat saute. Ghee is quite expensive in markets, and it is well worth
it to make a batch if a a high heat oil is needed for frying or other high
temperature cooking.
Start with 1 lb (450 g) unsalted butter Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Increase the heat and
bring the butter to a boil. When the surface is completely covered with foam
stir the butter gently and reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting.
Simmer uncovered and undisturbed for 45 minutes, or until the milk solids in the
bottom of the pan have turned golden brown and the butter on top is transparent.
Strain the butter through a sieve lined with linen or four layers of
cheesecloth. If there are any solids in the ghee, no matter how small, strain it
again until it is perfectly clear. Pour the ghee into a glass jar and seal
tightly. This recipe makes about 1.5 cups, and may be kept at room temperature
for several months, or almost indefinitely refrigerated. It will congeal if
refrigerated, and so must be warmed before using if liquid ghee is called for. |
