Is unsalted or salted butter the better option?

Dear Heloise: My husband and I are having a debate over which is better to use: unsalted butter or salted butter. I like to buy unsalted butter and keep it in a butter dish I got in England where you can put the butter in and fill the dish with water, then place the cover over the butter and water. No need to refrigerate it this way. My husband said we should be using salted butter, and he believes we should always place it in the refrigerator. What do you say?

— Cathy B., Lima, Ohio Cathy, salt is a preservative and keeps butter fresher than unsalted butter for a longer period of time. The US Department of Agriculture recommends using refrigeration when storing butter. If you decide to use unsalted butter in a European butter dish, change the water at least once a week and store in a cool place. If it smells different or slightly off, it may have spoiled, and then out it goes.

— Heloise

Creole roast

Dear Heloise: I read your column all the time and have enjoyed it for years. I always enjoyed your Creole Roast recipe, but after we moved to our condo, I couldn’t find the recipe and would really appreciate it if you would reprint it for me and others who like a little zest in their meals. Since my son and his family are coming for Christmas, I want to make this dish for them.

— Linda M., Miami, Fla. Cathy, here is my recipe for a Creole Roast:

2 to 2 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon snipped parsley, or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Trim off excess fat and rub meat with Worcestershire sauce. Combine the parsley, salt, pepper, celery seed, red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and ground cloves. Then, sprinkle this mixture over the meat and rub in. Cover roast and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour, or overnight in the refrigerator.

In a covered grill, arrange preheated coals around a drip pan; test for medium heat above the pan. Insert a meat thermometer near the center of the roast and place on a grill rack over the drip pan, but not over the coals.

Lower hood and grill until thermometer registers 140 degrees Fahrenheit for rare (about 45 minutes), 160 degrees F for medium (about 55 minutes) and 170 degrees F for well done (about 1 hour).

If you like this recipe, you can find it and similar dishes in my “Heloise’s Main Dishes and More.” To receive a copy, just go to www.Heloise.com, or send $3 along with a stamped, self addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/ Main Dishes, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

There are a lot of recipes that will surely please everyone in your family. Nothing like a new flavor to perk up everyone’s appetite.

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@ Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.