Thread for Oils (Coconut, Olive, etc., etc. etc.)

[Charsee]

Repeat post. Thought I would start it's own thread just in case some people are not interested in shortening...

I have bought from tropical traditions (they have a lot of "half off sales" but there are some other sites that may have a better price normally although I haven't really checked and compared lately.

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/

When buying coconut oil it is important to compare oranges with oranges, or expeller pressed with expeller pressed, versus virgin or whatever. A site that might be helpful to help you compare is here...
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm#4 (http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm#4) (You might need to page up to the graph that shows the various types of coconut oils.)

Other sources for coconut oil to check out:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bul....php#oac_coc_u (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkoil/a-c.php#oac_coc_u)

http://www.healthybuyersclub.com/pro...il&v=3research (http://www.healthybuyersclub.com/productdisplay.cfm?c1=Expeller%20Pressed%20Coconut %20Oil&v=3research)

http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals....oconut-oil.htm (http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/expeller-pressed-coconut-oil.htm)

<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message -->

[Charsee]

16 lbs of Shortening is supposed to equal the 10 quarts of oil that used to be recommended. Don't know for sure this is accurate, it is just what someone told me when I asked.

Shortening has come back down to $6.88 for 6 lbs at Sam's Club, perhaps there are some good prices in the bulk sales going on.

[Charsee]

I've been looking into buying more oils lately...

[goldilocks]

I just purchased a 8 LB pail of snow cap lard at Walmart for $8.82 .I have read that its not as bad as we have been told and of course its a natural product so that is better then shortening. I had some lard years ago when we raised a couple of pigs and it make for good flavor when cooking but not real sure what all I can use it for. Just felt impressed to buy it. Any thoughts on this subject.

[Rand]

Charsee, I have followed your lead. I did the same thing you have done. I like the Tropical traditions as well. I got 50% off and free shipping on mine. I felt it was a great find.

I am also planning on stocking up with Shortening soon.

Goldilocks, I wish I could help on the shortening question. I just don't know.

[iggy]

I just purchased a 8 LB pail of snow cap lard at Walmart for $8.82 .I have read that its not as bad as we have been told and of course its a natural product so that is better then shortening. I had some lard years ago when we raised a couple of pigs and it make for good flavor when cooking but not real sure what all I can use it for. Just felt impressed to buy it. Any thoughts on this subject.

Lard is all that my Grandmother and Mother used in cooking. The big pail of Snow Cap sat out on the enclosed, but not insulated, back porch, right next to the extra refrigerator and under where all of the cast iron skillets hung.

It was used in breads, cakes, cookies, pie crusts, to deep fry donuts (Grandma made the best cake donuts!). My first husband had an aversion to lard- he would toss it out and buy me shortening. I used it, but was not happy about it.

I bought a 1/2 case each of the Crisco shortening in the 1 pound cubes- butter flavor and regular. Until I get my DIY cupboard put together, I am not buying any lard- have no place to store it.

Just got hit with random thought- took me 7 months after I left hubby #1 before I consciously quit buying mayonnaise. There are only two things that are good that require mayo. Uncle Dan's Original Ranch Dressing and Chocolate Mayo cake.

[arbilad]

I like making pie crusts and rolls with lard. The taste is very good, and it is much better for you than shortening. Maybe I should try making cookies with lard. I'm sure that the very thought would disgust people, though.

[phylm]

I just purchased a 8 LB pail of snow cap lard at Walmart for $8.82 .I have read that its not as bad as we have been told and of course its a natural product so that is better then shortening. I had some lard years ago when we raised a couple of pigs and it make for good flavor when cooking but not real sure what all I can use it for. Just felt impressed to buy it. Any thoughts on this subject.

Wish our Walmart carried the 8# pails. I have some 5 lb. pails of it in cool storage. My mother used to keep our lard in crocks in a cool cellar.

Lard makes great pie crust, and I don't want to use anything else for deep fat frying: doughnuts, fritters, potatoes...you name it. If it is properly rendered from your pigs, there is no "meat" taste to it.

I'm campaigning for some heritage "pasture" pigs, which eat primarily grass. Haven't convinced my husband yet, though. He is thoroughly involved in getting our U-pic blackberries under irrigation, planting thornless raspberries, as well as planting a LOT of sweet corn. Thank goodness the doctor has advised him not to have an operation on his left shoulder.

[phylm]

I just purchased a 8 LB pail of snow cap lard at Walmart for $8.82 .I have read that its not as bad as we have been told and of course its a natural product so that is better then shortening. I had some lard years ago when we raised a couple of pigs and it make for good flavor when cooking but not real sure what all I can use it for. Just felt impressed to buy it. Any thoughts on this subject.

Goldilocks,

Wish our Walmart carried 8 lb. pails of lard here. I have some 5 lb. pails in cool storage. My mother used to keep hers in crocks in a cool cellar.

Lard is great for tender pie crust, and I wouldn't want to use anything else for deep frying: doughnuts, fritters, potatoes. If the lard is rendered properly, it doesn't have any "meat" flavor. Fats and oils are going to be precious if The Stuff Hits the Fan. We really need to be able to produce our own.

I have been campaigning for some "heritage" pigs that can be grown primarily on grass. Haven't convinced my husband yet, though. He is thoroughly involved right now with putting in irrigation on the 2000 sq. ft. more of garden that he has just had tilled. He has planted LOTS of sweet corn in it, and is also the tending the big thornless blackberry plants we plan for U-pic this spring, and his order of thornless raspberries just arrived today.

He had carpal tunnel surgery done 3 weeks ago, but thank goodness, his surgeon has advised him not to have surgery on his shouder. It has a big tear in the muscle there, but he used the magnet shoulder sling I got him a couple of weeks ago, and has no pain anymore, trying to sleep. (The doctor told him that he has convinced him to try magnets!)

[Charsee]

Just noticed that Costco has coconut oil but a warning it is hydrogenated which could take away a lot of the purported health benefits.