Help! I need healthy shortening substitutes...

[channlluv]

A co-worker and I are making lunch for the faculty and staff tomorrow (Wednesday). I'm doing a vegetarian chili and desserts for 25 - 30 people. That's why the two cakes. I think that will be enough.

Christmas Eve dinner and then Christmas Day dinner with the family will be for about 12 people each, but I only have to do casseroles and desserts for Christmas Day. And maybe bake some bread.

I have coconut oil at home. I had forgotten about it. I'll do a trial run recipe to see if it works. If not, I'll just go back to the Crisco and stick to the once-a-year plan with added intervals (thanks, Trek!).

We've had a lot of fruit tarts and such from Trader Joe's already -- this is for Lunch Bunch, that happens every Wednesday, and it's my turn tomorrow. I'll run over there and see what they've got that's seasonal and easy.

Thanks for all the very good advice, friends.

Roxy

[indysteel]

A co-worker and I are making lunch for the faculty and staff tomorrow (Wednesday). I'm doing a vegetarian chili and desserts for 25 - 30 people. That's why the two cakes. I think that will be enough.

Christmas Eve dinner and then Christmas Day dinner with the family will be for about 12 people each, but I only have to do casseroles and desserts for Christmas Day. And maybe bake some bread.

I have coconut oil at home. I had forgotten about it. I'll do a trial run recipe to see if it works. If not, I'll just go back to the Crisco and stick to the once-a-year plan with added intervals (thanks, Trek!).

We've had a lot of fruit tarts and such from Trader Joe's already -- this is for Lunch Bunch, that happens every Wednesday, and it's my turn tomorrow. I'll run over there and see what they've got that's seasonal and easy.

Thanks for all the very good advice, friends.

Roxy

I have a tremendous sweet tooth and love anything made of fat and sugar....but at an office lunch, I'm overjoyed when dessert consists of something light and healthy. Otherwise, I get a food coma and I'm worthless the rest of the day. Of course I could just decline dessert, but you know how that goes.

So, while I know it doesn't seem as festive, why not just serve fruit for dessert? You could provide a heathy yogurt based dip if people really feel like they need something uber sweet to go along with it. Or how 'bout some small pieces of dark chocolate?

Especially around the holidays, I just think there's a lot we can do as hostesses to encourage and offer healthier choices.

[skhill]

I've used good old-fashioned lard in place of shortening in family recipes, and it's generally worked pretty well. Not that lard is a health food, but at least it's a traditional fat, non-hydrogenated (but you do need to check the labels, some brands are partially hydrogenated).

some day, I'll get over my fear of large pots of hot oil and render my own lard-- the farmer I buy my pork from doesn't sell lard, but he's offered to let me have some of the raw materials for free...

[channlluv]

I have a tremendous sweet tooth and love anything made of fat and sugar....but at an office lunch, I'm overjoyed when dessert consists of something light and healthy. Otherwise, I get a food coma and I'm worthless the rest of the day. Of course I could just decline dessert, but you know how that goes.

So, while I know it doesn't seem as festive, why not just serve fruit for dessert? You could provide a heathy yogurt based dip if people really feel like they need something uber sweet to go along with it. Or how 'bout some small pieces of dark chocolate?

Especially around the holidays, I just think there's a lot we can do as hostesses to encourage and offer healthier choices.

Golly, Indy. I'm a little embarrassed to say I didn't even think of fruit for dessert, shy of a fruit topping for cheesecake.

I don't have any fruit worthy of serving to 25 people, though, and I'm done for the day as far as shopping goes. I may go to TJ's and pick up a fruit tray tomorrow, though. That's a great suggestion.

And as for lighter and healthier, I'm going to make some oatmeal-almond flour cookies with dark chocolate chips, with coconut oil. That I've got.

I really appreciate the suggestions here, everyone. Thank you!

Roxy

[NbyNW]

If you do ever try out those family recipes with some of the substitutes that everyone suggested, let us know how they turn out!

[Becky]

And as for lighter and healthier, I'm going to make some oatmeal-almond flour cookies with dark chocolate chips, with coconut oil. That I've got.

Could you please share your recipe? I have a bag of almond flour that's just begging for me to use it....

(also, any ideas for coconut flour?)

Thanks!

[indysteel]

Golly, Indy. I'm a little embarrassed to say I didn't even think of fruit for dessert, shy of a fruit topping for cheesecake.

I don't have any fruit worthy of serving to 25 people, though, and I'm done for the day as far as shopping goes. I may go to TJ's and pick up a fruit tray tomorrow, though. That's a great suggestion.

And as for lighter and healthier, I'm going to make some oatmeal-almond flour cookies with dark chocolate chips, with coconut oil. That I've got.

I really appreciate the suggestions here, everyone. Thank you!

Roxy

Sounds good! Can I come to your lunch btw?