16 Shortening Substitute Indian Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 30, 2024
Shortening is a staple ingredient in many Indian recipes, used to add richness and depth of flavor to dishes such as curries, biryanis, and desserts. However, for those looking to make a healthier choice or who have dietary restrictions, finding a suitable substitute for traditional shortening can be a challenging task. Luckily, there are several alternatives available that can be used in place of shortening without compromising on taste or texture. Let's explore some of the best shortening substitutes for Indian cooking.
If you're looking to add some flavor and spice to your beer can chicken, try this Indian butter chicken recipe. The combination of tender chicken and creamy, flavorful sauce will have your taste buds dancing.
This recipe calls for classic Indian spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric, along with tangy yogurt and rich butter. The result is a mouth-watering dish that will impress your friends and family at your next barbecue.
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Moist White Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder
Beer can chicken isn't just for savory dishes – it can also be used to make delicious desserts. This moist white cake recipe incorporates the flavors of beer and citrus for a unique and tasty treat.
The beer adds a subtle depth of flavor to the cake, while the lemon and lime give it a refreshing zing. Top it off with a light cream cheese frosting for the perfect finish.
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Easy Homemade Biscuit
Main Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar, Shortening, Milk
Nothing goes better with beer can chicken than a warm and flaky homemade biscuit. This easy recipe uses just a few basic ingredients and can be whipped up in no time.
The secret to these biscuits is using real butter and buttermilk for maximum flavor and texture. They are the perfect accompaniment to any meal, but especially tasty alongside a juicy beer can chicken.
If you want to switch things up from traditional biscuits, try this Indian frybread recipe. It's a versatile and delicious side dish that can be served with beer can chicken or used as a base for other toppings.
This recipe uses simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt, but the result is a crispy and flavorful bread that will be a hit at your next cookout.
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The Bestest Banana Bread
Main Ingredients: Shortening, Salt, Eggs, Baking Soda, Bananas, Sugar
This beer can chicken recipe isn't complete without a sweet and flavorful dessert to end the meal. This banana bread is moist, rich, and packed with banana flavor.
The addition of beer gives this bread a unique and delicious twist. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.
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Flaky Pie Crust
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Powdered Sugar, Sea Salt
If you want to take your beer can chicken to the next level, try serving it with a homemade pie. And for the perfect pie, you'll need a flaky and buttery crust.
This recipe uses a combination of butter and shortening for the perfect texture, and a touch of honey for a hint of sweetness. Fill it with your favorite fruit or custard filling for a delicious and impressive dessert.
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Out of this World Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Main Ingredients: Butter, Shortening, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar
These chewy oatmeal cookies are the perfect sweet ending to a beer can chicken dinner. They are packed with oats, raisins, and cinnamon, and have a secret ingredient – beer!
The beer adds a unique depth of flavor to these cookies and keeps them perfectly moist and chewy. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next barbecue.
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Spicy Potato Samosas
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Kosher Salt, Vegetable Shortening
Samosas are a delicious and popular Indian snack, and they make a great side dish to go with beer can chicken. This recipe uses a flaky dough filled with spicy potatoes, peas, and spices.
The samosas are then baked until golden brown and crispy, making them a healthier alternative to the traditional fried version. Serve them with a side of mango chutney for an extra burst of flavor.
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Grandma's Perfect Pie Crust
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Salt, Shortening, Cold Water
Every cook needs a go-to pie crust recipe, and this one is sure to become your new favorite. Passed down from generations, this recipe uses simple ingredients like flour, salt, and butter for a flaky and delicious crust.
The key to this recipe is chilling the dough before rolling it out, which ensures a perfect crust every time. Use it to make your favorite fruit or meat pies to serve alongside your beer can chicken.
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Indian Chicken Korma
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Extra Virgin Olive
If you're tired of the same old beer can chicken recipes, try this Indian chicken korma for a flavorful and aromatic twist. This creamy and spicy dish is made with tender chicken, yogurt, and a blend of Indian spices.
The result is a rich and flavorful curry that pairs perfectly with a cold beer and juicy beer can chicken. Serve it with rice and naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Bride's Biscuits (Angel Biscuits)
Main Ingredients: Dry Yeast, Sugar, Warm Water, Flour, Baking Powder
These light and fluffy biscuits are a Southern favorite and the perfect side dish to serve with beer can chicken. They get their unique name from being so light and airy, they're like eating a little piece of heaven.
This recipe uses a combination of yeast and baking powder for the perfect texture, and a touch of sugar for a hint of sweetness. Serve them warm with a drizzle of honey for a real treat.
