Need softened butter for your recipe and forgot to take it out of the refrigerator early enough? No problem. Put it into a bowl (take the wrapper off first), cut it into 1-tablespoon pieces -- see those notches? -- and microwave them at half the power for 10 seconds at a time. Depending on your microwave, it should be ready in under a minute. When it's still solid, but soft to the touch, you can use it for your recipe! Sounds simple, doesn't it, and something the beginner cook might appreciate knowing.