Compound Butters for the Home Cook with Michael Tashman of Churn
Michael Tashman is the Founder and CEO of Churn Foods, offering chef crafted tools to home cooks across the US through sweet and savory flavored European-style butters.
Happy Tuesday! Last week was such a weird and crazy week. I had a lot of projects finishing and starting up. I was off social media more than I’ve ever been and truthfully it felt weird. I love sharing content but I’m trying to not push out content for the sake of it. I have my eyes on the ice cream bowl for my stand mixer, so expect to see ice cream content soon!
Shameless plug → I’m looking to bring on a few podcast sponsors for the season, so I can continue to grow the show and make it even better. If you or someone you know if interested, please send them my way: hello@citrusdiaries.com
Podcast
Michael Tashman is the Founder and CEO of Churn Foods, the butter brand combining the finest grass-fed European-style butter with the highest quality ingredients. He entered the culinary world Starting as a line cook while playing football at The University of Miami, and went on to attend both Japanese and French culinary schools, eager to exercise his creativity and explore various cuisines.
Following culinary school, Tashman spent several years working in fine dining , most notably at Blue Hill in NYC, where he was often tasked with preparing their famous butter using ingredients from the restaurant’s farms in upstate New York.
In 2020, Tashman launched Churn bringing a fresh, innovative take on butter to the American market. Now available in Costco, Bristol Farms, and Erewhon, Churn’s butter offers chef crafted tools to home cooks across the US through sweet and savory flavored European-style butters.
IG churnfoods | churnfoods.com
Rapid-fire questions —
Tips for the home chef:
Have confidence in the kitchen
Focus on quality ingredients
Taste as you go
Go-to snack plate:
Good quality French butter, sourdough baguette, smoked salmon, fresh cut seasonal vegetables, few slices of fresh fish
No. 1 piece of advice:
Be kind and patient with yourself.
Listen to the episode:
Recipes
Triple Berry Mocktail
Combine 1 shot of Ghia Berry and 1-2 spoonfuls of blueberry + blackberry jam in a glass with lots of ice. Top with strawberry sparkling water and enjoy. [video]
Everything I’ve Been Loving
Fashion/Lifestyle
Local Eclectic Raspberry Necklace — If I see anything fruit related, I immediately need it and this necklace is no exception.
Deji Studios Ease Trousers — I’m always looking for cute + stylish clothes to wear while working from home and in content. These trousers are truly perfect and may just be my next investment piece.
COS Balloon Hem Skirt — I feel like I’ve talked about my love for fun skirts and how I barely own any before. This skirt is will definitely be a future purchase.
Birkenstock Boston Chunky Clogs — As we’re inching closer and closer to fall, there’s 7 more weekend till college football starts, I’ve been scoping out the best clogs. These caught my eye (in a IG ad) and I love the elevated look the chunky sole provides.
Food & Bev
The Ginger People Gin Gins OG Chews — Abbie, co-founder, of TGP is coming on the pod in a few week and kindly sent me a package of goodies. I’ve loved their ginger chews, especially to soothe migraine-induced nausea, for awhile now. What a fun full circle moment!
Hazard Lime & Mint Hop Water — I picked this up on a whim after seeing it at a local market and I loved it. I’ve been really into Hop Water this summer when I want a similar drinking experience to beer but am not feeling alcohol.
Lotza Lemon Hibiscus — so so good for mixed drinks or to enjoy on its own! Light and refreshing for the painfully hot weather.
Kate’s Real Food Chocolate Cherry Granola bars — I was looking for a clean option in the store the other day and found these. They are *delish* and I will be stocking up on them asap.
Consumption Guide
R.E.P.O.R.T is an acronym for Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending, and Treating
R- I have been obsessed with
’s substack publication for awhile now and I can’t believe I’ve never included it in my favorites before! Her personal notes + recipe round up is such a joyous piece to read every week because there’s zero pretentiousness. Food writing often feels far-away but Justine’s writing is so down to earth. Definitely a must read.E- Strip Steak au Poivre: my first time making steak and it was incredible! (we used filet instead of strip steak)
P- How Long Gone | Sporkful | Good Children | This is TASTE
O- These recipes:
R- Mad Hippie’s SPF serum is such a game changer as someone who hates the feeling of sunscreen setting on my face. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend Churn Butter (this week’s pod guest!). Michael’s perfectly crafted compound butters make dinnertime and snack time SO easy.
T- Normally, my answer here is food related but recently I’ve been treating myself to time off of social media. I’ve come to realize more and more how it is not worth it to post something just for the sake of saying I did. I rather pause, reflect, and take time to share something I truly feel passionate about - especially as we get into the thick of summer aka the busiest time of year. I’ve found that forcing myself to be overwhelmed just isn’t worth it. I’m prioritizing thoughtful consumption.
ICYMI
Upcycled Cookies with Maura Duggan of Fancypants
xx,
Lauren (Hodgen)
Dear Citrus Diaries Host | @ citrusdiaries.studio
Citrus Diaries Studio | Creative Director
If you’re interested in working together, drop me a line: hello@citrusdiaries.com 🍊