Tallow and Lard page

[minerva]

I asked the farmer I get my beef from (grass raised, grain finished [home grown barley]) if the next time they slaughtered an animal if I could get some fat to render. She came thru big time. I have about 15lbs of beef fat (suet from around the kidneys) and some pork fat (their pigs are not quite free range but better than average).

I rendered my first batch yesterday but I'm wondering a few things

How long will it keep ? (Storing in wide mouth 2cup mason jars)

Any neat ideas to jazz it up for Xmas gift items to friends who would appreciate such a fine offering?

[breadsauce]

It will keep for months in a fridge.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I am getting a pound of pastured lard on Saturday. Never thought to give it as a Christmas gift!
My fat-phobic friends would think it was a cruel practical joke. Like getting a lump of coal...

I always thought tucking some cotton batting under a piece of fabric and screwing the lids together on the jar was nice. Add a ribon & voila!

[ottercat]

You could melt it in a larger pan and use cookie cutters to make festive shapes =D
Or just make nice labels and tie a bit of ribbon around it with a dangly mini-ornament. I wish Santa would bring me tallow!

[egger]

I gave lard with a cast iron skillet last year. Not exactly jazzed up though.

Sadly, I'm putting the cast iron away as latest blood test show I have near iron poisoning (eek).

[minerva]

I was thinking along the lines of flavored butter but infusing small amounts with herbs. Has anyone ever tried this? I was also looking at trying to make lardo so if anyone has ventured into this and had advice.

[Ajax]

Sadly, I'm putting the cast iron away as latest blood test show I have near iron poisoning (eek).

Whoa, I wasn't aware there was such a possibility! Is this somethign I should worry about if I cook a lot with my cast iron skillet??

[tfarny]

Lasts about like butter, makes an amazing gift. I wouldn't flavor it, because that actually makes it a lot less versatile and possibly more prone to spoilage.
If you have more than maybe a pint, you might want to freeze it. Won't affect flavor or anything.

[dkd2001]

I just parted mine out in butter-cube sized rolls, wrapped them in wax paper and put the "cubes" in a container in the freezer. Works great.

I do like the idea of flavored butter for gifts, but it could melt really easily and make quite a mess. Plus my dog would find it and eat it if it were under the tree.

[NorthernMonkeyGirl]

Pemmican for gift?
Or something that begs to be cooked in your plain fat - posh bacon? Golden goose eggs...?

Also - iron poisoning? Eek!