For a ladies’ luncheon for the Duchess of Rutland, visiting from Belvoir Castle, I placed heart-shaped butter on the guest’s butter plates. (The candles are lit just to add ambiance to the photograph. The tradition in the USA is not to light them before dusk!)
In a dash? I usually am! I enjoy cooking for my dinner parties, which is my way of showing love. But, when my travel and time do not allow me to, and a caterer is a must, I still try to make the dessert, create the floral arrangement, and add one more little detail that graces the table. What could it be?
I use a butter mold so that each person’s individual butter plate has a uniquely shaped piece of butter on it. This is incredibly easy to do and can be prepared in advance, then frozen until your party. One and done!
Butter molds have been used since the 18th century and were traditionally made of wood, used by dairy farmers. Their stamped designs indicated their farms and added visual appeal. And today, there are fanciful molds for individual shapes made of silicone. A multitude of designs can be found in specialty kitchen suppliers online, and customized molds can be ordered on Etsy.
In our historic Georgian house in Glastonbury, CT, the Brunschwig & Fils documentary wallpaper in our dining room featured a few butterflies, hence a butterfly mold, which now complements our Queen Victoria Herend porcelain plates. And I also have a fox head mold for Fox Worth, our place in Palm Beach.
While shopping for Valentine's gifts for my grandchildren, I spied a heart-shaped silicone ice cube mold for petite ice cubes, which can also be easily used for butter molds. Can you spy the fox head mold next to it?
I find silicone molds extremely pliable, making them the most manageable vessel to use when removing frozen butter (as seen in my video HERE). They can also be placed in the dishwasher.
First, I allow a stick of butter to come to room temperature, then spread it into the molds, and freeze. Add saran wrap on top to keep the butter fresh. Remove from the freezer, bend and snap it out, and place one or two on everyone’s butter plate before your guests arrive. (Or, have your caterer place them while the dinner is prepared.)
GrandMillennial Tips:
If you don’t have time to make the butter molds, just slice pieces of butter lengthwise from the rectangular stick, then cut them in half, creating two triangles.
Place a stick of butter into some saran wrap, and roll the softened butter into a log shape. Chill and cut into rounds.
Butter is even more appealing when it has a touch of greenery on or next to it. As long as I have been entertaining, I try to place a little sprig of rosemary, parsley, mint, or even a tiny leaf or flower (from a non-poisonous plant) on or near the butter.
Just a touch of green makes the butter sing!
Have you heard of a butter curler? It appears to be a metal hook with one serrated side. My advice: avoid it! I find it challenging to master this instrument, so I use my easy silicone molds instead.
These butterballs were presented to me by the waiter at Renato’s Restaurant off Worth Avenue. Restaurants use these for the perfect “butterball shape.” They can be purchased pre-made online.
Oh, I am happy to announce an upcoming event! I do hope you’ll join me! I am hosting another private luncheon at Fox Hall in Farmington, Connecticut, on July 20th. Do keep an eye out for the invitation, which will be sent to your email this week. Last year, I was honored that the spaces filled up very quickly, and I hope that you can attend. (And butter will be served!)
Xx Holly
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