In a small bowl combine sage and butter. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Melt 5 tablespoons of the sage/butter in a small saucepan. Transfer remaining sage butter to a small dish (or make butter molds).

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Using 3 tablespoons of the melted butter, brush cups of a 12-muffin pan with the melted butter.

In a large bowl whisk together flour and salt.

In a separate bowl whisk together milk, eggs and the remaining 2 tablespoons melted sage butter.

Pour egg mixture over the dry ingredients and whisk to combine and batter is smooth.

Pour mixture into muffin cups.

DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR WHILE POPOVERS ARE COOKING.

Bake popovers for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake another 20 minutes longer or until popover are puffed and brown.

Serve popovers with the remaining sage butter.