Citrus-Chile Butter

Jalapenos are the most popular chile peppers in the US. This is probably due to the availability and versatility of the chile. Jalapenos have a balanced combination of flavor and heat.

The demand for these have caused breeders to develop a broad range of varieties. You can now get jalapenos with various heat level and sizes. These can be used in salsas, stuffed, or eaten straight with cheeseburgers (my personal favorite).

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Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons lime zest
2 tablespoons lemon zest
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon seeded and minced jalapeño pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

Stir together butter, lime zest, lemon zest, minced garlic, jalapeño pepper, and chopped fresh thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve, or shape into a log with plastic wrap, and freeze up to 1 month.

Recipe by Shawn Cirkiel, Parkside, Austin, Texas, Southern Living. AUGUST 2011