Here's a great kitchen item I purchased while in Florida this winter...wanted a solution to the problem of trying to spread rock hard butter from the frig on LC toast in the morning... this little item works like a charm:

"It's called a Butter Bell Crock and it's a time-honored European method of storing butter at room temperature for up to 30 days without spoilage or odors. The base of the glazed ceramic crock encloses an insulated, airtight seal of water that keeps the interior cool. The little lid (the "bell" part) doubles as a serving dish when inverted and the lip of the top also provides a convenient place to rest the butter knife.

Here's how it works:

You pack a stick (½ cup / ¼ pound) of softened butter into the cone-shaped part of the top. You pour a couple of inches of water into the crock-shaped bottom. Then you up-end the butter into the water. The water keeps the butter fresh for up to a month by preventing air contact and keeps the butter cool (but not cold) in even the hottest weather. The butter will keep better and longer if you change the water every so often (every 3-6 days.) It works so well because the glazed ceramic container keeps the water cooler than the outside temperature by insulating and reflecting outside heat.

If you like flavored butters (sweet vanilla, lemon-thyme, rosemary-garlic, etc.) you may want to get more than one.

I found mine in a local kitchen store, but they are available online as well and retail for around $20-$25. "


Bonnie