I love this tasty butter to serve in the spring. If you grow mint there is always enough. If you are buying it for the Derby Day mint juleps on the first of May, save an extra cup for this mint butter.

This butter adds delicious zip to vegetables, especially cooked carrots and peas.

I watched a chef on a schooner near Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, Bahama Islands, prepare this simple spread. Soon the Hill Team will sail out of Rockland, Maine aboard the historic windjammer, the Stephen Tabor.

Mint or basil butter is a simple treat to make before a boat or camping trip. It adds a touch of elegance to an outdoor meal of fish, pasta or meat.

If you change the mint for fresh basil this spread will be delicious on grilled lobster, with steamers and smeared on hot corn on the cob.

Mint and Basil Butters
Ingredients
1 cup of butter–we like sweet, unsalted, lightly softened
1 cup fresh mint leaves (or basil)
4 tbsp lemon juice

Method
Rub the butter and mint or basil leaves into a paste.
Add lemon juice and beat until creamy.
Store in covered container in the refrigerator.

Tips:
Try basil butter for a different topping on fish, shrimp scampi, potatoes, or egg dishes.
Spread basil butter on French bread halves and broil as in garlic bread, with or without the garlic.
We like to add a few dollops of mint butter to any roast lamb dish, for example in mashed potatoes, peas, or pureed parsnips.


Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Where & What in the World Blog

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book”

Brenda Hill
Author: Brenda Hill

As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.