15 Surprising Uses for Butter

Yep, we know, butter is fattening. It’s something that should be consumed sparingly. But, it’s such a staple in the pantry that it’s hard not to have around. So, instead of using it in food, how about using it around the house instead?! Check out some of the fantastic ways to use butter.

Household

Stop Doors From Squeaking Generously grease the hinges with butter and voila — squeak no more!

Cut Down on Snow Shoveling Ah, one of the least fun winter activities. Cut your shoveling time down by greasing the shovel with butter, it’ll help prevent snow from sticking.

Get Rid of Ink Stains on Plastic Rub butter on the stain and let it sit out in the sun. After a few days of soaking up the rays, wipe clean with soap and water.

Get Rid of Pesky Watermarks on Wood Have a family member who’s allergic to coasters? Rub butter into the affected area and let it sit overnight. Wipe it with a towel in the morning.

 

Cooking

Make Cheese Last Longer Coat the cut edge of a hard cheese with butter. It will prevent the molding process that comes all too quickly otherwise.

Make Onions Last Longer Only using half of an onion and don’t want to waste it? Nix the plastic baggy — spread some butter on it and wrap it in aluminum foil.

Stop Water From Boiling Over Drop a tablespoon of butter into a pot that’s boiling over.

Cut Sticky Foods Pies and brownies stick to the knife all too often. Remedy this by coating the knife in butter before you dish out dessert.

Health & Body

Swallow Pills Can’t handle the horse pills? Lightly coat the pill in butter and wash it down with a big gulp of water. It takes the edge off that terrible feeling of the pill going down your throat.

Get Sticky Stuff Off Your Skin Can’t stand the feeling of sap or glue on your hands? Rub butter on the sticky part before you wash your hands. Rub hands with a towel, and then use water.

Remove Gum From Hair Rub butter into the affected area and let it absorb. Gently wipe away with a cloth.

Prevent Bruising If you’ve ever thought, “that’s gonna leave a mark,” this one’s for you. The phosphates in butter help prevent bruising, much like a raw steak does.

Beauty & Fashion

Detangle Jewelry Lessen the frustration of detangling necklaces and bracelets by rubbing butter on the entwined areas. Use a small pointy object to detangle.

Strengthen Your Nails Do you have weak, brittle & dry nails? Before bedtime, Rub butter on the nail beds and put on some cotton gloves. In the morning, you should see improvements in your nail strength.

Get A Tight Ring Off No need to rush to the jeweler if your ring won’t budge — apply butter to the area and it’ll (hopefully) slip right off.

Soothe Dry Skin If you’re in a pinch, butter is a great substitute for creams and lotions. You can even use it as a shaving cream.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-surprising-uses-for-butter.html#ixzz1szTCafM6

Raspberry Streusel Bars

We tried this Streuselkuchen and it was delicious. It is perfect for people who have trouble with carbs! Great recipe.

photo and recipe provided courtesy of elanaspantry.com

• Raspberry Streusel Bars
  Crust:

• 2 cups blanched almond flour
• ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon water

1. Pulse ingredients together in a food processor until dough forms a ball
2. Press dough into an 8×8 inch Pyrex baking dish
3. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes

Filling:

• 1 cup raspberry fruit spread

Streusel Topping:

• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup blanched almond flour
• 2 tablespoons xylitol
• ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1. Pulse oil, almond flour, xylitol and salt together in a food processor until creamy
2. Briefly pulse in walnuts and coconut, so they are left coarse, not pulverized
3. Set streusel aside
4. Spread raspberry fruit spread over warm crust
5. Sprinkle streusel topping over raspberry fruit spread
6. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes
7. Cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours to set up
8. Serve

Makes 16 bars

Healthy Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper $
• 1/2 cup chopped Vidalia onion $
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup Fat Free Dairy Beverage
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Cheddar CHEESE
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper $
• No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 4 100% Whole Wheat Bread slices, cut into 1-inch pieces $
• 6 tablespoons reduced-fat bacon bits

Preparation

1. 1. Sauté diced bell pepper and chopped onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat 4 minutes or until tender.
2. 2. Whisk together bell pepper mixture, eggs, dairy beverage, and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl.
3. 3. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Layer bread pieces evenly in dish; pour egg mixture over bread, and sprinkle with bacon bits.
4. 4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Debra Schramm, Americus, Georgia, Southern Living

Decadent Chocolate Cake

• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups butter, melted
• 1 3/4 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 7 eggs
• 2 cups whipped cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch round pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
2. Chop chocolate squares and place in a large bowl with chocolate chips. Add melted butter. Heat water and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a saucepan until boiling, and then pour over chocolate. Stir until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whip eggs with remaining 1/4 cup sugar until thick. Fold into chocolate mixture. Pour batter into 10 inch pan.
4. Place 10 inch pan on a cookie sheet in the oven and fill the cookie sheet with water.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool and refrigerate for several hours. Be extremely careful not to burn yourself on the hot water when removing the sheet pan from the oven.
6. Dip the pan in hot water to remove cooled cake. Garnish with whipped cream and serve.

Apple Swan and how it is done……. Video

Apple Swan and how it is done

French Toast done differently

Chocolate cups with whipped cream