shortening?

[madmum]

Sorry to ask but what is shortening please....

I was reading through Annes recipes page and it said
1/2 cup shortening, softened..

Thank you

[barbszy]

"Shortening" usually refers to vegetable shortening. It's a fat that is used in cooking, mainly baking, in place of butter or margarine. Here in the USA, a common brand name is Crisco. I found in Wikipedia that a common brand in the UK is Cookeen. It does not have to be refrigerated, and is solid and white, like lard.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Barb put it so well! I fridge my shortening because it becomes rancid so quickly too and I use it so seldom.

[madmum]

Ahh right, Thank you
I have never heard of it. I just noticed that it was used a lot in the recipes in Annes recipe pages.

[barbszy]

Madmum, you can use butter, margarine or lard in place of vegetable shortening. Probably lard will give you the closest results. Substituting the other might change the recipe a little in terms of texture. Also, if you sub butter or margarine for shortening, use a little less of any other liquid called for in the recipe.

[Sammi1961]

DeBora, if your fridge shortening does it last longer? I don't use mine often either and have had some go rancid on me. I wasn't sure if it could be refrigerated or not.

[Bilby]

I just use margarine when shortening is asked for.
I'm not a great fan of solidified oils.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Sammi, my Nana froze hers and she swore that it made it last longer. She baked with it all the time and her food never tasted bad. I bought a very small container of shortening, used it once, and froze mine. But, it went rancid after a year or so in the freezer. LOL

Kathy, I rarely use shortening too, for the same reason. I use natural, real, butter!

[Sammi1961]

DeBora, Thanks. I just recently bought a very small can of shortening (I had a recipe that called for it so decided to try it though I usually just substitute olive oil). I think I will try keeping it in the fridge and see if it lasts longer.