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Ghee — Nigerian Clarified Butter

Also known as Ghee — Nigerian Clarified Butter (Man Shanu)

Man Shanu — the clarified butter of Northern Nigeria — is produced by slowly melting fresh butter extracted from Nono (fermented cow's milk) until all the water evaporates and the milk solids separate from the pure butterfat. The remaining golden, aromatic, pure fat has a much higher smoke point than regular butter, a deeper, nuttier, more complex flavour and an indefinite shelf stability at room temperature that makes it the ideal cooking fat for the nomadic Fulani way of li

Ghee — Nigerian Clarified Butter, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • A big amount of fresh unsalted butter — ideally Malu Nono Fulani butter (Recipe #442) or any unsalted butter
  • A clean glass jar for storing the finished Man Shanu

Method

  1. 01

    Melting the Butter Slowly. Place the unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over the lowest possible heat. Allow it to melt very slowly — do not stir. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam on the surface. This foam is the water evaporating.

  2. 02

    Long, Patient Clarification. Continue cooking over very low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Do not stir or disturb. The foam will gradually subside as all the water evaporates. The milk solids (white proteins) will sink to the bottom of the pot and begin to turn golden-brown. The liquid fat above will become completely clear, deeply golden and beautifully aromatic.

  3. 03

    Testing for Readiness. The Man Shanu is ready when the foam has completely disappeared, the liquid is completely clear and golden, the milk solids at the bottom are golden-brown (not dark brown or black) and the aroma is deeply nutty and fragrant.

  4. 04

    Straining. Very carefully strain the clear golden fat through a fine sieve lined with clean muslin cloth into a clean glass jar. Leave the brown milk solids behind in the pot — they can be used to flavour bread or porridges.

  5. 05

    Cooling. Allow the Man Shanu to cool completely. It will solidify into a golden, grainy-textured fat at room temperature.

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