Compound butters are great. They're a nice edition to a brunch or grilled cheese dinner.
Typically, butter has about 100 Calories per Tablespoon but the saturated fat (yea it's not the most heart healthy) is better for the body as a natural alternative to margarine. For nutritional and Calorie purposes I suggest using light butter which uses skim milk instead of entirely. Land O Lakes makes a nice one. It has only 50 Calories.
Here are some potential mix ins that are higher in antioxidants. Just add one stick of softened light butter and let set in a container or follow the instructions from A Beautiful Mess.
- Chopped walnuts (3 TBS) with 1 TBS Cinnamon and 2 TBS maple syrup (can add lemon or orange rind or zest
- Finely chopped sage (3 TBS), salt and pepper (to taste)
- Sundried tomatoes (in olive oil) chopped
- Fresh herbs (basil, rosemary, chives, thyme, etc.)
You can also mix equal portions of softened butter and olive oil for a heart healthier spread that's easy on the wallet.
