When a recipe calls for simmering on low heat, don’t try to take a shortcut by boiling. There’s no way that you’ll ever be able to cut 3 hours cooking time down to 30 minutes. So take it easy, and let low heat do its job when necessary. If you rush the process, you’ll ruin the recipe. The same goes for butter: when a recipe calls for softened butter, don’t rush to melt it in the microwave. Be patient, and always remember to prep your ingredients beforehand.