| How to Soften Butter Posted: 27 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Butter is a key ingredient in many recipes and is crucial for creating delicious baked goods. Many recipes call for softened butter, but you may have forgotten to leave a stick out at room temperature. If you need to soften butter quickly, there are many ways to do it. Just be careful not to heat the butter too much or else it will melt! [Edit]Chopping Butter into Smaller Pieces - Measure the amount of butter you need. Cut and measure your butter before you soften it since the stick could deform. Consult the recipe you're using to see how much butter you need before using a measuring spoon or kitchen scale to get the exact amount you need.[1]
- If the butter is still in its wrapper, you may be able to see the measurements printed on the side so you can accurately cut it.
- Cut the butter into cubes. Use a sharp knife to cut the measured butter into small chunks. Make sure the chunks are about the same size so they all soften evenly. Separate the cubes from one another so they don't stick together since that could slow down how fast they soften.[2]
- The increased surface area of the butter will allow it to soften faster.
- Leave the butter at room temperature for 10-20 minutes. Set the chunks of butter on a plate and cover them with a tray or aluminum foil so nothing can get into the butter. Keep the butter in a place out of direct sunlight so it doesn't melt. Leave the butter for about 20 minutes so it's soft and easily spreadable.[3]
[Edit]Rolling the Butter - Place the butter between 2 sheets of wax paper. Lay out a piece of wax paper on a flat countertop and set the amount of butter you need in the middle of the sheet. Put another layer of wax paper on top of the butter and press it down firmly so it stays in place. Make sure the wax paper pieces are the same size so the butter doesn't squeeze out the side.[4]
- You may choose to cut the butter into cubes beforehand if you want.
- Hit the butter with a rolling pin 3-4 times to pound it down. Keep the wax paper in place with your non-dominant hand and hold a rolling pin by one of the handles with your other hand. Hit the butter firmly with your rolling pin 3-4 times to start the flattening process. Hit the butter until it's a uniform thickness throughout.[5]
- Roll the butter flat with the rolling pin. Once the butter is slightly flattened after hitting it, hold your rolling pin with both hands and spread it out like you would with dough. Aim to get the butter between thick to maximize the surface area. When you're finished, peel off the top layer of wax paper.[6]
- Leave the butter at room temperature for about 5 minutes. The butter should feel relatively soft after you roll it out, but leave it on your counter for another 5 minutes. Once the butter is completely soft, peel it off of the wax paper and mix it in with the rest of your ingredients.[7]
- Softened butter could possibly stick to the wax paper. If you need to, scrape the butter with a knife to get it off completely.
[Edit]Grating the Butter - Measure the amount of butter you need for your recipe. Look at the side of the butter's wrapper to see the measurements. Use a knife to cut the amount of butter you need for your recipe. If the butter is out of the wrapper, use measuring spoons or a kitchen scale to find the amount that you need.[8]
- Grate the butter into a bowl. Use the side of a box grater that has the largest holes so the butter pieces are the right size and shape for baking. Hold the grater and butter over a clean bowl so the pieces can fall in easily. Press the butter into the side of the grater with a firm amount of pressure to grate it into the bowl. Continue grating the butter until all of the pieces are in the bowl.[9]
- Only move the butter up and down rather than moving the grater. This will make it easier for you to grate.
- Grating works best if the butter comes directly out of the fridge or freezer.
- Let the butter pieces soften for 5 minutes before adding it to your recipe. Leave the butter pieces in the bowl and let them heat up to room temperature for about 5 minutes. This will ensure that they're soft and mix well with any other ingredients you're using.[10]
- Grated butter works best for making crumbles or shortbread since it mixes thoroughly with the other ingredients.
- You can grate the butter directly in the bowl with your other ingredients if you want.
[Edit]Using a Double Boiler - Heat of water in a pot. Put the water in a small pot and warm it up over medium heat. Keep heating the water until it starts steaming, and then reduce the temperature to low heat.[11]
- You don't need to bring the water to a boil or else it may get too hot.
- Set a glass or metal bowl on top of the pot. Put a heat-safe bowl over the pot to cover it. Make sure the bowl covers the opening on the pot entirely or else it may not heat up as well. Let the bowl heat up for 1-2 minutes so it's warm to the touch.[12]
- If you have a special double boiler pot, you can use that as well.
- Put your butter into the bowl to soften it. Place the amount of butter you need for your recipe inside the bowl and watch it carefully. The steam from the pot will heat up the bowl and start to soften the butter. Test the softness of the butter with a spoon to see if it's still hard or not. When the butter breaks apart easily with a spoon, take the bowl off the pot.[13]
- Be sure to remove the bowl before the butter starts to melt.
