How to make Ghee from butter

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Ghee or clarified butter is an essential part of Indian cooking. Most of the households swear by its medicinal properties and we must definitely thank our ancestors and their knowledge as documented in Ayurveda. It is definitely liquid gold not just in color but also its medicinal benefits.

These days many countries in the world make it locally like Canada, Australia, NZ apart from INDIA. The popularity of ghee can be known from the fact that we can find it in Costco and even local super markets. Learn to make it easily at home by using butter in the below steps.

How do we use ghee?

It is used in variety of sweets. It gives a great flavor to curries and lentils too. In fact, in some houses, tempering is done only in ghee. It is added to dough of flatbreads and even enhances the flavor of rice.

When we add ghee to rice or wheat, it lowers the glycemic index. Thus, helps prevent sudden increase of sugar in blood.

It is great for hair and moisturizing dry skin. Applying it a little on dry lips or chapped skin helps it restore them.

How to make ghee?

Initially, it was prepared by storing left over full fat milk cream at home.(Ref How to make ghee from Cream.) The hectic life gave way to buying it from the local dairy or supermarket. However, with adulteration going up, people are now swinging back to their roots and preparing it at home. If you stay abroad or do not have an access to dairy or simply want to eat healthier, use the below method. It is a simple recipe with step wise photos. How to make Ghee from butter (and you know what goes in your food).

You can also use the leftover solids or Khurchan to make a yummy curry. Vegetables like lauki(Long melon) or Tinda(Round melon) are cooked with it.

Which butter is best for making ghee?

Salted or unsalted both work. However, unsalted is better.

Benefits of ghee

It is suitable even for people with lactose intolerance(Please check with your doctor before including it in your diet.)
It has a high smoking point and is low in fat.
Aids digestion, is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A,K,E,D.
Has anti-cancer properties and is beneficial for thyroid disorders.
Great for bones and moisturizes skin and hair.
It even helps lose weight when you eat in moderation.
It improves immunity.

Equipment

Saucepan
Sieve
Clean and dry jar

Ingredients

Unsalted butter

How to make ghee from unsalted butter?

Melt the butter on a low flame in a saucepan.
Let it get frothy.
You can see bubbles form as it cooks further.
It will clear slowly.
Strain it and store in a clean glass jar once it cools.

Substitution

You can also make it from cream instead of butter.

Storage

Store it in a clean dry glass jar for best results at room temperature.

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