Browned Butter with Bacon

Total Time:

• Preparation Time: 4-5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 13-17 minutes
• Total Time: 17-22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113g) unsalted butter
• 4 slices of bacon, diced
• Optional: fresh herbs (such as thyme or sage), minced garlic, or a splash of lemon juice for added flavor

Instructions:

Prep Work (4-5 minutes):

1. Dice the Bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces. This should take about 2 minutes.
2. Measure the Butter: Ensure you have one stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter ready.
3. Optional: Mince any fresh herbs or garlic if you plan to add them. This should take about 2 minutes.

Cook the Bacon (7-9 minutes):

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the diced bacon to the skillet and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.

Brown the Butter (5-7 minutes):

1. Add the stick of butter to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.
2. The butter will melt, then foam, and finally start to brown. Stir continuously and watch carefully until the butter turns a golden brown color and has a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. Be cautious not to burn the butter; once it starts to brown, it can quickly go from perfect to burnt.

Combine (1 minute):

1. Once the butter is browned, return the cooked bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through for another minute.

Optional Add-Ins:

1. For added flavor, stir in fresh herbs like minced thyme or sage during the last minute of browning the butter.
2. Alternatively, add minced garlic right before adding the bacon back in, cooking just until fragrant.
3. A splash of lemon juice can be added at the end to brighten the flavors.

Serve:

1. Use immediately as a sauce or topping for your favorite dishes, such as vegetables, pasta, mashed potatoes, or meat.

Nutritional Information (per serving, assuming 4 servings):

• Calories: 250
• Total Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 250mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 0g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 4g