With the video and recipe below learn how to make your own ghee easily. Additionally, find out what the health benefits of ghee are and what ghee can be used for.
What is Ghee?
Ghee is also known as clarified butter, i.e. butter that has been clarified/cleared. Ghee is composed predominantly of saturated fat. It contains a number of fat soluble vitamins notably Vitamins A, E and K.
Learn now how to make your own ghee, find the written recipe at the bottom of this page.
What can Ghee be used for?
In cooking
Cooking with ghee imparts a sweet and wholesome flavour to food. It has a high smoking point, this is the point at which you can heat a fat to before it starts to burn and turn rancid. It is generally accepted that ghee’s smoking point is at 252 degrees Celsius. This means it is a good choice of fat should you wish to saute or fry something either in a pan or in the oven. By contrast Olive oil for example has a smoke point of 190 – 220 degrees Celsius depending on the degree to which it has been processed. The more refined the higher the smoking point.
Ghee is great for the digestive system, it has helps to balance excess acidity in the body and soothes an inflamed digestive tract. It is highly nourishing, soothing and brings a sense of calm to an excited nervous system.
Trying adding a ¼ tsp to your porridge in the winter, or substituting it for butter when making a cake, it imparts a decadent richness. On its own it can have a very strong smell which is an acquired taste, cooked though it takes on a much more pleasing smell and taste.
How long does it keep for?
According to Ayurveda ghee that is well made, that has zero excess moisture left in it and kept in a cool dark place will keep for 100 years. In fact this type of ghee is supposed to be able cure all manor of aliments. Personally, the ghee I make never lasts longer than a month or so as it all gets used up in delicious recipes and on dry skin in the winter.
Is Ghee good for you?
Like everything in life it is a question of moderation. There are some pieces of research that have been conducted purporting that Ghee helps to build good cholesterol (High density Lipids) in the body. Cholesterol is an important factor to maintain healthy cells, both in their structure and function. I personally recommend using a range of fats in your diet as they all have their own unique tastes and individual distinct benefits, variety provides the spice of life.
Ghee Recipe
What you will need:
- 1 pack unsalted organic butter
- 1 jam jar
- 1 small piece of muslin cloth
- An elastic band
Instructions
- Put one pack of organic unsalted butter in a saucepan on a low heat
- Sterilise a jam jar in the oven for 5 minutes at 150 degrees C
- Secure a piece of muslin cloth onto a jam jar with an elastic band
- Leave to bubble and crackle on a low heat for roughly 20 minutes, when the crackling ceases you know it is ready.
- Pour the ghee through the cloth and discard the leftover solids
- Allow to cool completely before putting the lid on, this is very important otherwise there will be condensation and there will be mould in the ghee soon.
Externally on the body
Ghee on it is own softens dry, chapped or chaffed skin. It instantly cools, soothes and emolliates rough skin. Check out this recipe to create your own super luxurious body oil.
Super luxurious body oil for dry skin
- 80ml storage bottle
- 60ml olive oil
- 15g ghee
Pour the olive oil and ghee into a saucepan and gently warm to allow the ghee to liquefy. Then pour into a glass bottle. Allow to cool completely before securing the lid. Place the bottle on the radiator to turn the oil into a liquid before use.
