Ghee is a staple in every Indian kitchen. It is added to everything – to lentils and curries, to roti’s, naan and parathas (flatbread), and the flavorful varieties of rice and biryanis. None of these would be as delicious without the addition of ghee.
What is Ghee?
I love this description of Ghee from R.K. Narayan who was asked to write an excerpt to explain what Ghee is – “Ghee is, no doubt, clarified butter, but it is also something more, in the same way that wine is more than the juice of a squeezed grape. The origin of ghee is, no doubt, butter, but ghee is like a genius born to a dull parent… A perfectly boiled ghee is considered fit for the gods. Ghee is a litmus test of integrity: One could measure the morals of a shopkeeper or the fine qualities of a host by the purity of ghee offered.“ So perfectly put, the essence of Ghee for the Indians! Oh..and now all over the world!
Ghee is unsalted butter that has been cooked until the milk solids separate and brown. It can be used in place of butter or oil in cooking. Ghee is primarily saturated fat, and good fat. It is popular for its high-smoke point and nutty, toasty flavor. Ghee has a very good shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated for a long time. It solidifies at room temperature.
Buying good quality (read organic grass-fed) ghee is quite expensive. But it is significantly cheaper to make it at home from grass-fed butter.
Is Ghee the same as Clarified Butter?
Ghee is sometimes called Clarified Butter for ease. However, it is actually clarified butter that has been simmered down longer where the milk solids brown. This gives ghee its nutty roasted flavor. Clarified butter and ghee, are both made almost the same way. For clarified butter, you boil unsalted butter until milk solids separate. However, for ghee, you boil further to turn the milk solids brown.
Benefits of Ghee
I am not going to list all the benefits of Ghee. Many sites do that. However, I want to mention some that stand out for me and have made me consistently include it in my everyday cooking.
Omega-3s (monounsaturated fats) are healthy forms of fat found in ghee. Ghee is rich in butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid linked to an immune response that can reduce inflammation and help improve the digestive system. These also help decrease levels of unhealthy cholesterol. Ghee is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. There are other benefits, such as improving energy levels and strengthening the immune system. Ghee is lactose-free and can be consumed even if you are dairy intolerant (check with your physician)
How to make Homemade Ghee from Butter in the Instant Pot?
It is very easy to make ghee in the instant pot. Add the butter to the instant pot and set it on Saute (Normal) mode. I use Kerrygold butter to make Ghee as it is made from grass-fed cow’s milk. Costco unsalted butter works well for ghee too. As we are cooking in Saute mode, the timer of the instant pot does not work. Hence set an external timer for 10 minutes. The butter will start to boil and become frothy. Then the milk solids will begin to separate, and the water will start to evaporate. Cook until about 10 minutes, when the milk solids will settle at the bottom of the pot. At this point, turn off the instant pot. Even though the instant pot is turned off, the ghee continues to cook, and the milk solids caramelize and turn golden brown. Now the ghee is cooked. Remove the steel insert from the instant pot. Now we want to separate the caramelized milk solids from the ghee. You can use a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to strain the ghee. Then store it in a heat-proof glass jar or steel jar. Ensure the ghee is completely cooled before you close the lid of the jar. Ghee can be stored at room temperature and does not spoil. When you make this ghee, your house will fill up with the aroma, and you will want to slather it on a paratha right away…Yum!
Why make Ghee in the Instant Pot?
It is easy to make ghee in the instant pot It is easier to clean and does not cause any splatter or mess. It cooks consistently in a specified amount of time. It needs less monitoring.
Here are some of my favorite recipes where I use ghee –
Spinach Dal Lentil & Vegetable Khichdi Cumin Rice Chicken Curry Chicken Biryani
