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Butter is a food product that farmers get by whipping cream from milk. On an industrial scale, manufacturers produce the product by separation. The best butter you can get is only natural milk. Experts believe that it is better to be the best of all types of dietary fats.
The natural process of producing butter is quite expensive – 1 kg of butter requires as much as 25 liters of milk. This product is an indispensable culinary assistant.
the Story
Butter is one of the oldest products existing on the planet. According to researchers, the product appeared as early as 2000 BC in India. This country was famous for its extensive experience in cattle breeding. But the first technology of oil production was developed by Jews.
The product was a symbol of the prosperity and wealth of the family. In the 5th century AD, butter began to be produced in Ireland, Norway, Russia, and Italy. Industrial production of the product appeared only in the 18th-19th century with the development of new technologies.
Butter: pros and cons
Natural butter is a beneficial product, as farmers make it from milk. The product contains a high concentration of vitamin B and A. Thanks to the fat base, butter helps to absorb vitamin E and D. The product is also rich in oleic acid. Experts identify the following list of significant components of butter that improve human health:
- Improves the condition of nails, hair, and skin
- Strengthens the health of the heart and blood vessels
- Improves digestion
- Improves the condition of the Central nervous system and prevents the development of depression
- Improves mood and reduces stress levels
- Reduces the likelihood of fungal infections
However, any product has its negative sides and butter is no exception:
- The development of obesity
- Increased levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood
- Causes the development of acne on the face
- Contributes to the deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract
Natural oil is a high-calorie product, 100 grams of the product contains 700 calories. Nutritionists advise people losing weight to be especially attentive to the amount of butter consumed. However, the complete exclusion of the product from your diet can lead to a lack of natural fats.
Selection and storage rules
Any natural product requires certain storage conditions. Also, experts highlight some tips that will help you choose a quality product easier:
- Do not buy butter wrapped in parchment. The oil will become a source of creamy rays and will be oxidized.
- Choose a product wrapped in foil. It is protected from sunlight and stored longer.
- The yellow and dull color is a sign of spoiled butter. It is better to abandon its use or cut off this layer with a knife.
- The best place to store butter is in the refrigerator. The temperature should not exceed 12 degrees.
- When choosing an oil pan, give preference to ceramics or porcelain. Glass is a bad option for storing the product because it passes the sun’s rays.
Butter substitutes
Experts identify several butter analogs that can replace the product if necessary:
- Avocado. The most beneficial oil substitute in terms of vitamin and mineral composition. The fruit is suitable both in structure and fat content.
- Ghee. You can get this product in the process of prolonged exposure to low heat.
- Hummus. This is a puree-like snack made of lentils, garlic, sesame paste, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Coconut oil. It is formed as a result of pressing and heating the pulp of coconut nuts. This coconut product is something that can successfully replace butter in various pastries.
- Peanut butter. It is a source of unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to the burning of adipose tissue. Peanuts are a source of vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
- Olive oil. This is an excellent substitute for “milk” butter in various baked goods: bread, pies, muffins.
- Bananas. This product can act as 2 substitutes at once: sugar and butter.
- Cottage cheese. It is a source of high-grade protein, magnesium, and potassium. The product will be a good alternative substitute for using in sandwiches.
What is a heart-healthy substitute for butter?
Experts advise using an alternative to butter in the following cases: allergic reactions
- problems with excess weight
- desire to lose weight
- diseases of the cardiovascular system
Butter contains fats and high cholesterol. What kind of substitute is suitable for people suffering from heart disease?
Vegetable-based oil will be the best solution. Vegan oil is not saturated with calories and does not contain fats at all. Such a product will not increase the level of cholesterol in the blood, and will also nourish the body with omega-3 substances.
What is the healthiest spread to put on bread?
If you want to make a sandwich and avoid using butter, use peanut butter. This product has a similar consistency and thick structure. Peanut butter contains fatter than all similar substitutes. You can also add a few slices of banana to the sandwich. It will improve the taste of the product and make it even more nutritious.
What is the healthiest thing to put on toast?
If you are looking for a toast butter substitute, consider the following options:
- avocado
- olive oil
- peanut paste
- jam from chia seeds
- low-fat yogurt
These substitutes are not only more beneficial in vitamin and mineral content, but also more nutritious. You can also use olive oil to lubricate the dough before placing it in the toaster. It will give the bread a golden crust and a wonderful crunch.
The remaining substitutes are suitable for already prepared toasts. You can grease bread with them instead of butter. If it concerns avocado, make a homogeneous mass out of it.
Can I substitute vegetable oil for butter?
The most common substitute for frying butter is olive oil. This baking alternative is also suitable. The use of olive oil for baking is a striking feature of Mediterranean cuisine. Baking with olive oil has really been going on for many centuries. The product gives the baking a light texture. You can safely use it instead of butter or margarine.
