Skip to main content
Epicurious

Fines Herbes Butter

Ingredients

1 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup each packed stemmed spinach and watercress leaves
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chervil, tarragon, basil, dill, thyme, or sorrel (either a single herb or in any combination)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter

Preparation

  1. Chop together 1 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, 1/4 cup each packed stemmed spinach and watercress leaves, and 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh chives. Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh chervil, tarragon, basil, dill, thyme, or sorrel (either a single herb or in any combination) and chop again to blend the flavors. Put in a bowl and mix in 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon anchovy paste. Add 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter until the herbs have been thoroughly blended and the butter is completely green. [Editor: Melt a tablespoon of this butter on top of grilled lamb chops or fish, or stir into plain cooked vegetables.]

From The Essential James Beard Cookbook: 450 Recipes That Shaped the Tradition of American Cooking by James Beard. Copyright © 2012 by Reed College and John Ferrone. Published by St. Martin's Press.
TagsCondimentFrenchEuropeanParsleyHerbs & SpicesSpinachLeafy GreensVegetableChiveWatercressGluten FreeVegetarianNut FreeEasyMake AheadNo-CookCookbooks

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Béchamel Sauce
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Chicken Meatballs With Sesame Green Beans
Baking meatballs and green beans on two sides of the same sheet pan streamlines the cooking process for this saucy, savory dinner.
Dulce de Leche
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Sun Gold Tomato Pasta With Pistachio Gremolata
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.