Foodie Question of the Day
March 13, 2008
How important is “room temperature” ingredients when the recipe calls for it?
I admit that I really don’t do the “room temperature” all the time. I am a spontaneous baker. That doesn’t give me much room for preparing ahead of time. But I do cheat a little when it comes to eggs and butter.
EGGS: I fill a bowl with lukewarm water and let my eggs swim around for 5-10 minutes. (Don’t forget your floaties!)
BUTTER: I nuke it for about 5-15 seconds (depending on the amt) in the microwave.
TADA! Ready to get my bake on!
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1.
Andrea | March 13, 2008 at 9:51 am
I do the same for butter, but never thought about that for the eggs! Super tip, sensei!
2.
Kristina | March 13, 2008 at 10:14 am
If I know I’m going to be baking on a particular day I just take a stick of butter out of the fridge and set it on the counter. I don’t have a microwave, I’m sure if I did, I’d use that method. And, I don’t think I’ve ever made a recipe that called for room temp. eggs, or maybe I just ignore that part hehe
3.
Alanna | March 13, 2008 at 10:16 am
Hi. My name is Alanna. I am also a microwave butter softener.
4.
BBKiddo | March 13, 2008 at 10:48 am
I stick my butter on top of the oven while it’s preheating. It usally works pretty well.
5.
zebe912 | March 13, 2008 at 1:26 pm
If I am thinking ahead I will pull ingredients out ahead of time. I do try to get my yeast up to room temp before I use it, because then it proofs better (so they say). On anything else, I will cheat if needed. I’ve been known to tell my hubby to hold onto an egg for me for a few minutes so it can warm up some. I have very few recipes that call for room temp though.
6.
Gretchen Noelle | March 13, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Funny thing…here in Peru, we don’t refrigerate eggs. I never worry about making things room temp because they always are! And I have no microwave, so no ability to nuke the butter. I have been known to place a hot pan on top of the wrapped butter for a few minutes or if I start warming the oven, I just throw the while mixing bowl in with the butter for a few minutes to soften it. Those are my tricks of the trade.
7.
CB | March 13, 2008 at 2:23 pm
ANDREA, ::bowing::
KRISTINA, no microwave? *gasp* I can’t live without my microwave. Granted I don’t use it for every meal like I use to but I still love having one. Its like my safety net. Maybe its just me but I feel like every recipe I bake says room temp. *shrugs
ALANNA, ::group chants:: Hello Alanna
BB, oh that’s a good one! Thanks for sharing!
ZEBE, yeah I do that too. I’ll hold my eggs or put them in my apron pocket til I need them. Although I will admit I did have an egg casualty that way…oops!
GRETCHEN, oh interesting! I wonder why we refrigerate our eggs over here. Might have to do a google search on that. ;)
8.
Racheypoo | March 13, 2008 at 2:34 pm
BB and I are twins! I use the preheating oven, also.
9.
CB | March 13, 2008 at 3:46 pm
RACHEYPOO, butter twins! w00t!
10.
Suzanne Langley | March 13, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Great read.
Highly recommend this site – it is tops.
It is early morning here in Aussie and I’m hungover from the Flu so will make further comment when I feel a little better up to it.
11.
CB | March 13, 2008 at 6:04 pm
SUZANNE, aawww wow. thanks! You poor thing. I hope you feel better soon. The flu is not fun.
12.
mrsabybaby | March 14, 2008 at 5:34 am
I admit it…if something calls for butter softened or room temp, I usually do the microwave method as well. I’m just usually in a hurry so…seems to work okay though!
13.
CB | March 14, 2008 at 9:09 am
MRSABY, i am totally a butter nuker. Proud of it! hehe