Keep butter spreadable

photo by D’arcy Norman

DEAR SARA: How do you keep your butter soft and spreadable? We’ve switched from margarine to butter. — Carol, e-mail

DEAR CAROL: I simply take it out of the refrigerator before I need it so it has a chance to soften. I’m not very picky. I’ll scrape thin layers for bread in a pinch if I have to. You can also buy a butter bell crock. Or whip your butter by adding a bit of milk (about 1/4 cup milk to 1/2 pound butter) and beat it with an electric mixer until it’s fluffy. You can also add 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon liquid lecithin and 5 ounces of water with 1 pound of softened butter to a blender and mix until well combined. Spoon it into a container until you’re ready to use.

DEAR SARA: Do you make your own ranch dressing? I want to make my own ranch dressing, since we seem to go through so much of it. — Kim, Oklahoma

DEAR KIM: I have made my own, but I often buy it premade in the bottle. Gasp! You can buy the seasoning packets and mix your own, or you can use your own seasonings.

Ranch Seasoning

2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
8 teaspoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons parsley flakes

Combine all ingredients, and store until ready to use. When ready to make dressing, combine 1 tablespoon seasoning with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for a few minutes before using. Your homemade ranch dressing will not be as thick as store-bought. If you prefer a thicker dressing, add sour cream. This recipe is wonderful for chicken-salad sandwiches and pasta salads.

DEAR SARA: I’m spending a lot of money on gas to get back and forth to work. I have a 45-minute commute on a good day. Prices keep going up on everything. I never thought I would have to look at ways to cut back. Regular bills like gas are costing me a fortune. I’ve downsized my car. Any other suggestions for me? — Bill, Pennsylvania

DEAR BILL: Look into whether you can work a compressed workweek. You could save a bit on transportation costs and possibly get stuck in less traffic by arriving to work earlier than usual or leaving later than usual and avoiding rush hour. Not only could you have an extra day to relax; it could help with taking time off for appointments and errands, too.

DEAR SARA: You seem to calculate the cost of household choices. Are there any you haven’t compared? — Cheryl, Indiana

DEAR CHERYL: There are tons of choices I haven’t calculated. For example, I have an oil lamp, and I haven’t calculated the cost to use it compared it to a single light, nightlight or candle. I’m also undecided on the cost benefit of using ceiling fans during the winter. I’ve heard that during the winter, a fan should rotate upward and push warm air throughout the room more evenly versus settling up near the ceiling. I understand the concept, but I’m undecided on whether using it is truly beneficial. I haven’t tested it yet.

Posted by Sara Noel on November 17 2008. Filed under Question & Answer.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook