Description
Tomato Butter is a flavorful and versatile compound butter made by roasting vine-ripe tomatoes and garlic, then blending them with salted butter and Italian seasoning. Perfect for adding depth and a rich, aromatic taste to breads, grilled meats, or vegetables, this easy 25-minute recipe yields 20 servings of savory butter cubes that can be stored frozen for convenient future use.
Ingredients
Produce
- 2 tomatoes (vine ripe, $1.28)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.06)
Seasonings
- ¼ tsp sea salt ($0.01)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.03)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning ($0.21)
Others
- Cooking spray ($0.01)
- 2 sticks salted butter (room temperature, $1.98)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and garlic.
- Gather ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients to have them ready and accessible before starting the recipe.
- Seed and crush: Cut the tomatoes into quarters and carefully scoop out the seeds to avoid excess moisture. Crush the garlic cloves gently using the bottom of a cup to release their flavor.
- Mist and season: Place the seeded tomatoes and crushed garlic on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Season them with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Lightly spray with cooking oil to facilitate roasting.
- Bake: Roast the tomatoes and garlic in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they become wilted and lightly toasted, intensifying their flavors.
- Combine ingredients: Transfer the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a food processor. Add the room temperature salted butter and Italian seasoning to the bowl.
- Process the mixture: Blend the ingredients in the food processor until the tomatoes and garlic are fully broken down and evenly incorporated into the butter, forming a smooth, flavorful compound butter.
- Freeze the butter: Spoon the tomato butter into an ice cube tray for portioning. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. Once hardened, pop out the butter cubes and store them in a clean, dry container in the freezer or refrigerator for future use.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to ensure easy blending.
- Removing tomato seeds helps prevent excess water in the butter, keeping it creamy and spreadable.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Tomato Butter cubes can be used to enhance the flavor of grilled meats, steamed vegetables, or fresh bread.
- Store the butter cubes tightly sealed to avoid freezer burn and preserve freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
