I have started to do some recipes that require Ghee (highly clarified butter). I had a jar with some I'd made, but it had been at room temperature for 2-1/2 years (I recommend just a few weeks) and didn't seem to smell right, so I dumped it.

Today I brought home 2 pounds of unsalted butter and melted it down, skimmed it well, and had it bubbling very slowly. It's supposed to run out of water and the temperature should rise to 290°F/140°C.

This takes some time, and I was feeling very tired, so I decided to lie down for a few minutes. Of course, I instantly fell asleep.

Later I woke up, and thought I smelled a trace of hot Ghee, so I figured I needed to get up and check it out. There it was, with no bubbling. So I stuck in the probe of my ThermoWorks instant digital thermometer. 289°F. As we used to say in the aerospace industry, "Close enough for government work".

It does pay to be on good terms with the Gods.