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What is vegetable shortening?

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  • 02-08-2005 8:26am
    #1
    horseflesh
    Registered Users Posts: 379 ✭✭


    Mrs Horseflesh tells me it's appeared in a few recipes, but neither of us know what in the name of Jaysus it is.


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    #2
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,470 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    It's a solid fat made from vegetable oils used for making pastry. It's white and pretty flavourless, looks a bit like lard. Trex and Cookeen are common makes in the UK (where I'm from), so I assume it's available here too, since I've never looked on the supermarket shelves here for the stuff.


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    #3
    rubadub
    Registered Users Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Yep, it is hydrogentated vegetable oil. You can get dirt cheap own brand versions in supermarkets. Frytex is a named (dear) brand.


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    #4
    CivilServant
    Registered Users Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭CivilServant


    Is that a pc way of saying trans fat?


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    #5
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Wow, I haven't heard the word shortening in years. What you're looking for is essentially a vegetable version of lard. Frytex or the like will meet your requirements.


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    #6
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Is Cookeen the stuff? me Ma uses this for pastry stuff


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    #7
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    Is Cookeen the stuff? me Ma uses this for pastry stuff

    That's the name I was racking my brain to think of.


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    #8
    rubadub
    Registered Users Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    dudara wrote: »
    Wow, I haven't heard the word shortening in years.
    Same here, not since ohhhh 2005... ;)


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    #9
    undermeoxter
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭undermeoxter


    Ya know what lads, yiz are a wonder! I had them all transfixed down me local EuroSpar wondering what vegetable shortening is. I opted for Cookeen in the end, over Frytex, since it's suitable for vegetarians whereas Frytex has also animal fats in it.

    I'm still wary of this "trans fat" business and wonder if I should use the recipe for Buttercream icing that doesn't call for vegetable shortening


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    #10
    huskerdu
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭huskerdu


    undermeoxter wrote: »
    Ya know what lads, yiz are a wonder! I had them all transfixed down me local EuroSpar wondering what vegetable shortening is. I opted for Cookeen in the end, over Frytex, since it's suitable for vegetarians whereas Frytex has also animal fats in it.

    I'm still wary of this "trans fat" business and wonder if I should use the recipe for Buttercream icing that doesn't call for vegetable shortening

    According to wikipedia, there are no trans fats in cookeen, as the manufacturers changed this in response to consumer demands a few years ago.

    The reason for mot using veg shortening, which is just another name for solid veg oil, for buttercream icing is that is is likely to taste vile and feel very greasy in the mouth.

    Butter is the best thing to use for buttercream icing and or
    alternatively, margerine will not taste as nice, but is an acceptable alternative.


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