Spruce tips are the young spring buds on the branches of spruce trees. Spruce has been used by Indigenous peoples in salves, topical creams, teas, beers and in modern cooking. The tips can be harvested in the spring to add a delicious, aromatic flavour to many dishes. This spruce tip butter recipe comes from Saskatchewan-raised Métis Chef Jenni Lessard.
Spruce tip butter on bannock. Courtesy of Chef Jenni Lessard.
- Step 1: Place butter in a medium bowl. Finely chop spruce tips and add to butter along with garlic, chives and lime zest.
- Step 2: Mix well and serve soft with fresh bannock or form into a compound butter and chill until ready to slice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature (substitute vegan butter if desired)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup fresh spruce tips and equal amount fresh herbs
- Zest of one lime