Basic Herb and Garlic Butter Baste

By AzWench

The virtue of this aromatic concoction lies in its simplicity. Brush it on almost anything: grilled bread slices (to make garlic bread); grilled shrimp, scallops, or fish (to keep them moist); grilled pork, veal, and lamb chops; chicken breasts; and every imaginable sort of grilled vegetable or starch (such as polenta).

Ingredients

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or cilantro
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, parsley, and pepper, and cook until the garlic is sizzling and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown. Remove the pan from the heat. Use immediately, or cover, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.

To Make a Great Dish Even Better

For seafood, customize this mixture by whisking in a tablespoon of lemon juice once the butter’s been removed from the stove.