Egg butter, or munavoi, is a popular Finnish spread made from boiled egg yolks and whipped butter. It is often served with desserts and traditional Karelian pastry, and can be flavored with spices or used as a topping on sandwiches. Egg whites are sometimes added, but can make the spread lumpy.
Made with boiled eggs and butter, egg butter is a favorite item in Finnish cooking. At the time of preparation, only the yolks of hard-boiled eggs are combined with whipped butter to form a spread. This spread is commonly served with desserts. In Finland, egg butter is known as munavoi and is rich and creamy. Eggs’ protein content makes a spread seem more decadently satisfying than most, as it leaves one feeling satisfied after it’s eaten.
While traditional recipes don’t use egg white, some current recipes do add them. When the egg whites are added, they are finely diced so as to mix as much as possible. The reason the egg whites aren’t often added is that they never fully mix with the yolks and butter, and the spread therefore appears lumpy rather than smooth and creamy. Salt and pepper are also commonly added to this blend to boost flavor. White pepper is more often used than black, as it doesn’t show up in the spread due to its light hue.
Some egg butter recipes will call for flavorings to be added to the yolks and whipped butter. Cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce give a kick to the spread. Using egg butter pours is a popular traditional topping in sandwiches. The ham and swiss cheese on a croissant with a little egg butter spread over it is a delicious combination of flavours.
Within traditional Finnish cuisine, Karelian pastry is usually served with egg butter. The Karelian name comes from the part of Finland where the pastry was first served, Karelia. Made with a wholemeal rye crust, this pastry can be filled with potatoes, barley or millet. These ingredients, together with munavoi, are popular in many traditional Finnish recipes. Karelian pasta is served hot and egg butter is spread heavily over it and allowed to melt into the pasta, creating a rich topping. Though there are those who tend to think of desserts as savory dessert, this pastry is savory. Much Finnish food tends towards salty flavors and hearty grains, and for this reason egg butter lends itself as the perfect spread on many local food items.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
