Basil in Thyme Kitchen

09/15/2026

🥩🌿 Perfectly Seared Medium-Rare Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

For the steak:
Pat steak completely dry and season generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high/high heat until very hot. Add a little high-heat oil.

Sear the first side about 3 minutes without moving it, flip and sear another 2½–3 minutes. Add butter, smashed garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme, then baste the steak with the foaming butter.

Remove at 125–128°F for medium-rare and rest 5–10 minutes. Top with homemade garlic herb compound butter and let it melt right over that crust. 🤌

Garlic Herb Butter:
½ cup softened unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh parsley
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh rosemary
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp lemon zest

Mix together, shape into a log and chill until firm.

How do you like your steak cooked? 🥩

— Chef Melissa | Basil in Thyme Kitchen 🌿

09/15/2026

🥩🌿 Perfect Medium-Rare Steak with Garlic Herb Compound Butter

There’s nothing complicated about a great steak—it’s all about the sear, the temperature, and that finishing touch.

GARLIC HERB BUTTER
½ cup softened unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh parsley
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh rosemary
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp fresh lemon zest

Mix together, roll into a log and chill until firm.

FOR THE STEAK
Pat the steak completely dry and season generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Heat a heavy skillet until very hot, add a little high-heat oil, and sear without disturbing until a deep crust develops. Flip and sear the other side.

Add butter, garlic and fresh herbs to the pan and baste. For medium-rare, remove around 125–128°F and rest 5–10 minutes. Finish with a generous slice of that homemade compound butter and a sprinkle of black truffle finishing salt.

That pink center + melting herb butter = steak night done right.

— Chef Melissa
Basil in Thyme Kitchen 🌿

09/15/2026

When your daughter knows Mom’s a chef, her birthday request is never off-limits. 💕🎂

For her golden birthday, she asked for a pink, Dolly-inspired cake—and I had so much fun bringing her vision to life. Three layers of cake, homemade berry coulis between the layers, buttercream, butterflies, a little sparkle, and plenty of personality. ✨🦋🎸

It wasn’t about making a “perfect” bakery cake. It was about creating something special for her with my own two hands—and seeing her face when it was finished made every minute worth it. 💗

Made with love in my kitchen. 🌿
Basil in Thyme Kitchen

09/04/2026

Building Basil in Thyme Kitchen from the ground up doesn’t mean life stops around it. 🌿 This week I’ve traded the kitchen for the classroom—but I’m still showing up, working hard, and handling whatever comes my way. 💪🔥
Different setting. Same determination.

08/29/2026

From the Basil in Thyme Kitchen 🌿

Simple, comforting, and full of flavor. The full recipe is in the photo — save it for later!

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

Herb-Crusted Cedar-Plank Salmon 🌿🍋🔥
Tender, flaky salmon with a savory herb crust and bright citrus flavor, served over a creamy Sweet Pea Purée.

08/06/2026

08/03/2026

Fresh from the garden 🌿🌶️
Today’s harvest: bold basil and beautiful banana peppers—homegrown flavor in the making. 💚