Compound butter is one of those seemingly unnecessary items that make life so much easier. Once you start using this in your food preparations, you’ll never want to go back – the flavor of your food will be better, and you’ll save tons of measuring time.

Dried herbs many be substituted for fresh, but if you’re looking for bang-for-the-buck, you’ll want to use fresh herbs. If you choose to use dried, reduce the herbs by 2/3rds (divide by 3).

2 pounds salted butter
5 Tbsp fresh chives
5 Tbsp fresh thyme
4 Tbsp fresh sage
2 tsp rosemary

Instructions
Chop all the herbs and optional red pepper in the bowl of your food processor until very finely minced. Add the butter and blend till smooth. Alternately, chop the herbs and pepper extra fine and beat in the bowl of your mixer till well blended, or knead together. You can make this ahead. Use anywhere you’re using fat in savoury cooking.