How a Device Called the Magical Butter Machine Became My Favorite Kitchen Appliance
The Magical Butter Machine sounds like something that you’d see on a late night television ad. In a half-asleep haze, the whimsical name could be appealing to anyone. But thankfully the Magical Butter Machine has much more use than any “As Seen on TV” product. It has actually made a big change in the way I cook.
When I first received the machine, I was skeptical to say the least. Originally intended for infusing butter or oils with cannabis, the appliance is also touted for being able to make infused alcohols, vinegars, and more. Since the MyRecipes office is located in Alabama, the original use was off the table. But with no legal action in the way of their other infusing projects, I got to work.
About the size of a large blender, the Magical Butter Machine takes up a good chunk of counter space, but I promise it’s worth every inch. The appliance’s infusing method is a combination of heating (with a temperature of your choice) and a small blade that’s similar to that of an immersion blender. Ranging in a cooking time from one to eight hours, the magic behind the machine is that you just put in the ingredients, press two buttons, and you end up with a delicious creation at the end.
The Magical Butter Machine has become a staple appliance in my kitchen. I use it to quickly infuse liquors, create flavored oils for salad dressings, and add herbaceous life to my vinegar collection. It can create a large amount at a time, making it a great option for those who batch cook and would love to whip out a week’s worth of salad dressing that packs big flavor.
The Magical Butter Machine is available online and costs $174.95. With your order, you receive the appliance, a filter bag, and a heatproof glove for filtering your end products.
My favorite ways to use the Magical Butter Machine:
Liquors
With the Magical Butter Machine, I can make flavorful alcohols in an hour, as opposed to the usually week-long process it takes to infuse with conventional methods. Last minute party guests? Whip up a batch of flavored cocktails, like this Boozy Lavender Lemonade, in just about an hour
Oils
A commonly infused kitchen staple, oils hold a world of opportunity with the Magical Butter Machine. Pair your oil of choice and flavorful ingredients like citrus peel, fresh herbs, freshly ground spices, or even chilis to create a product that may become your new go-to. Use infused oils as a salad dressing base, like in our Ginger-Citrus Vinaigrette, to drizzle over toast, to fry your eggs in, and more.
Vinegars
Yet another pantry staple that can become seriously jazzed up thanks to the Magical Butter Machine, vinegar is probably the food item I experiment with the most in my new favorite appliance. Everything from herbs to fruit to veggies (tomato vinegar, anyone?) can be used to bolster flavor in vinegars. My latest (and possibly favorite) infusion takes form in a Strawberry-Poppy Seed Dressing recipe. The strawberry-infused vinegar offers a naturally sweet and berry-tart flavor, perfect for salad dressings or even to use for a shrub cocktail.