Flavored Butters: How to Make Them, Shape Them, and Use Them as Spreads, Toppings, and Sauces

Flavored butters, also called compound butters, have a multitude of uses. They make a plain baguette or artisan loaf come alive with flavor; they complement a hearty breakfast muffin or delicate scone; they serve as quick-fix sauces for a piece of fish, meat or a bowl of pasta; and they brighten an artichoke or a serving of green beans in surprising ways. We often see flavored butters as an elegant touch to bread service in restaurants, but there are plenty more varieties and uses that are ea…