To Render Chicken Fat Recipes

RENDERED CHICKEN FAT (SCHMALTZ)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the fat and skin scraps in a heavy-bottomed, nonreactive pot ( cast iron , copper, and aluminum can give your schmaltz an off taste). Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the scraps render most of their fat and begin to brown.
• Add the onion, if using. Raise the heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken scraps are golden brown and crispy, but not burnt. Turn off the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
• Strain into a heatproof glass or Pyrex container. Canning jars work well for this. A fine-mesh strainer will work in a pinch, but cheesecloth or a paper or cloth coffee filter are best.
• Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to six months.

RENDERED CHICKEN FAT

Steps:

• Place the chicken fat and salt in a small, heavy saucepan.
• Cook very slowly over low heat, stirring from time to time, until the fat is completely liquified and the cracklings are golden brown.
• Strain the fat into a jar or crock and refrigerate. Reserve the cracklings - crisp, fried bits that are left after fat is rendered - to use in making chopped liver or as a garnish for salads or mashed potatoes.

SCHMALTZ (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT) RECIPE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine chicken fat and skin with just enough water to barely cover. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then lower heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until fat has mostly rendered, water has cooked off, and chicken skin and fat pieces are small, browned, and starting to crisp, about 50 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Strain rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) through fine mesh strainer and use as directed. Reserve crisped chicken skin, fat, and onion (called gribenes in Yiddish), if desired (they can be eaten as a snack with salt, or stirred into chopped liver).

TO RENDER CHICKEN FAT

Steps:

• Remove the large pieces of fat from just inside the main body cavity of the bird. Place them in a small skillet over medium heat and cook until the fat renders out, 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the fat into a jar and cover. The main cavity of an average chicken will contain 1 to 2 ounces of fat. This will yield 1 to 2 tablespoons rendered fat. You can render this amount or, alternatively, save lumps of fat in the freezer and render a cup or two at a time. (The lumps of fat will keep, frozen, for about 2 months.) Rendered chicken fat will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

SCHMALTZ (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Partially cover the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. The fat will begin to crackle as it cooks. When you no longer hear the fat crackle, remove the lid, reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook until the skin becomes crispy, about 15 to 25 minutes. Lower the heat, if necessary, to keep the skin from browning too quickly. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Strain into a small bowl. If desired, reserve the crispy skin. Refrigerate, covered for up to 1 week.
• Tip: Trim the chicken fat and skin from whole birds before roasting and store it in the freezer until there is enough to render, or ask your butcher for some.

TO RENDER CHICKEN FAT

Steps:

• Remove the large pieces of fat from just inside the main body cavity of the bird. Place them in a small skillet over medium heat and cook until the fat renders out, 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the fat into a jar and cover. The main cavity of an average chicken will contain 1 to 2 ounces of fat. This will yield 1 to 2 tablespoons rendered fat. You can render this amount or, alternatively, save lumps of fat in the freezer and render a cup or two at a time. (The lumps of fat will keep, frozen, for about 2 months.) Rendered chicken fat will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.