garlic butter
Definition
Noun: A soft, spreadable preparation made by blending butter with crushed or minced garlic, used as a seasoning, spread, or cooking ingredient.
Usage
"Garlic butter" is used as a mass noun. It refers to the combined substance itself. * It is commonly used as a spread for bread, a topping for cooked meats and vegetables, or a base for sauces. * It can be served melted or softened.
Examples
- The restaurant served warm bread with garlic butter.
- For the recipe, you will need to melt two tablespoons of garlic butter in a pan.
- She made a simple garlic butter by mixing softened butter with fresh garlic and parsley.
Advanced Usage
- Compound Preparation: While "garlic butter" is a standard culinary term, it can be modified with additional herbs (e.g., parsley, chives) or ingredients (e.g., lemon juice, Parmesan cheese). The core term remains "garlic butter," with the additions described separately (e.g., "garlic butter with herbs").
- As a Cooking Medium: In professional cooking, garlic butter is sometimes used to finish a dish, where it is whisked into a hot pan to create a quick, flavorful sauce.
Variants and Related Words
- Compound Butter: This is the general category for butter mixed with other ingredients. Garlic butter is a specific type of compound butter.
- Beurre à l'ail: The French term for garlic butter.
Synonyms
- Seasoned butter (when specified with garlic)
- Garlic-infused butter
Related Phrases
- To make garlic butter: The process of creating the mixture.
- Example: It's easy to make garlic butter at home.
- Garlic butter sauce: A liquid sauce made by melting garlic butter, often with the addition of wine, stock, or cream.
- Example: The shrimp were served in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Noun
-
butter seasoned with mashed garlic
