What is shortening?

Question

I see it mentioned in american recipes but I have no idea what it is!

Thanks I wont be using it any time soon then!

Answer 1

Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods, and is so called because it inhibits the formation of long gluten strands in wheat-based doughs, giving them a "short" texture (as in shortbread). The term "shortening" can be used more broadly to apply to any fat, such as butter, lard, or margarine, used in baking, but as used in recipes it refers to a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid at room temperature. Shortening has a higher smoke point than butter and margarine, and it has 100% fat content, compared to 80% for butter and margarine. Crisco, a popular brand, was first produced in 1911. In Ireland and the UK Cookeen is a popular brand.

Answer 2

Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods, and is so called because it inhibits the formation of long gluten strands in wheat-based doughs, giving them a "short" texture (as in shortbread). The term "shortening" can be used more broadly to apply to any fat, such as butter, lard, or margarine, used in baking, but as used in recipes it refers to a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid at room temperature. Shortening has a higher smoke point than butter and margarine, and it has 100% fat content, compared to 80% for butter and margarine. Crisco, a popular brand, was first produced in 1911. In Ireland and the UK Cookeen is a popular brand.

Answer 3

Shortening is a lard product that American can buy in a can. In the USA it is called Crisco. Just substitute butter or margarine or even plain, non-flavored applecause in the recipe.

Answer 4

Shortening is a semisolid fat used in food preparation, especially baked goods, and is so called because it inhibits the formation of long gluten strands in wheat-based doughs, giving them a "short" texture (as in shortbread). The term "shortening" can be used more broadly to apply to any fat, such as butter, lard, or margarine, used in baking, but as used in recipes it refers to a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid at room temperature. Shortening has a higher smoke point than butter and margarine, and it has 100% fat content, compared to 80% for butter and margarine. Crisco, a popular brand, was first produced in 1911. In Ireland and the UK Cookeen is a popular brand.

Despite its worldwide usage and availability, vegetable shortening is believed to be damaging to human health since it generally contains trans fats in the form of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. After the oils are hydrogenated they become solid at room temperature, but the type of trans fat generated in this process has adverse health effects. Shortening containing no trans fats has grown in usage, notably with the 2007 reformulation of Crisco such that it contains less than 1g of trans fat per 12g serving. Cookeen was reformulated in Autumn 2006 to remove the trans fats [1]. Non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening can be made from palm oil.

Answer 5

Usually a vegatable oil. It could be butter or margarine or peanut oil also.

Either a solid of liquid vegatable oil is used however.

Lard (pig fat) was used in the old days.

Answer 6

Lard. Can be replaced with butter, margarine or, in some recipes, oil.

Answer 7

Its basically a solid form of fat...Crisco is a brand name of shortening. Im sure its in no way good for you but it sure does make your food taste great!

Answer 8

All together now........
" Mommas little baby loves shortening shortening mommas little baby loves shortening bread"

So, were where the foods Nazis when that song line was penned?

Yes, we have not progressed as much would have us believe eh ?

Good evening to you all.

Answer 9

fruit grows on shrub or vines and fruit and vegetables grow in the floor.

Answer 10

Animal Fat..(Saturated Fat)...not good for ya @ all! But it makes the food taste good....It will increase cholesterol in your blood...and you know too much cholesterol will clog arteries and may cause chest pain, heart attack, or stroke!!!!