Cookbook Review: Butter A Rich History
I received a review copy of this cookbook for review. These are my thoughts & opinions on the book. Sponsored Content & Affiliate Program Participation
For many butter is a simple baking ingredient, something to spread on toast or used to add some delicious flavour and fat to a dish. Elaine Khosrova’s book Butter: A Rich History dives into the humble beginnings of butter through travel stories and recipes.
About the book
It’s a culinary catalyst, an agent of change, a gastronomic rock star. Ubiquitous in the world’s most fabulous cuisines, butter is boss.
Butter, a rich history – elaine khosrova
Butter is butter. I’ve heard this sentiment many times, but bakers and pastry chefs will tell you differently. There are different amounts of fat and water content, the origin of the milk imparts unique flavour and what you do with the butter changes the outcome of baked goods. Nutritionists will talk about the nutritional value of butter based on the origins – milk from grass-fed cows is best. Homesteaders and those who make their own butter at home talk about unique properties, whether to use salt or not, and how to store homemade butter.
In her book Elaine Khosrova, dives into history and stories around butter based on her travels and research, and shares recipes using her knowledge and background as a former pastry student at the Culinary Institute of America and BS in food and nutrition.
From vintage butter making equipment, learning Tibetan butter carving from former Buddhist nuns, and the origins and chemistry of the milk this book will take you through many layers of butter to give you a deep appreciation for this simple ingredient.
Recipes
Almost half of this book is dedicated to butter-rich recipes. You can start with an easy recipe, as I did, and make compound butter. I took the premise of compound butter as listed in the book and used flavours that I had at home – some sweet and some savoury. There is a recipe for ghee, which I have made many times before, spiced clarified butter and browned butter.
This book also contains some more complex recipes like puff pastry and savoury recipes like hollandaise.
It’s a good, educational read and it’s a cookbook all in one!
