What is it?
Abernethy Chipotle Chilli and Smoked Paprika Butter (€4.30/100g).
What’s good about it?
Abernethy Butter, made with milk from grass-fed cows on Will and Allison Abernethy’s farm in Dromara, Co Down, is rightly famous, and used by Michelin starred chefs in Ireland and the UK. It is hand churned and sold in attractive old-fashioned butter pat rolls, complete with the indent of the paddles. As well as the salted and unsalted plain butters, it comes in a variety of flavours.
Tell me more about it
The Chipotle Chilli and Smoked Paprika butter comes in a bright magenta wrapper, and once opened reveals itself to be a deep saffron colour, flecked with spices and herbs. As well as the chipotle smoked chilli and smoked paprika, there is freeze dried garlic, cumin, coriander, oregano and parsley in the seasoning mix.
[ Real wood-fired pizza at home, without the work or the delivery chargesOpens in new window ]
How do I use it?
Allison Abernethy says she loves prawns cooked in it, and a knob melted on top of a plain grilled or steamed fish would be excellent. While writing this, I ate it in a cheese sandwich and it brought incredible complexity to an everyday snack. What is remarkable about it is that even with the punchy flavour profile of spice and smoke, you can still taste the butter.
Where can I get it?
Abernethy Butter is stocked by lots of good delis and food shops, and you can also buy it online at abernethybutter.com, with delivery by courier costing £6 (€7) to addresses in the Republic.
Anything else?
The Abernethys have decided to retire, and a deal is under way to sell the business to Peter Hannan of Hannan Meats. Supply won’t be affected and production will continue in the same small-scale way.
Send your Shelf Help product suggestions to marieclaire.digby@irishtimes.com