[Edit]Heating the Butter in a Microwave - Cut the butter into squares. Measure out the amount of butter you need for your recipe and cut it off the stick with a chef's knife. Then use your knife to cut the pieces into chunks so it softens faster. Put all of the chunks in a microwave-safe container.[14]
- You don't need to cut the butter, but it will make it soften faster in your microwave.
- Put the butter in your microwave for 5 seconds. Set the container of butter in the center of the microwave and turn it on for 5 seconds. Watch the butter as the microwave runs to make sure it doesn't melt. After the microwave is finished, test the hardness of your butter with your finger or a spoon. See if the cubes feel solid in the center or if they're soft.[15]
- In most microwaves, your butter won't be fully softened after the first 5 seconds.
- Use 5 seconds increments until the butter is soft but not melted. If your butter still feels hard after the first time you microwave it, put it in for another 5 seconds. Be sure to watch the butter so it doesn't start melting. When the butter feels soft throughout, take it out and incorporate it in your recipe.[16]
- Butter can melt quickly in a microwave, so be ready to stop the machine at a moment's notice.
- Leave a whole stick of butter on a plate or tray at room temperature so you always have softened butter whenever you need to use it.
- Use unsalted butter while you're baking so it doesn't affect the flavor of your baked goods.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not allow butter to melt when softening since it may negatively impact your baking.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Chopping Butter into Smaller Pieces - Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Plate
[Edit]Rolling the Butter - Knife
- Wax paper
- Rolling pin
[Edit]Grating the Butter [Edit]Using a Double Boiler - Pot
- Glass or metal bowl
- Oven mitt
[Edit]Heating the Butter in a Microwave - Chef's knife
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Microwave
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Crochet a Chevron Blanket Posted: 26 Sep 2021 05:00 PM PDT Crocheting basic stitches can be fun, but if you need a little challenge, make your own chevron blanket. By alternating simple stitches with skipped stitches, you'll create a blanket with the classic peaks and valleys or ripple shapes. It's a great classic blanket that's easy to customize. Use soft yarn for a baby blanket or crochet with different colored yarn to make the chevrons stand out. [Edit]Casting On - Get out 3 skeins of super bulky yarn in any color. If you'd like to make a blanket with just 1 color, you'll need 3 skeins that are each 10.5 ounces (300 g) or in size. To make a blanket with alternating colors, choose a main color and buy 2 skeins of it. Then, pick a contrasting color and buy 1 skein of it.[1]
- Super bulky yarn is also sold as just "bulky" or "roving" yarn.
- Make a slip knot and slide it onto a US size L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook. If you're using 2 colors, take the main color for your blanket and pull about of yarn from the skein. Wrap the yarn around your fingers to make a loop and pinch it so the working yarn hangs behind. Slide your crochet hook through the loop and grab the working yarn. Then, pull so the slip knot is firmly on your hook.[2]
- If you're only using 1 color for the entire blanket, don't worry about the instructions for working with a contrasting color.
- Chain 86 stitches to start the chevron blanket. For your first chain, wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through the loop. Keep doing this until you've chained up a total of 86 stitches. This is the foundation you'll use for crocheting the blanket.[3]
- 86 might seem like a lot of chain stitches to count, but it goes quickly!
[Edit]Making the First Chevron Row - Skip 1 stitch and make 2 single crochet stitches into the second chain. Don't work the chain that's closest to your hook. Instead, skip it and put your hook in the following stitch. Grab the working yarn and pull it onto the hook. Then, wrap the yarn over and pull the hook through both loops to make a single crochet (SC) stitch. Make another single crochet stitch into the same space.[4]
- Single crochet into each of the next 6 stitches. You're working from the edge of the blanket that will be a peak down into a low point. Keep track of your stitches so you don't accidentally make the strip of single crochet stitches too long.[5]
- Skip 1 stitch and single crochet into the following 6 stitches. To make your chevron point back up in a diagonal direction, skip the next stitch. Then, continue to make a single crochet stitch into the next 6 stitches of your first row.[6]
- As you work, you'll see the crocheted strip begin to angle up and down diagonally.
