A Chef’s Guide to Dairy Products

‘Tis the season where chefs command a festive and busy kitchen full of holiday cooking and baking! Within the hustle and bustle that comes every holiday season, high-quality, fresh ingredients are a must-have on every chef’s list.

For the greatest version of these holiday staples, it’s important to start with the best. Shamrock Farms is the brand chefs can count on because all their dairy products begin with pure, fresh milk from their family of local farms. The brand’s cared-for cows and commitment to sustainability make you feel good about the selection too. Two especially popular products during the holiday season are heavy cream and buttermilk – but it can be difficult to know which one is better suited in recipes.

Though both are staple ingredients this time of year, they serve very different roles thanks to their distinct fat content, flavor, and uses. After taking a closer look at what makes these products unique, you’ll be able to apply them with ease this holiday season.

• A dairy product made from the thick layer of milk that rises to the top and is skimmed from milk before the homogenization process.
• A key ingredient for recipes that call for a rich taste, creamy consistency and/or any required to hold a shape.
• Contains a higher fat content (36%) compared to buttermilk (1%), making it suitable for adding richness and texture to dishes with a slightly sweet flavor.
• Does not help baked goods rise, but is great for thickening puddings, sauces like Alfredo, and soups. It’s also perfect in recipes that use sour cream.
• Can be the star for many desserts that call for whipping, such as mousse, pastry fillings, ice cream, and frosting for decorating desserts.

• Cultured milk, meaning it contains active, good bacteria.
• It is thick and has a distinct tangy flavor due to its acidity from the fermentation process.
• High acidity makes it the perfect ingredient to be used in a marinade or brine to tenderize meat.
• When combined with baking soda, buttermilk is responsible for the leavening that occurs when baking cakes and bread, the fluffy texture when flipping pancakes and waffles, and the flaky appearance of freshly made biscuits.
• The tanginess from buttermilk counteracts the sweetness of baked goods and provides a great flavor balance.
• If needed and compatible within a recipe’s flavor profile, buttermilk can be used as a lower-fat 1:1 substitute for heavy cream in some baked goods and sauces.

Each ingredient plays an important role in spreading holiday cheer, and chefs will find plenty of use for both during the busy holiday season! To learn more about Shamrock Farms and how chefs can incorporate farm-fresh dairy into their menu, visit here: https://www.shamrockfarms.net/

• Panna Cotta Recipe
• Buttermilk Cornmeal Crepes with Roasted Peaches & Bourbon Anglaise Recipe

Our chefs, product specialists and consultants can recommend the best dairy products to achieve your exact menu goals. Backed by our exclusive line of Shamrock Farms® dairy – beloved by chefs for over 100 years.