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Questions tagged [fat]

190 questions
57
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2 answers

Why can applesauce be used in place of oil?

In many recipes, mostly desserts, it is suggested that you can substitute oil with applesauce to reduce the fat content. But why applesauce? Is there something special about applesauce or are there other ingredients than can be used?
Brian Ortiz
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What oil or fat to use for different purposes?

I understand that one of the main reasons to use different kinds of fat or oil is the temperature at which it burns, e.g. an extra-virgin olive oil to fry a steak wouldn't work. Taste is also a very important aspect. Can you give a list of the most…
tobiw
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Conversion rule: how to switch oil and butter?

Just a moment ago, I was making muffins. The recipe calls for 125ml oil. As a footnote, it says that you can replace the oil with 125g butter. Can you do so in every recipe (not just muffins or pastry)? I've found this, but the amounts aren't the…
Mien
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Is it safe to cook with food grade mineral oil?

There is a thing such as "food grade mineral oil". Does "food grade" means it is safe to cook with? I know it is used widely for oiling cutting boards. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits using mineral oil for food (with…
leftjoin
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4 answers

Can I always use butter instead of margarine when baking?

Some recipes says use butter or margarine, some say use butter and some say use margarine. My question is, can I always use butter or does margarine have some property that butter doesn't when baking?
johnny
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18
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13 answers

How can I remove excess fat from stews or soups without refrigerating?

I've read that adding cork (from wine bottles) absorbs the fat. I'm not sure if this works or not. Are there any other ways to remove excess fat without standing there and spooning out or refrigerating and then removing the solidified fat?
apaderno
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2 answers

The science of confit

In recent weeks I have made both duck leg and pork belly confit with rich tasting and great texture results. I want to experiment with this technique further but to do so, and avoid wasting meat and fat, I'd like to understand the science behind the…
colethecoder
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What job is the fat doing when I prepare bread dough, and what to expect if I use the wrong amount?

I've been baking bread for years and no longer really measure the ingredients. But I'm no expert on the science of what I'm doing. I add fat (lard) because I've always added fat. What job does the fat do? And if I have long been using too little or…
Tea Drinker
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7 answers

Is bacon fat supposed to congeal at room temperature?

My grandma told me its a good idea to save the bacon drippings in a sealable container to cook with later. I remember when I used to watch her cook with it, it was always solid. I have started saving the fat from my bacon, only the bottom of the…
Nick Larsen
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Can ghee be used instead of butter in dessert recipes?

Butter is an inevitable ingredient in most of dessert recipes. By definition, ghee is just clarified butter, but to me, the taste is completely different. The taste of butter is more close to heavy cream, while that of ghee is more close to cooking…
Googlebot
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Why does the fat on my chicken broth sometimes solidify, sometimes not?

I've been making chicken broth pretty much the same way for decades. I cut up a whole chicken, cutting through the bones of all but the breast and thighs (to release marrow). I pretty deeply brown the pieces (with skin) in the bottom of a stock pot,…
Jolenealaska
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14
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7 answers

Can I store suet or home-rendered tallow at room temperature for a year?

This weekend I will be in possession of 100 lbs of beef suet (which I'll be getting from a butcher friend) and plan to render it into tallow. I can't even begin to imagine exactly what this amount of tallow will look like, but I'm absolutely certain…
stephennmcdonald
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14
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How do you properly drain the grease after browning ground beef?

Whenever I try to drain the grease from the pan after I have browned ground beef, I always end up spilling a little here and there. I usually just take a spoon and "spoon out" the grease into a bowl. Another technique my mother use to use, but only…
duchessofstokesay
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Which oils or fats make the crispiest roast potatoes?

Which oil or fat is the best option for crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside roast potatoes?
bcmcfc
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12
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What does to deglaze a pan mean?

A friend of mine described a recipe to me, and she said she deglazed the pan (I think I understood correctly). What does that mean?
apaderno
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