Ghee

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Ghee is used in the making of rotis, biryani's & many sweet & savory dishes. I mainly use it for roti & occasionally add a tablespoon to curries or dhall. For those not familiar with Indian cooking, ghee is clarified butter. A description of how ghee is made is included, taught to me by my mother. If you do not want to make ghee, you may use regular butter.

Ghee can be made ahead of time. Many cooks use spoonfuls of ghee to add to the rich flavor of curries. Because of health reasons this is not promoted on a regular basis, but using 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter or ghee occasionally, (perhaps for a special occasion), does enhance the taste of dishes, without adding to your waistline. But it is best that you follow your doctors orders and avoid using ghee or butter if it will lead to health problems.

Ghee does not have to be refrigerated but if you have not used it in over a month you should refrigerate it as it can get rancid

Ghee

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Ingredients

  • 16 oz butter

Method

  • Remove wrapper and put butter into a deep microwave-proof bowl
  • Melt butter in microwave for 1 min. on high
  • Ensure that the contents do not overflow
  • Microwave for another minute. It should be “foamy”, melted with no solid pieces
  • Put this bowl into the refrigerator to harden
  • When it is hard, use a spoon to scrape off the creamy stuff on the top. Save this. Next use a knife to cut the block of ghee. You will find some milky looking water at the bottom. Now remove the block and store it in a bottle or bowl but not in the refrigerator.
  • When it melts it is a soft rich yellow color. This is ghee. Use the ghee in amounts called for in recipes
  • I do not waste the stuff from the top or the water. Use the water as part of the water for roti dough. I add the creamy stuff to curries and then lower the amount of salt in the curry as the creamy stuff is salty.
soft yellow ghee

soft ghee ready to use



solid butter or ghee

Melted butter which has been placed in fridge to ease separation of water and butter or ghee.

Conclusion

Ghee can be used in several dishes. It is cheaper to make your own.

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