Homemade Garlic Butter with Parmesan & Basil from Super-Italian

"The beauty of flavored butters like this is that they are at their best when made ahead so you have them at your disposal to add to veggies, fish, potatoes, or rice at any time. I like to store mine in the freezer and grate them, because the little bits incorporate so easily. If you prefer to use it by the slice, you can refrigerate it or transfer it from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan to use it."

- Giada De Laurentiis

Sometimes we just wanna play around and Noah will drop everything to hang out with me in the kitchen. So when I invited him to make homemade garlic butter with parmesan and basil he said, "Mom, who makes butter? Sure."

He thoroughly enjoyed himself while cracking jokes.

Learn more about how to cook with kids.

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Super-Italian

This homemade garlic butter with parmesan and basil comes from Super-Italian: More Than 110 Indulgent Recipes Using Italy's Healthiest Foods by Giada De Laurentiis.

Of course, the most obvious benefit to getting your nutrients from the end of a fork rather than out of a bottle is taste. Turns out that the things that are good for you are also the most delicious. Nature is smart that way.

And so are Italian cooks, who have a long tradition of eating in a more nutrient-dense way than most Americans. When Southern Italian cooks incorporate anchovies or colatura into dishes, it's a healthier, less fatty way to add flavor than loading them down with cheese or salt.

Finishing off a soup with a drizzle of oil or fortifying a pasta dish with olives or a nutty pesto contributes a little good fat to an already healthful dish, and it benefits your hair, skins, and nails. Italians have been cooking this way for centuries, and it's something that my parents always reinforced throughout my childhood.

How to Make Garlic Butter with Parmesan & Basil

Ingredients

• basil - fresh basil leaves are best. Giada warns against the overpriced hydroponic stems available in winter, as they don't have enough flavor
• garlic - just 1 small garlic clove is needed for this flavorful butter
• butter - unsalted butter at room temperature is all you need
• cheese - grab your favorite Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for this homemade garlic butter
• salt - Kosher salt is recommended

Equipment

• prep bowls
• child-friendly knife
• chef knife
• butcher block
• box grater
• small pan
• spider strainer
• blender
• measuring spoon
• parchment paper
• spatula

Prep the Butter & Cheese

Wash your hands with soap and water. Use a box grater to grate the cheese. Use a knife and cutting board to cut the butter into chunks. Transfer them to clean bowls and set aside.

There's nothing more humorous to Noah than slicing butter to make butter and being in a playful mood, used a spatula to pile up chunks of butter before turning his attention to the basil.

Blanch the Basil

Cut the stems off the basil as needed. Fill a large bowl with water and ice.

Fill a pot with salted water and turn the stove to high. Once it is boiling, add the basil to the pot. Blanch for 15 to 20 seconds while stirring to ensure all of the basil leaves are submerged in the water.

Remove the basil from the pan and transfer to the ice bath.

Drain the leaves again while pressing out the extra water.

Blend the Basil

Transfer the basil to the blender and blend.

Add the Garlic & Butter

Grate the garlic over the blender using a box grater. Add the butter to the blender. Blend until the butter is creamy and everything is mixed.

Add the Cheese & Salt

Add the cheese to the blender. Use a measuring spoon to add the salt to the blender and blend.

Shape the Butter Into Logs

Transfer ½ of the butter to one sheet of parchment paper and ½ to the other. Lift the paper up and drop it on the counter to release any air.

Use a spatula to shape it into a log.

Roll the butter up tightly. Twist the ends to seal it.

Kaia couldn't wait to try out this specialty butter on some toast and gave it her seal of approval.

Giada recommends serving with steamed or sautéed vegetables; popcorn; rice, pasta, or potatoes; roast chicken (under the skin); pan sauces; scrambled eggs; toast or ham sandwich.

Free Homemade Garlic Butter Recipe for Pre-Readers & Up