- Make 3 single crochet stitches into the next stitch. To direct the crocheted strip back down, work 3 single crochet stitches into 1 stitch. This forces the work to go down diagonally, which gives it the chevron shape.[7]
- Repeat the chevron pattern until you have 1 stitch left on row 1. Continue to single crochet across the row, but skip a stitch when you reach a valley and make 3 single crochet stitches to make a peak. Keep following this pattern until you reach the last stitch:[8]
- SC into 6, skip 1, SC into 6, 3 SC into next stitch
- Make 2 single crochet stitches into the last stitch of row 1. Once you've almost finished the first row, work 2 single crochet stitches into the last chain stitch on your hook. Then, turn your work so you can start row 2.[9]
[Edit]Crocheting the Second Row - Chain 1 stitch and make 2 single crochet stitches into the first stitch. Don't count the chain stitch that you just made as the first stitch. Instead, insert your hook into the first stitch of the row and work 2 single crochet stitches into the space.[10]
- Single crochet into the next 6 stitches and skip 2 stitches. Make a single crochet stitch into each of the following 6 stitches. This makes a diagonal stretch of your chevron pattern. Then, skip 2 stitches to make the valley or lowest point of the chevron.[11]
- Make a single crochet stitch into the next 6 stitches. Work single crochet stitches for the next 6 stitches to make another diagonal stretch. Keep in mind that this row runs parallel to your first row.[12]
- Work 3 single crochet stitches into the next stitch. Now that you're at the top of a diagonal stretch, make 3 single crochet stitches into the top stitch. This makes the work curve around so you can begin crocheting down at an angle.[13]
- Repeat the chevron pattern until you reach the last stitch for row 2. Keep making the chevron pattern across the rest of the row and stop when you reach the last stitch. Then, make 2 single crochet stitches into the last stitch of the row. To follow the chevron pattern, work:[14]
- SC into 6, skip 2, SC into 6, 3 SC into next stitch
[Edit]Working the Chevron Blanket - Alternate the yarn colors after 4 rows if you're using more than 1 color. To make a chevron blanket with different colors, work 4 rows in the pattern using your main color. Then, switch to a contrasting color before you work another 4 rows.[15]
- Remember to switch colors every 4 rows so your blanket has even chevron rows.
- If you're only using 1 color for the whole blanket, don't worry about switching colors.
- Repeat the row 2 pattern until your blanket is long. Turn your work once you reach the end of the row and just keep crocheting the pattern that you made for row 2. When you think you're blanket is almost done, lay it flat and use a measuring tape to see if it's long.[16]
- If you're alternating colors, try to end the blanket so it completes 1 of the colors.
- Cut the yarn tail and weave in the ends. Use scissors to cut the working yarn so there's at least a tail. Then, thread it onto a tapestry needle and weave it into the blanket.[17]
- Don't forget to weave in the tail from the opposite end of the blanket.
- If you'd like to check your gauge, crochet 8 rows of 7 single crochet stitches. It should equal .
- This pattern makes a blanket that's in size.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 3 skeins of super bulky yarn
- US size L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
[Edit]References |
| How to Is It Bad to Wash Your Hair with Baking Soda Posted: 26 Sep 2021 09:00 AM PDT Step into the world of all-natural hair care, and you'll be swamped with exciting promises and rave reviews about the effects of baking soda as a shampoo replacement. But you'll also discover people who are disappointed with the results, or even report extensive hair damage. With all the conflicting stories, it can be hard to know whether to try it! If you're wondering whether it's even a good idea to wash your hair with baking soda, we have the answer to that—as well as your follow-up questions, too. [Edit]Can I wash my hair with baking soda? - Yes, but it may not be effective. Some people do find that baking soda leaves their hair clean and shiny. But others have found it to be virtually ineffective at removing oils from anything but their scalp, even after spending several minutes washing their hair.[1] Since everyone's hair and styling routine is different, there's no way to guarantee whether it'll work for you.
- Baking soda is pretty rough on the hair and skin. While some people might benefit from using it for an occasional deep cleanse, it's not a good choice for regular hair-washing.[2]
[Edit]What does baking soda do to hair? - It typically causes damage, like frizz and dryness. Baking soda is fairly alkaline, which makes it good for breaking down grease and grime—but there's a risk that it'll break down your hair, too. Some research has suggested that the more alkaline your hair product is, the more likely it is to give you rough, dry, frizzy hair.[3] In other words, it can cause some pretty serious damage that can take a long time to fix!
- Baking soda also risks irritating or damaging your skin, which is a concern if you have sensitive skin or any skin conditions (like eczema or psoriasis).[4]
- There's some chemistry behind this: baking soda has a pH level of around 8 or 9, whereas your hair and skin average around 3.7 and 5.5, respectively. The high pH of the baking soda "clashes" with the low pH of your hair and scalp, which damages it.[5] It's an interesting science experiment, but probably not one you want to try on your hair.
