Flavored butters are an excellent way to enhance a meal. They can be adapted for roast meats and fish. They also taste great on bread, especially if its homeade and fresh from the oven or breadmaker.  Below are some ideas to get you started in making your own flavored butters.

One of my favorite ways to use flavored butters is with roast chicken and turkey. I whip up a small batch and rub it inside and outside the bird as well as under the skin. I then cook the poultry just like I usually do, and it turns out juicy and full of flavor. I honestly don't usually follow a recipe but throw in what spices I'm in the mood for. Here's a quick recipe for rosemary garlic butter for a small roasting chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds):

• 3 tablespoons softened butter
  
• 1 large head of roasted garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)
  
• 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary

Blend ingredients and rub on chicken or turkey, then cook as usual. You can adjust the spices to taste and use your own combination. Sage is another one that tastes excellent with roast birds.

My husband and I once ate at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. They had a tasty treat to go with their warm bread - cinnamon honey butter. I decided to make my own to go with some breakfast biscuits. Here is my version:

• 1/2 stick of butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Whisk butter in bowl until fluffy. Add honey and cinnamon and stir. Spread on fresh bread or toast. I love cinnamon so can be heavy handed with it. You might want to start with less and then add more to taste.

I've seen other recipes online that try to come closer to the Texas Roadhouse recipe that include ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, confectioner's sugar, brown sugar and even corn syrup. You can do a quick search online or visit Thrifty Fun and Recipes Discovered for discussions of other variations on this delicious spread.

The combinations to use in flavored butters are practically endless. Be sure to check out the videos linked above for more ideas. Baked fish with lemon zest and dill butter, a touch of molasses or real maple syrup, or cajun spice butter are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. What about you? Go ahead and let your creative cook out and enjoy your next meal with a dollop of flavored butter.