Compound Butters

Compound butters are a secret weapon of the culinary world. Rich, divinely decadent butter mixed with bold ingredients provides an easy way to infuse a simply prepared meat, fish, or vegetable with complex flavor. They can be both a schmear and a sauce and will lift whatever they top to a new level. Leftover compound butter, well wrapped, will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or for 3 months in the freezer. Each recipe makes about 1 pound of compound butter.