[Edit]What if I mix or dilute it? - That will change the scent or texture, but it won't prevent damage. There are tons of suggestions for "softening" baking soda shampoos with other ingredients, or rinsing your hair with something to neutralize the damage—such as water, apple cider vinegar, or tea tree oil. But there's no real way to prevent baking soda from causing mayhem on your hair. In fact, some of these combinations (like baking soda and apple cider vinegar) could actually cause more damage, because you're "shocking" your hair with the sudden contrast in pH.[6]
- Mixing baking soda with water won't reduce the pH, despite what you might have heard. Water's pH is 7, which is neutral, so adding baking soda just raises the pH of the water.
[Edit]Can baking soda cure dandruff? - Baking soda risks making your dandruff worse, not better. Some people tout baking soda as a permanent end to their scalp flakiness, but the alkalinity of baking soda dries out and breaks down the skin on your scalp. This can result in a stronger dandruff problem than before, because a dry scalp means more flakes. Scalp dryness and irritation alike can also mean more itchiness, meaning more scratching at your scalp![7]
[Edit]What about removing buildup? - It works, but only as an occasional treatment. It is true that baking soda breaks down anything that may have been building up on your scalp, like oil or hair products. Since it also breaks down skin, though, you don't want to use it regularly: there won't be enough buildup for it to remove, and you risk earning a raw and sensitive scalp for your effort.[8]
[Edit]Is it still safe to try it out? - Yes, if you have healthy, oily hair and don't have sensitive skin. If you really want to try baking soda shampoo anyway, you should assess your hair and skin before trying it. If you have thicker, oily hair and don't have sensitive skin, you can give it a shot. And it's a good idea to dab a little bit of the mixture on your skin before you wash your hair with it, just to make sure you don't have a reaction.[9]
- Avoid baking soda shampoos if you have thin or weak hair, sensitive or dry skin, or have reacted badly to other products based on baking soda.
- You should also not use baking soda shampoos if you've used any kind of bleach, dye, or relaxant on your hair.[10]
[Edit]How do I use baking soda shampoo? - Use it sparingly, and focus it on your scalp. The simplest way to make a baking soda shampoo is to combine baking soda with water; a common ratio is 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water. Then, use your fingers to massage the mixture into your scalp. After one to two minutes, rinse it out with water, being sure to get all of the baking soda off your scalp and out of your hair.[11]
- Don't leave in the baking soda for longer than two minutes. It can irritate your scalp.
- Once you've rinsed out the baking soda, treat your hair and scalp with a moisturizing treatment, like conditioner, hair oils, or hair masks. (Baking soda wears down and dries your hair and scalp.)
[Edit]How often can I use baking soda on my hair? - Limit it to once or twice a month. You shouldn't replace your normal shampoo with a baking soda shampoo; since baking soda is much stronger than other cleansers, using it regularly will hurt your hair and scalp and give you dry, unhappy hair. It's better for removing excessive oils or product buildup. Depending on how oily your hair is and your typical hair routine, that could mean using it monthly, or every two or three weeks.[12]
- If your hair is weak or treated, you shouldn't use baking soda at all, because it can damage your hair and cause it to break.[13]
[Edit]Do commercial shampoos work better with baking soda? - There isn't much evidence for that, but that doesn't mean you can't try. Some hair-care resources claim that if you combine baking soda with a store-bought shampoo, it'll do a better job of cleaning your hair. There isn't research to back that up, though; it's most likely to change the pH, which doesn't mean it's cleaning your hair any better.[14] But if you're curious, you can give it a try! You can either add commercial shampoo to a homemade baking soda shampoo, or you can try adding a very small amount of baking soda to a bit of store-bought shampoo.
- Like with a baking soda shampoo, test a little bit on your skin before you wash your hair, to make sure you don't react.
- Keep in mind that store-bought shampoos with high pH levels will still damage your hair. Consider testing the pH of the mixture before you try it.
[Edit]Are there any gentler alternatives? - Yes, there are options that are softer on your hair and skin. If you're curious about baking soda shampoo, but are worried about harming your hair or skin, don't worry! There are other cheap or natural ways to care for your hair, regardless of whether you just want to wash your hair or are trying to resolve some kind of hair scare.
- If you use baking soda on your hair, it's a good idea to regularly inspect it for dryness, split ends, or a loss of strength. (Those with curly hair can give their curls a gentle tug to see if they bounce back, too.)[16]
[Edit]References |
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