Herb Butter Toast Delight (Print Version)

Crusty bread slices enhanced with a flavorful herb butter and sprinkled with flaky salt for a tasty bite.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices crusty artisan bread (such as sourdough or baguette)

→ Compound Herb Butter

02 - 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
03 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/2 tsp lemon zest
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

→ Finishing

10 - Flaky sea salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F or set the broiler to high.
02 - Combine softened butter with parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and fine sea salt until well incorporated.
03 - Lightly toast bread slices in the oven or under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp and lightly golden.
04 - Spread a generous layer of the compound herb butter onto each warm toast.
05 - Return toasts to the oven or broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the butter melts and edges turn golden.
06 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you've been cooking all day when it actually takes fifteen minutes.
  • The compound butter trick works on everything—roasted vegetables, grilled fish, even scrambled eggs.
  • People always ask for the recipe, which is deeply satisfying when you explain it's basically butter and herbs.
02 -
  • Softened butter spreads without tearing the toast—this changes everything from a technical standpoint.
  • Fresh herbs make an enormous difference; dried herbs turn this into something pedestrian that tastes like it's trying too hard.
  • The second toast is about melting the butter into the bread, not cooking the bread itself—timing this right is the secret.
03 -
  • Taste your butter before spreading it on bread—small adjustments to salt and lemon zest cost nothing and make the difference between good and memorable.
  • If your herbs are from the grocery store, treat them gently; they bruise easily and lose potency, so chop just before using.
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