Ghee - Clarified Butter -A pictorial guide for making Ghee

Ghee plays an essential part of life in Indian families.We used to prepare n number of dishes using ghee.The flavour has addicted everybody from kids to adults.Ghee has comparitively less fat than butter.We used to buy ghee from indian stores.But after my vacation to India,I had lot of  ghee packets bought from there.But it got over after a year.After a year,when I went to buy ghee in grocery store, I was totally shocked to see the prices.Usually it will be $10.99 per pound.The prices of ghee has gone upto 4 dollars more per 1000 ml.These things made me to think.

 From then ,I started buying butter and clarifying them.The cost of 450 gm (1 pound) butter is just $ 2.98.From this 450 gm butter,I am able to get around 400 gm of ghee.This has cost me 2 times less than the store bought ghee.Home made ghee has more flavour than the store bought.My mom used to put drumstick leaves at last to add flavour.Since we dont get here,I have substitued with curry leaves.This ghee can be prepared in lots and refrigerated.It has more shelf life.So my buddy home makers,start preparing ghee at home and reduce ur cost of budget.

Ingredients:

1.Butter                 -            1 pound

2.Curry leaves      -             few

Method:

* Bring the butter to room temperature.
* Take a heavy bottomed pan and add the butter sticks to it.
* Place the pan in medium low and stir it in equal intervals.
* At first there will be heavy froth on the top.
* Let it boil well.
* The butter will change colours at every stage.
* Initially it will be light yellow,then dark yellow and at last light brown.

* Stir the butter in between.
* Watch carefully,as there are chances for the butter to get dark soon.
* Once it comes to the light brown colour stage,then turn off the stove and add curry leaves.
* Let it cool completely.Filter the ghee and transfer it to another container.
* Store it in a dry place.
* Since , I have used just 1 pound butter,I didnt get much froth on top.If u r using greater quantity then there is a need to remove the excess froth .

Note:
The prepared ghee will look like sesame oil in colour immediately after turning it off.
After transferring the ghee to the bottle,the residue can be mixed with ragi flour and sugar to be more delicious edible  mix.
When refrigerated ,has a longer shelf life upto 6 months.
Heavy bottomed pan ensures ,that we get the right colour.if not it will blacken quickly.