Cowboy Butter Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, for tang)

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp lemon zest

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp chopped fresh chives

1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions:

Melt the butter:

In a medium saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the olive oil.

Add the garlic and spices:

Add the minced garlic to the butter and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Stir in the Dijon mustard (if using), lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Add the fresh herbs:

Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the freshly chopped parsley and chives.

Serve:

Pour the cowboy butter into a serving bowl and serve warm with your favorite meats, seafood, bread, or veggies. You can also drizzle it over grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak for an extra burst of flavor.