September Staff Selection: Nordic Creamery Butters

Nordic Creamery Butters: 10% off in September

Wisconsin's reputation for cheesemaking is world renowned, so it stands to reason that a region that makes great cheese would also make great butter. As Al Bekkum of Nordic Creamery says, "I truly believe that great cheese and butter begins with great milk, and my products always start with the highest quality milk from small Wisconsin dairy farms that are certified rBGHfree."

The Bekkums are currently raising their own heifers on the 120 acre parcel of land that's been in the family of Al's wife since 1917. Over time, the Bekkum herd will consist entirely of Norwegian Red stock, which will help keep the Norwegian heritage of the area (SW Wisconsin's "Driftless" Coulee region) & their family business alive. The unglaciated land in this area is recognized for its fertile soil & exceptional grazing land which gives the cheese & butter its uniquely delicious taste.

The Nordic farmstead butters use farm-fresh sweet cream to make "Summer Butter" from April to October when cows are on pasture, creating rich herby flavors & a golden color. Given the hot weather this year, Summer Butter likely won't be available too much longer. "Harvest Butter" is crafted with sweet cream from the same dairy herd, nourished from fall to spring by harvested grasses & grains, to create a lovely, intense, creamy flavor & color. The flavored butters that we carry are the garlic/basil & the maple syrup. The maple syrup butter is perfect for the coming cool months on pancakes & for baking those fall pies. The newest addition to our shelves is their European-styled Cultured Butter with sea salt. It's a tangy, sweet & nutty butter with an 85% butterfat content, which translates into lower moisture for better melting & sauteing as well as enhancing sauces & desserts. Use cultured butters at high temperatures for a great pan sear, or in a pie crust or cookies for excellent flakiness. The sea salt adds a nice crunch to the super-creamy butter.

Here are some recipe suggestions:

Sardine Butter:
http://tinyurl.com/sardinebutter

Radishes with Salted Butter:
http://tinyurl.com/radisheswithsaltedbutter

Roasted Chicken with Lemon Butter:
http://tinyurl.com/roastedchixlemonbutter