how to make brown butter

To make brown butter, start by placing butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir or swirl the pan until the butter is completely melted, then increase the heat to medium to bring it to a simmer. As it simmers, the butter will crackle and foam as its water content evaporates. Stir frequently as the foam subsides and brown bits appear, turning the color from golden yellow to tan and finally brown. This process usually takes 7 to 10 minutes. Once you smell a nutty aroma and see the browned bits, immediately remove the pan from heat and pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Let it cool before using or refrigerate if not used right away. Avoid burning it by watching closely, as burnt butter tastes bitter.