Extreme Kitchen DIY: Dripping.

Many, many stories here over the years have included a mention of “dripping” and it is an important ingredient in many of the recipes on the blog. It can be used to make any number of delicious things, including margarine and Dripping Pudding, and should you want or need to, you can even preserve it for long keeping (as on a voyage, for example.)

Dripping is a very versatile, if old-fashioned and not nutritionally-PC, ingredient in the kitchen, but as with so many things, simple is best. Some of you will remember the simple joy of bread and dripping, especially if you scored the crunchy bits on the bottom of the bowl. The best dripping of course does not have crunchy bits at the bottom, it is pure, clean fat. And for that, one needs to know how to clarify it. And for instructions on that, one needs to go to a book of Hard-Time Cookery. Luckily for us, a book with just that title was published in Britain in 1940 by the Association of Teachers of Domestic Subjects.

Clarified Dripping

Put the dripping into a saucepan with enough cold water to cover it, Bring gradually up to the boil, removing any scum as it arises. Strain into a bowl and put aside to get cold. The fat will set on the top of the water. Take it off, scrape the bottom. Put the fat into a saucepan and heat it gently until all the water in it has evaporated. If water is left in the fat it will not keep. Dripping beaten up to a soft creamy consistency is excellent for making cakes, pastry, etc.

Clarified Fat.

Cut the fat into small pieces. Put into a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Skim well. Boil until nearly all the water has evaporated. Reduce the heat and stir occasionally to prevent the fat from sticking. When the pieces look dried up and sink to the bottom of the melted fat, remove the pan from the fire. Cool slightly and strain through a fine strainer.