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):
- Dice the Bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces. This should take about 2 minutes.
- Measure the Butter: Ensure you have one stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter ready.
- 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):
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced bacon to the skillet and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- 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):
- Add the stick of butter to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- 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.
- Be cautious not to burn the butter; once it starts to brown, it can quickly go from perfect to burnt.
Combine (1 minute):
- Once the butter is browned, return the cooked bacon to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through for another minute.
Optional Add-Ins:
- For added flavor, stir in fresh herbs like minced thyme or sage during the last minute of browning the butter.
- Alternatively, add minced garlic right before adding the bacon back in, cooking just until fragrant.
- A splash of lemon juice can be added at the end to brighten the flavors.
Serve:
- 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
