Yes, REAL BUTTER

Yesterday, I wrote about the magnificence of a hot popover. And, in my opinion -- YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE BUTTER...

When I was growing up, we ate margarine. I was a kid. I didn't know any better.

But after I married John, I became a butter convert. And my boys NEVER ate margarine. We always had butter at our house. When we'd visit Pottsville, Pennsylvania every summer -- we'd bring John's favorite butter back to Iowa -- ten pounds of Keller butter would last until Christmas.

 In 1978, when we moved back to Iowa, our neighbor, Bob Carter, milked a cow.  And we would buy whole milk,($1 a gallon)  so we made our own butter.  It is the easiest thing in the world...

The other day, cream was on sale for $1. I thought it would be a fun thing to do with Lillian. We'll make our own butter...

She poured the heavy whipping cream into the food processor...

Then, she pushed the button...(I have to put my hand on the top because I lost that thingy years ago)

Wow...my blade looks disgusting -- the only thing this machine is ever used for is PESTO...so it is a permanent green...

Lilian thought it was taking WAY TOO long...and after a few minutes, she is losing interest...

Then, suddenly, IT HAPPENED -- BUTTER...

She was DELIGHTED...

Gently, we put it in a strainer and let the buttermilk drain away

To really squeeze the buttermilk out, I used a linen napkin

Then, wrapped it in plastic wrap to give it shape.

I have a three-part butter dish.  Bottom dish for water, inside to hold the butter, and then the lid. A gift from my mother-in-law, Helen Farro. We have used it every single day for over 20 years...

With the first two batches, I added half a teaspoon of salt when it was still in the food processor. But I realized I was also salting the buttermilk. (John may want to use the buttermilk to make pancakes...)

So, for the last two batches, I waited for the salt until I separated the buttermilk. I kneaded the salt into the butter, using the plastic wrap.

And Lillian was right -- it took longer than I thought.  But don't worry about the question, "when do I know it's butter?"  Because it's like a pregnant woman asking, "How will I know if I'm in labor?"

The answer from mothers everywhere is always the same..."You'll know..."

That's how the butter thing works.  Suddenly, there will be a water explosion -- as the fat releases itself from the buttermilk.

BOOM -- BUTTER...