Homemade Butter

 

One of the class experiments that my kids rave about for months after they experience it is always butter-making.  It will usually be around the Fall and either their teacher or one of those really fun moms will bring in baggies or little jars of cream for the kids to shake up until it turns into a beautiful, luscious, creamy BUTTER!!!   I have I mentioned that I adore butter!   

Butter has gotten a pretty bad rap over the years.  Contrary to popular belief, it actually contains nutrients that are GOOD for your heart like Vitamin A, Vitamin K, antioxidants and lecithin.  The kicker...the levels of these vitamins are very low in the average stick of butter found on the grocery store shelf.  If you are looking for a healthy version of butter, buy grass-fed.  

Why grass-fed?  Because in some grain-fed butters, these vitamins are lacking completely.  High levels of these vitamins can be found in grass-fed butters.  Do a quick experiment at home.  Buy a stick of grass-fed and one of the regular grocery store sticks.  Open them up and look at the color.  This in itself will show you the major difference.  

Why is the grass-fed so yellow?  It's the higher levels of carotene and Vitamin A (like carrots).  I think it is so fun that the level of vitamins is actually visible to the eye!!!  Quality grass-fed butter comes from cows that eat a more nutrient rich diet.  They are eating what God designed them to eat--grass.

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate--bringing forth food from the earth...   Psalms 104:14 

You can find grass-fed (pastured) butter in most grocery stores.  I just made my own, because I had some grass-fed cream that needed to be used up and...it's fun!

HOMEMADE BUTTER RECIPE

Are you ready for this...it's the hardest thing ever (just kidding).

Pour cream into bowl.  Beat with mixer until the fat separates from the liquid (past the stage of whipped cream).  Strain off the liquid (buttermilk) and Enjoy!!!

I used the buttermilk to make some muffins, and then put the butter on the muffins...heaven!!!

Happy Butter Making!! 

 

Here's a qui