How to Make Drawn Butter (Tutorial)

December26

King Crab Legs: http://mom.me/food/16627-king-crab-legs-drawn-butter/If you’re having a small New Year’s gathering (or if it’s just the two of you), I’ve got a great suggestion: King Crab Legs with Drawn Butter.King Crab Legs: http://mom.me/food/16627-king-crab-legs-drawn-butter/

Easy. Elegant. Oh, yes, a bit expensive (which makes it extra special!).

King Crab is sweet and delicious, and unless you live in Alaska or further up north, it’s already cooked (and frozen) when you buy it. All you have to do is thaw, reheat and eat!

There are several ways to prepare King Crab, but I like to steam-reheat them in the oven. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it, click here.

Because this is a special night, I like to serve them with drawn butter (also called clarified butter). Drawn butter is butter that has been melted with the milk solids removed. You can also season it with herbs or lemon juice if you like. Drawn butter is also great to drizzle onto steamed vegetables.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for How To Make Drawn Butter:

Clarified Butter

prep: 5 minutes
cook: 15 minutes

serves 6, 2 tablespoons each

you’ll need… 

½ pound butter

let’s get to it…

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan on low heat.

How To Make Drawn Butter... a step-by-step tutorial! http://mamashighstrung.com/blog/?p=11073

2. Milk solids (in the form of white foam) will cloud the top: DO NOT STIR.

How To Make Drawn Butter... a step-by-step tutorial! http://mamashighstrung.com/blog/?p=11073

3. When butter is completely melted and small bubbles  begin to form around the edge, turn off heat. Let stand 3 minutes.

How To Make Drawn Butter... a step-by-step tutorial! http://mamashighstrung.com/blog/?p=11073

4. With a small ladle or spoon, skim off the milk solids.

How To Make Drawn Butter... a step-by-step tutorial! http://mamashighstrung.com/blog/?p=11073

5. You’ve made drawn butter! Try not to disturb any milk solids remaining on the bottom of the saucepan when you pour it bowls for dipping the crab.

How To Make Drawn Butter... a step-by-step tutorial! http://mamashighstrung.com/blog/?p=11073

 

For more Kitchen How-To and Tips, Check out my Extra Helpings Tab!

 


What’s The Difference Between Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream?

July24

Blanca asks: “If a recipe asks for coconut milk can I use coconut cream instead?”

If you’re talking about that amazing stuff you use to make those deliciously boozy Piña Coladas that we all love… then the answer is no. Absolutely not. You’ll end up with something way too sweet.

Let’s start at the beginning. Coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut water and cream of coconut are used in tons of recipes in Latin American and Asian cuisines. Sometimes they can be used interchangeably, but you need to carefully read the label. (We’ll assume you’re not making fresh coconut milk from whole coconuts, right?)Coconut Milk-Mama's High Strung

Speaking of fresh coconuts, I know a woman from the Philippines who can open a coconut like she’s opening a peanut. But that’s not you and me, Blanca, like most people, we have to rely on cans or cartons, so here we go:

Coconut milk is a little bit thicker and creamier than cow’s milk. It’s made by pouring equal parts of boiling hot water over the freshly grated meat of a brown coconut. The mixture is pressed to release as much liquid as possible, then cooled and strained. Coconut milk is gently fruity and rich because of the high oil content. Most of the fat is saturated fat. It’s has a very subtle sweetness, although canned varieties may have added sugar and preservatives. Coconut milk is often used in savory dishes in Coconut Cream-Mama's High Strungplace of tomato sauce and as a broth in sauces and soups. Always shake the can before using.

Coconut cream has a paste-like density because it contains less water. It’s made the same way as coconut milk, but the ratio of grated coconut meat to water is higher, about four parts coconut to one part water. After it is strained, refrigerated and allowed to set, the smooth coconut cream is skimmed off the top of the coconut milk. There is barely any sweetness with coconut cream, but the coconut flavor is marvelous. Think of it this way: Coconut cream is to coconut milk what condensed milk is to regular milk… thicker and richer. It’s also sold in wax-like blocks.Coconut Water - Mama's High Strung

Coconut water comes from the liquid inside green coconuts. It’s an excellent thirst quencher. A great source of potassium, coconut water has become the darling of the sports world. It’s packed with naturally occurring minerals and essential electrolytes. It’s not sweet, but is amazingly delicious. Coconut water, straight from a real coconut is tremendously popular in the tropics as an on-the-go drink. Here’s a video from an open market in Grenada:

Cream of Coconut - Mama's High Strung

Finally, cream of coconut is coconut milk that contains sweeteners, emulsifiers and thickeners. It’s used in sweet fruity drinks and desserts. I wouldn’t use this when making savory dishes, but you definitely CAN use it to make a fun cocktail to serve with those savory dishes!

So you see, there is a big difference between coconut milk and coconut cream (as well as coconut water and cream of coconut!). Thanks for asking, Blanca!

If you love coconut as much as I do, check out these recipes:

Coconut Raspberry Ice Pops

Glorious Morning Glory Bread

Holiday Rice Pudding

Dream Cookie Bars


Vietnamese Beef Stew

July9

I know what you’re thinking: “A stew. Really? When it’s so hot and muggy?”

Mama's High Strung- Vietnamese Beef Stew Yes… because this Vietnamese Beef Stew proves that it IS possible for a stew to be light, and, dare I say it, refreshing.

It’s the star anise and cinnamon combination that lifts this stew above the ordinary and gives it a playful summery flavor. Simmering it for hours tenderizes an otherwise tough cut of meat and allows the flavors to deepen and develop.

My inspiration for this stew comes from a similar dish I devoured at James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd’s restaurant, Underbelly, in Houston.

I prepared this recipe on top of the stove in my Pauli Cookware. You can also cook it in a crockpot, so that after being out of the house all day enjoying summer, you’ll have a great dinner waiting for you at home!

Star anise is a key ingredient in this dish… read more about it in my post “What is Star Anise?”
Here’s another delicious dish I think you’ll enjoy… Seafood Cioppino.


Hi…
I’m Christina Chavez

I was a TV journalist for many years, but with a house full of kids I decided to come off the road, go to culinary school and follow my passion for cooking. Mama’s High Strung is all about food… everything from creative recipe ideas to some really cool kitchen gadgets and cooking tips. I live in Chicago, but I love to travel and write about my food discoveries! You can reach me by email: mamashighstrung@gmail.com