Thursday, April 7, 2011

Better Butter and a Giveaway!

You may have noticed a bit of a theme around here. There’s be a lot of reference to the upcoming Royal Wedding Party and our party prep. It might sound like we (and I mean the royal we) are a bit obsessed – but really we’re not… it only seems that way. We are taking the opportunity to spruce up (clean) and hone our skills at “preparing ahead of time” rather than at 2 AM the night before an event. (Since televised coverage will begin at 4 AM…)

A benefit of this forethought, foresight and forework (I don’t think that last one is a real word…) is yummy stuff before the event as well as after.

This is one of the easiest recipes I have and it’s a super simple detail that will take your brunch, afternoon tea or just breakfast biscuit in bed to the “I-went-to-some-trouble-here” level. (To any men sneaking in here to read: did you catch that subliminal message?)

Gather your ingredients and tools:

  • 1 stick butter (or 50/50 butter blend)
  • 1 large, fresh smelling orange
  • Honey to taste (at least a couple of Tablespoons)
  • Citrus zester
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Small spatula or knife (I like to use this alginate or stone mixing spatula leftover from my dental hygiene, or was it dental assisting? days… We’ll learn how to take dental impressions later…)

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Set your butter in your mixing bowl to soften. It you set it in the sun or under your halogen under-cabinet lights it will soften faster.

Thoroughly wash your orange. You can use a vegetable wash but I just use my dish washing soap (the healthy stuff I buy from Melaleuca without all the poisons in it.)

Zest your entire orange using short strokes – you don’t want long threads. I love my Pampered Chef Zester/Scorer. Please ignore the dirty fingernails on the hand model below. Hey – how many 13 year old boys know how to properly zest an orange? Or anything else for that matter…

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Isn’t it beautiful? It smells WONDERFUL!Blog Food 169

Next whip your butter up with your spatula and then start adding honey. I probably use about 2-3 Tablespoons per stick of butter. Mix it until it’s nice and smooth.

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Stir in your orange zest and you’re done! After a day or two the flavor is really great – it intensifies just a little.Blog Food 172

While it’s still nice and soft, I put it in a zip top baggie, cut off one corner and squeeze it into a pretty little dish (that’s nicer looking than smearing it in with a knife or spatula.

Don’t you just love my cute little covered butter dish? I got it last year in Canton at Laurie Anna’s Vintage Home booth. You can get them at her online store as well. I got two – one for each end of the table or for two differently flavored butters. I think they’re a perfect blend of contemporary and vintage and look great on a table dressed either way.P3120285

So yummy on a fresh scone, biscuit, french bread toast, muffin, pancake, waffle… Pretty much any carb you can fathom.P3120263

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In the spirit of all things orange and my upcoming tea party – I have a giveaway today!DSCN0063Wouldn’t you like to win this sweet little citrine colored beauty? And the Stash Lemon Ginger Tea AND the Lemon Tea Cookies? It’s like your very own Calgon moment waiting to happen… Just without the bathtub…

All you have to do is subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment letting me know. If you’re already a subscriber, just leave a comment telling me so.  If you Tweet, blog or post about this giveaway on Facebook, come back and leave me another comment and that will give you an extra entry.

Be sure I have a way to contact you if you’re the winner. I’ll leave this little contest open until Tuesday, April 12 at 11:59 PM.

DON’T FORGET – YOUR COMMENT IS YOUR ENTRY(S)!

I know it all seems like shameless promotion, but that’s only because that’s what it is. Keep checking back… I’m in a generous mood lately and I’ve got several little pretties to hand out…

I’m linking up to the parties at:

17 comments:

  1. I collect tea things, so I would absolutely love to win this! Oh, and I'm already a follower. : )

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  2. I just posted it on Twitter!

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  3. First off - Thanks for linking up to Foodie Friday. Oh, and if you haven’t done so already - don’t forget to pop on over to Little Brick Ranch to enter the GIVEAWAY!!! I’ll give you a hint...Homes, Food, and all things Frugal!!

    also - I am your newest follower so get me entered, Lady!! :)

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  4. I am posting this in my Giveaway Button on my side bar...Ill also put the word out in todays post to let people know to check there for your giveaway! :)

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  5. hi sarah
    shared this on my fb page-love your blog!
    anne

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  6. I wish I lived closer to come to your parties!!

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  7. I already subscribe cause well I love ya ;)

    Hugs,
    :) Heather

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  8. I subscribed and I'm looking forward to reading more!

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  9. I also tweeted about the giveaway!

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  10. I love lemon anything! Your party sounds like it will be great! Lisa~

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  11. I'm already subscribed too...I love your giveaway since I love anything with lemon!!! :0)

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  12. Love the recipe! I will try it today as I happen to have oranges sitting in a pretty bowl in front of me! I think the only thing I'm missing is a recipe for scones...though I'm sure if i look you've posted that also!! Hugs to you!

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  13. Kim - YES - there's a link where it says "fresh scones" and also on my Recipe page (see the tab at the top. It's a super easy scone with nothing fancy in it - just plain so it doesn't compete with your accompaniments :0)

    Sara

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  14. Well of course you already know that I'm a follower... Lemon is my second favorite to chocolate! Yum. Gonna share this on my FB page also. :-)

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  15. I'm here!!! I got out of bed just to enter!! I'm a subscriber :)

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Thanks for stopping by. It warms my heart that you would take the time to comment. Well... If you said something nice it warms my heart...

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