Buttered noodles are considered a perfect dish. However, even perfection can be enhanced. While simply tossing pasta in butter is quick and satisfying, there’s a culinary technique that can elevate your dish to restaurant quality, requiring no extra ingredients and taking less than five minutes.
The secret lies in making a beurre monté, which is a French technique involving ‘mounted butter.’ This process allows the butter to stay emulsified without letting its components separate during heating. As a result, the creamy butter adheres to the noodles beautifully, giving them a glossy, delicious finish. Remember, the quality of butter significantly impacts the outcome of the dish.
To prepare beurre monté, you only need cold, unsalted butter cut into small cubes and a bit of water. The process is so simple you might even just use an ice cube for water, which is quick and convenient.
Follow these steps to achieve the best buttered noodles. If the noodles seem sticky after completing the dish, add a little pasta water. Excess beurre monté can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a sealed container and reheated in a skillet. It can be used on pasta, vegetables, or any dish that could benefit from a buttery touch.
While beurre monté is a favorite method to enhance buttered noodles, there are also other simple modifications to ensure your noodles taste delicious.
