Beef fat

[gardenmommy]

I made beef stock with my soup bones. Normally, I just use the fat in soups, but there is a lot, and I don't think I can handle that much in soup. What do you do with all that fat? I hate to throw it out, there must be *something* I can use it for. I probably have 3 cups.

[pnutS4us]

I would save it...maybe melt it down and freeze in ice cube trays, or break it up into pieces, freeze on a piece of parchment and then pack away in the freezer--basically so you can use a bit at a time. I would use it to fry onions in for chilis, soup, use it to roast potatoes with (melt, toss the cut up potatoes in and then roast on baking sheet).... HTH! I am sure others will be along with more ideas

[gardenmommy]

Thanks! I was sort of wondering if I just put it in a jar or something in the fridge, how long would it keep? I usually use my CO or butter for cooking, but hey, I could use the beef fat. That was (almost) free, right?

[pnutS4us]

It should last a week or so, that is why I usually freeze mine in pieces, because it will get pretty solid in the fridge. I know you can keep bacon drippings on your stove, but I haven't ever done that with beef or chicken fat, just always froze it up. I even give bits to our dogs as treats!

[gardenmommy]

I poured it into a jar and put it in the fridge. I think I will just use it for cooking.

Thanks!

[proptart]

Anytime I make chicken or beef stock I always refrigerate the stock until the fat on top hardens. I then lift the fat off, put it in a pot and heat it on the stove (medium heat) until it stops "popping" - the kind of sound you get when you add wet potatoes to hot fat. The popping is any excess moisture in the fat boiling off. Then I strain it through cheesecloth into a jar and store it in the fridge.

Getting rid of the excess moisture and straining to remove any non-fat bits means your fat will keep for a lot longer in the fridge.

[choli]

It makes incredibly good french fries.

[TzippityDoulah]

oooh french fries! that is a good idea! yum

[gardenmommy]

French fries sound really nice! How do you make them? Is it very much work?