One of the coolest things I get to do at Nino’s is create new food products. It’s even more fun when I get to watch people sample and enjoy what I’ve created and put it into their shopping cart to take home.

There’s absolutely NOTHING more satisfying.

A few years ago, I created a product called Zap Butters. It came up as an idea to bring a new taste experience to all of our customers who love to grill and enjoy the great products from our Meat and Seafood Departments.

Before Zap, customers could accent and dress their meat and fish selections with rubs, marinades and sauces, all great choices. NOW, we’ve added a product that fits a whole new category of flavor choices, and they’ve taken off.

What’s Zap Butter?

Zap Butter is what chefs call a compound butter. Compound butters begin with butter but have all sorts of fantastic flavors added to enrich the taste experience. Flavors include those like roasted garlic, sautéed mushrooms, green onions, crisp bacon, or natural roasted beef.

How Do You Use Zap Butter?

Using Zap is the easiest part. All you have to do is prepare your steak, chop or fish, and while still hot, place a tablespoon of Zap Butter on top and let it melt. The combinations of the natural juices from the meat or fish mixed with the butter and garnishes create their own sauce that is truly an experience better tasted than explained.

Choices, Choices, Choices…

When it comes to Zap Butter, I realized that one flavor doesn’t necessarily fit all meats or seafood, so I created four unique flavors of Zap. The Original is made with beef, onions, soy sauce and garlic, with a kick of pepper, and it is FANTASTIC on grilled steaks and chops. The Savory Mushroom Zap Butter is just like the name says, full of mushrooms with garlic, onion and spices. And it goes equally well with red meats and poultry. Crispy Bacon is not only a terrific finishing butter for seafood and poultry, but it also makes a wonderful butter sauce for pasta! Lastly, the Fresh Garlic Zap Butter is not only great on nearly any entrée, but it’s also one of the best spreads for garlic bread you could find.

You’ll only find Zap Butters at Nino’s (in our Meat Department), but we hope you’ll also find it in your home refrigerator and try it this coming weekend.

I think Zap really fills that gap between rubs and sauces, and they’re flavors you’ll savor.

For more delicious ideas on how to top your steaks, seafood and grilled cuisine throughout the summer, check out these informative links below.

• Marinades and Rubs

• Top 10 Steak Toppers for Summer Grilling