51 ghee recipes

Butter in India is called makkhan. Clarified butter, instead of being called makkhan ghee, is called usli ghee (usli means "real" or "pure," which in this context refers to the real or original fat of the ancient Indians). Clarified butter or usli ghee is essentially French brown butter with the brown residue strained off. Usli ghee has a light caramel color and a heavenly aroma. Since there is no moisture present, it keeps well covered, at room temperature, for several months.

Ginger broccoli soup steeps fresh grated ginger in vegetable stock with cayenne and lemon, then simmers broccoli florets just to tender. A vibrant, brothy bowl with Ayurvedic roots, ready in 40 minutes.

Sada naan is soft, pillowy homemade Indian flatbread leavened with yeast and yogurt, brushed with ghee and scattered with poppy and sesame seeds. Bake it in a home oven, no tandoor required.

Gow gees are crispy fried Chinese dumplings filled with pork, shrimp, dried mushrooms, and scallions. Served with classic homemade sweet and sour sauce. Makes 48 for a crowd.

A chapti (whole-wheat roti) stuffed with paneer (farmers cheese) enriched with Indian spices.

Kuo Fan Gee Chiu is a Szechuan-style diced chicken stir-fry with dried red chilis, bamboo shoots, and straw mushrooms. Velveted chicken, no-bland heat.

Bhartha, a classic Indian curried eggplant roasted until smoky and tender, then cooked down with tomatoes, onions, and ghee. Finished with fresh coriander.

Flaky whole wheat paratha made with ghee-layered dough, rolled, folded, and griddle-fried until crisp and golden. Just 3 ingredients for authentic Indian flatbread at home.

Hasenoehrle: traditional German "bunny ears" fried dough dusted with cinnamon sugar. A crispy, rustic Fastnacht pastry made from a simple egg-and-milk noodle dough.

Punjabi besan kofta curry with crispy chickpea flour dumplings stuffed with dried plums, simmered in a rich tomato-onion gravy with garam masala and ghee. A show-stopping vegetarian main dish from North Indian kitchens.

Kaesmus or Rallenmus (German cheese mush): a rustic Swabian dish of tiny flour-and-egg crumbs simmered in milk with cheese and topped with browned onions in clarified butter. Ready in 30 minutes.

Indian-spiced split pea soup with curry powder, carrots, celery, and tomatoes, sautéed in ghee and finished with cream. Hearty, warming, and vegetarian-friendly in 40 minutes.

Indian cabbage, carrot, and onion curry with mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and coriander cooked in ghee. A vegetarian dry curry side dish ready in 35 minutes.

Traditional samosa pastry dough (Khol) made from whole wheat flour, ghee, salt, and a pinch of baking powder. Stiff pliable wrappers for crisp, flaky homemade samosas.

Medallions of beef tenderloin with garlic-tomato demi-glace and fresh tarragon. Restaurant-quality steakhouse dish for one, ready in 30 minutes.

Kaha buth is Sri Lanka's golden yellow rice cooked in coconut milk with cardamom, cloves, lemongrass, and curry leaves. Fragrant, buttery, and the centerpiece of any rice-and-curry feast.