Quick Tip - Butter

It always happens in my house...the table is set with a nice dinner and I realize the butter is hard as a rock in the fridge. I pull it out, cut off a square and toss it into the microwave. There it softens into an unusable pool :(
Not anymore!
Take your butter you want softened and place it between 2 sheets of wax paper. Use your rolling pin and roll the butter flat. When you are done scoop the butter off the paper and transfer to a dish and serve! Its that easy and it actually works!

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Butter

I love butter! Butter on popcorn, corn on the cob, on toast...etc etc etc! But...its expensive :(
What I have started doing is buying whipping cream when it is a day or two away from expiring (and VERY discounted!) and I make butter!!
I pour it into the stand mixer, turn it on medium high and walk away. It gets to the whipping cream stage (obviously) and then you will notice chunks of butter sloshing around in the liquid. Drain the chunks (keep the liquid though) and then put the chunks back in the mixer. Sprinkle a small amount of salt and mix again (if you don't do the salt you do get a slight whipping cream aftertaste). Re-drain, squeeze out the liquid (with your hands or with a cheese cloth) and put into small containers. Freeze what you wont use in a week or so. I freeze it in about 1 cup portions because thats what I know will definitely get used.
The liquid you drained off? Buttermilk!! I either use this right away in a recipe or I freeze it in portion sizes I know certain recipes use. Its wonderful in pancakes and waffles :)