Cooking unsalted butter over medium heat until it turns light brown produces a smooth, delicious brown butter sauce. Chefs call it beurre noisette (hazelnut butter), because of its nutty color and scent.

How to Brown Butter

1. Melt the butter in a skillet or small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Swirl or stir the butter with a wooden spoon as it starts to foam and sputter.
1. Remove the butter from the heat as soon as it begins to turn golden brown and smells nutty, about 1 minute.