Olive oil dramatically reduces the cholesterol and saturated fat content in desserts. It produces lighter baked goods and allows you to add flavor to other ingredients. Since olive oil contains vitamin E, it helps to naturally preserve the freshness of pastries and creates moist cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.
Substitutes for butter in baking
Most often, butter serves us as a base for baking. There may be several reasons for searching for a substitute:
- allergy to lactose contained in milk
- high-fat content and calorie content
Experts identify several substitutes that are perfect for baking:
- ghee
- coconut oil
- olive oil
- applesauce
- avocado
- banana puree
- greek yogurt
- nut butter
- pumpkin puree
These products can also make pastries delicious, friable, and fragrant. The main thing is to keep the right proportions.
The best substitute for butter in baking
The best substitute for butter for baking is Greek yogurt. It’s a dairy-based food source that’s great for eating, but it’s even better to add it to baking recipes. 200 ml of Greek yogurt from whole milk contains 20 grams of protein, 190 calories, and 9 grams of fat (6 grams saturated). There are even fat-free options so that you only get a dose of protein.
However, Greek yogurt made from whole milk gives the softest pastries, as it consists of a small amount of fat. It is well suited for adding moisture and texture to quick bread and cakes. When replacing butter: for every 1 cup of butter, use 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt.
Substitute oil for butter in the cake
Another great substitute for butter is olive oil. This alternative is particularly well suited for cakes. Olive oil will give the cakes a loose consistency and allow the dough to be airy.
Use the substitute in the following ratio: replace 1 cup of softened butter with 3/4 cup of olive oil; 150 g of butter in the recipe =1/2 cup of olive oil; 200 g is 3/4 cup.
How much applesauce to replace butter
Professional chefs consider applesauce to be the best substitute for butter. In baking, the role of butter is to neutralize the density of flour, preventing its connection with water and the formation of gluten.
Applesauce contains pectin, so it is not a stable substitute for fat. That is why this substitute is especially valuable as health maintenance.
How much applesauce does it take to replace butter? Experts say that the ratio should be left equal – 1/4 applesauce to 1/4 butter. Do not be afraid to experiment, because each recipe requires a certain density and looseness.
Margarine substitute for butter
Another substitute for butter is margarine. However, experts say that it is not a more beneficial product. Margarine consists of palm and soybean oil. Both products have a different composition, but the same amount of fat. Consuming excessive amounts of fat can increase body weight and increase the risk of obesity.
The main difference between the two products is that butter is made from dairy products and is rich in saturated fats, while margarine is made from vegetable oils. However, if there is no butter in your kitchen, you can safely use a more affordable analog.
Substitute for butter in biscuits
To make cookies, you need a special butter substitute. Cookies have a dense and loose structure, so the substitute should not differ in the absence of fats. Professional chefs identify several suitable analogs:
- sunflower oil
- olive oil
- sesame oil
- coconut oil
- linseed oil
The proportions should be as follows:
- Vegetable oil replaces butter in a ratio of 2 to 3
- Soy margarine comes in a ratio of 1 to 1
Butter provides cakes, cookies, and pastries with a richer taste. Other substitutes may contain more water. This will make the cookies thinner and prevent them from spreading during baking.
Butter substitute for pancakes
Is it possible to cook pancakes without butter? Professional chefs claim that you can find a decent alternative like butter. Butter and olive oil act as a leavening agent, which is necessary for the preparation of pancakes.
If you have a recipe that requires a dairy-free product, use clarified butter (ghee). This substitute will help make pancakes thin and delicious. The recipe for pancakes with clarified butter will be as follows:
- Rub 4 yolks with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter (a homogeneous mass should be obtained)
- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 cups of milk, and 1 cup of flour to the dough.
- Then add 4 whipped whites and salt.
The main thing in cooking and baking pancakes is that the dough should be at room temperature. Otherwise, the melted butter will become too dense and the pancakes will not turn out thin and airy.
Common tips
Under the influence of high temperatures, butter very quickly turns into a concentrated source of the most harmful carcinogens, which pose a great danger to the human body.
Professional chefs have highlighted several tips that will help you choose the most suitable oil substitutes:
- Choose an alternative to butter, depending on the characteristics of the recipe.
- Keep in mind that natural substitutes will contain a certain level of fat and cholesterol.
- Keep in mind that each substitute behaves differently in each recipe.
- Carefully calculate the proportions, which are often not equal to the required amount of butter.
FinalĀ
Butter is a fatty and quite harmful product in terms of calories. If you are watching your weight or have a lactose allergy, choose healthier substitutes. Farmers make natural butter from milk, while manufacturers use cheaper methods of producing the product.
Choose a substitute based on the recipe. If you want to make toast, use avocado or Greek yogurt. If necessary, find a substitute for pancakes – use ghee. Cottage cheese, apple, and pumpkin puree will also be good healthy options.
Experts note a multifunctional substitute such as banana – it immediately replaces sugar and butter.