Mom Cooking Tip 164

If you keep extra butter in the freezer and sometimes forget to take it out until you’re in the midst of preparing the dish you need it for, here’s what to do.

If the butter is to be melted before adding it to other ingredients,
it doesn’t matter if it’s frozen.  Just melt it as usual.

If only a small amount of butter is called for, cut it into very small pieces and let sit at room temperature on a plate for 15 minutes.

If a larger amount is involved, grate it into slivers on a box grater and let sit on the counter for a few minutes.  

Or use your microwave to soften a stick of butter.  Keep the butter in its wrapper and place it on a microwave-safe dish.  Microwave for 5 seconds.  Squeeze gently, turn it over and microwave for another 5 seconds.  Squeeze gently again.  If it is still semi-frozen, turn it over and microwave for another 3-5 seconds.  Test again. You don't want it to become liquid.   
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