A Child-friendly Recipe

This is a fun recipe that children from age 3 and up can assist with.  Once you have the basic idea you can be imaginative with the ingredients.   Experiment with different herbs.  There are lots that are suitable to use in this recipe (like basil, mint or oregano).  And remember ... only a little herb butter is needed to give lots of flavour. 

HERB BUTTER SHAPES

Utensils -

A mixing bowl

1 wooden spoon

Some small cookie cutters

1 citrus zester

1 or 2 small trays lined with baking paper

1 clean dry cloth or kitchen paper towel

Ingredients -

A 250 g block of butter

3 or 4 sprigs of thyme leaves (or other fresh herbs)

1 whole orange with the skin on

Method -

Take the butter out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes to soften slightly

Wash the thyme sprigs and pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth

Now strip the thyme leaves off the stalks by running your thumb and fore-finger up the stalk

Discard the stalks and only keep the leaves

Wash the orange and pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel

Use the citrus zester to scrape tiny pieces of orange peel from the orange - avoid the bitter white pith

Cut the butter into small pieces and place into the mixing bowl

Add the thyme leaves and orange peel zest to the butter

Now mix the thyme leaves, orange zest and butter together with a wooden spoon

The butter should be smooth with lots of little green and orange flecks all through it

Spread the butter thickly onto a small tray lined with baking paper

Place the tray in the refrigerator until the butter is firm (for about 10 minutes) 

Use the cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the butter

Place the herb butter shapes onto a clean paper lined tray and cover with plastic film 

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for later use

Serve with fresh crusty bread, or with your favourite vegetables, like new potatoes, or steamed green beans and carrot slices ...  Delicious!