What is "clarified butter"?

Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is a form of butter from which the milk solids and water have been removed, leaving behind pure butterfat. This process involves heating butter until it separates into three layers: the foam, which consists of milk solids, the clarified butter itself, which is the middle layer, and the water, which settles at the bottom. The foam is skimmed off, and the remaining liquid is strained to remove any remaining milk solids. What's left is a clear, golden liquid with a rich, nutty flavor and a higher smoke point compared to regular butter. Clarified butter is prized for its ability to withstand high heat without burning, making it ideal for sautéing, frying, and other high-temperature cooking methods. Additionally, it has a longer shelf life than regular butter due to the removal of the milk solids, which can spoil more quickly.