What the Heck is Ghee? + How to Cook With It

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Ghee.  Every single time I say it I feel like I am saying a word in baby language/gibberish. 

Have you heard of ghee yet?  I have recently started using it in a few recipes and I can not get enough.  It gives baked goods and certain dishes that delicious sweet buttery flavor that I have been missing out on since cutting out dairy.

So what is ghee?  Ghee is clarified butter, which has had all the casein and milk solids removed (these are the things that upset your tummy).  So if you have a dairy intolerance ghee is a great alternative to regular butter and other highly processed cooking oils.  Ghee has also been used in Ayurvedic medicines to help treat a number of ailments such as acid reflux, digestive issues, eye disorders and more.

How do you cook with it?  You use it just like you would any other cooking oil or butter.  I like to toss a little in a pan and stir fry veggies and cauliflower rice with it.  I have also used it to replace coconut oil in a few baking recipes and I love the variety of flavor it produces.  It is very concentrated and a little goes a long way, but that buttery punch of flavor you get from a small amount will keep you completely satisfied.

Have you ever cooked with ghee before? 



24 comments:

Hanna said...

This and coconut oil is all I use these days!! So yes...I cook everything with it. Even drink it in the morning in my coffee:) xoxoxox

RachelWest86 said...

Yes! I clarify my own (which helps justify the ridiculous number of Crock-Pots I have in my kitchen), and it is fantastic to cook with. Highly recommend!

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to try ghee for a few years now ever since I read up on it. I bought my first ghee about 2 weeks ago and it is amazing! I love that it has a high smoke point as well. That is the main reason I wanted to get it. And the flavor as you said is incredible.
Susan

Priyanka@The Healthy Diary said...

Hi Lindsay! Ghee is used a lot in Indian cuisine and my mum used to clarify her own ghee. It tastes great over practically anything. Do you like Indian food? If yes, then try drizzling a little over lentils (dal), or any curry, gives it a yummy flavor. Ghee is used a lot in sweet dishes too like carrot or semolina puddings.

Unknown said...

I love ghee! I roast veggies in it or use it to cook ground beef. It's delicious, and tastes really rich and buttery!

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

Priyanka@The Healthy Diary - I love Indian food! I will have to try that. Thank you :)

bostons bites and books said...

I LOVE Ghee! Luckily there are some great Indian grocery stores in Mira Mesa (Black Mountain road and Miramar area) where you can get it really cheap, AND there are so many funky cool other items for sale!

Karnal Red said...

I love ghee! And I love making it and how it makes the house smell! Easy to make and cheaper! Been making it for over 10 years now :o) And the Wee One loves it! BONUS!

Unknown said...

I love ghee too. Just curious- what is your take on using butter if it is strictly grass-fed? Like using Kerrygold butter? Sometimes I just need the full blown butter, and I feel like if I use Kerrygold its not as bad, but I might just be telling myself that;)
Dream Book Design

Anonymous said...

Try toasting bread over a pan with some ghee instead of butter over it- tastes amazing!

Unknown said...

YES! I've heard of this and have wished to add it to my cabinet of cooking oils for some time...but I can't find any! Where to buy would be a wonderful addition to this post (If feasible). Thank you for your post! I'm going to have to look harder I suppose.

Alexis @ Hummusapien said...

I just noticed ghee on the "new products" shelf at Trader Joe's...I bet before we know it, it'll be as popular as coconut oil! I'm definitely getting my hands on a jar soon. Love this post!

Ashley N. said...

Where can you purchase ghee? I don't have a Trader Joes or Whole Foods nearby!

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

Ashley- check your local grocery store :) They might have it.

Anonymous said...

My mum would use it when making Indian rotis...now I'm craving those. Going to have to find myself some Ghee!

Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl said...

I've been wondering about Ghee, as I just noticed that they are now selling it at Trader Joe's. Thanks for the info!

Unknown said...

WOW, i need to check out if i can get it here in Germany :)

Jas said...

Ghee has been used for generations in Indian families, so to all who are looking for ghee you will find ghee in any Indian Grocery store. Gosh! I still remember my mom and Grandma making it from Scratch at home, lengthy process but it produced very yummy white butter and finally ghee, they never bought any commercially made butter. Lindsay it is yummy and can be put on anything soup, stews or bread.

Sally said...

Thank you for this! I just found out two weeks ago that my daughter has a dairy allergy, and was wondering how to get some butter flavor anymore. I'll check our health food store for this asap. Thanks again.

Rachel K said...

My aunt has been making Ghee since I can remember. She put it on anything regular butter would go on/in. I'm sure you could use it in baking, however, I am not positive on that one.

mamasan said...

a dollop of ghee to make my scrambled eggs... heaven!

Unknown said...

Hi!Lindsay...i just love your blog..ghee is used in almost every indian house and it has a lot of health benefits..it will give glowing skin if consumed regularly,some people say that ghee should not be used for frying or at a high temperature as it loses all its benefits instead drizzle it on your veggies and breads for extra flavour and benefits...

Unknown said...

They sell it at Trader Joe's now! Yay!

nofear said...

omg lindsay. i've always passed this ghee (same exact brand, as thats what the supermarket carries) by when i would get coconut oil. i googled it and decided today to bring the butter from organic valley, that i didnt open back and purchase this. i was anxious to see how it tastes. i opened it up put a little on a spoon and love the taste. and i suffer from gerd so this is my choice of butter form now on. and i like how my market carries the 16oz for 13$ compared to the website which carries it for 18$. holy ghee i love me ghee lol

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