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Homemade Glazed Doughnuts
Main Ingredients: Whole Milk, Sugar, Active Dry Yeast, Large Eggs
If you're feeling ambitious, why not try making your own doughnuts to serve alongside your beer can chicken? This recipe uses a simple dough that is fried until golden brown and then dipped in a sweet glaze.
The addition of beer to the dough gives these doughnuts a unique and delicious flavor, making them the perfect indulgent treat to end your meal.
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Indian Rice (Pulao)
Main Ingredients: Saffron Threads, Boiling Water, Vegetable Shortening
This fragrant and flavorful rice dish is the perfect accompaniment to a spicy beer can chicken. The rice is cooked with aromatic spices like cumin, cardamom, and cloves, giving it an irresistible aroma and taste.
The addition of cashews and raisins adds a touch of sweetness and crunch to the dish. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Homemade Krispy Kreme Donuts
Main Ingredients: Yeast, Water, Milk, Sugar, Salt, Eggs, Shortening, All
If you love the sweet and fluffy doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, you'll love this homemade version even more. These doughnuts are light and airy, with a sweet glaze that will have you reaching for seconds.
The secret to these doughnuts is using beer in the dough, which gives them a unique and delicious flavor. Serve them warm for the ultimate indulgence.
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20 Minute Homemade Biscuits
Main Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar, Shortening, Milk
If you're short on time but still want to impress your guests with homemade biscuits, this recipe is for you. These biscuits can be whipped up in just 20 minutes, making them the perfect last-minute addition to your beer can chicken dinner.
The secret to their quick preparation is using self-rising flour, which already has the leavening agents mixed in. Serve them warm with a pat of butter for a simple and delicious side dish.
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Red Velvet Cupcakes
Main Ingredients: Shortening, Sugar, Cake Flour, Salt, Eggs, Buttermilk
No beer can chicken dinner is complete without a show-stopping dessert, and these red velvet cupcakes fit the bill. The rich and moist cupcakes are topped with a creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting for the perfect balance of flavors.
The addition of beer to the batter gives these cupcakes a unique and delicious twist. They are sure to be a hit at your next barbecue or dinner party.
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Homemade Tortillas
Main Ingredients: Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Shortening, Hot Water
For a Mexican-inspired twist on beer can chicken, try serving it with homemade tortillas. These soft and fluffy tortillas are surprisingly easy to make and will take your meal to the next level.
The dough is made with just a few simple ingredients, including flour, salt, and oil. Use them to make tacos, quesadillas, or simply serve them alongside your beer can chicken.
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Spicy Indian Biscuits [Vegan]
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Rice Flour, Cumin
If you're looking for a vegan side dish to serve with your beer can chicken, these spicy Indian biscuits are a must-try. Made with whole wheat flour, olive oil, and a blend of Indian spices, they are packed with flavor and have a satisfying crunch.
These biscuits are the perfect addition to a vegetarian or vegan beer can chicken dinner, but they are so tasty, even meat-eaters will love them.
This easy and flavorful Indian dish is the perfect accompaniment to beer can chicken. Chana masala is made with chickpeas, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices for a hearty and satisfying meal.
The best part? This dish can be made in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal to pair with your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
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Favorite Indian Lentils and Spinach (Dal Palak)
Main Ingredients: Red Lentils, Baby Spinach Leaves, Water, Salt, Ground
This traditional Indian dish is a delicious and nutritious side dish to serve with beer can chicken. Dal palak is made with lentils, spinach, and a blend of Indian spices for a flavorful and comforting dish.
The lentils add protein and fiber to the meal, making it a well-rounded and satisfying accompaniment to your beer can chicken dinner.
Coconut Oil
One of the most popular and easily accessible substitutes for shortening is coconut oil. This versatile oil has a high smoke point and adds a subtle hint of sweetness to dishes, making it a great option for both savory and sweet recipes. It also has a similar consistency and texture to traditional shortening, making it an ideal replacement in recipes that call for solid fat. Additionally, coconut oil is rich in healthy fats and adds a unique flavor profile to dishes, making it a great choice for those looking to add a twist to their favorite Indian recipes.
How to use:
To use coconut oil as a substitute for shortening, simply replace it in equal amounts in your recipe. However, keep in mind that coconut oil has a lower melting point than shortening, so it is best to refrigerate or freeze it before using it in recipes that require solid fat.
Butter
Another easily available and popular shortening substitute is butter. While it may not be a suitable option for those on a vegan or dairy-free diet, butter adds a rich and creamy texture to dishes, making it a great choice for baked goods and savory dishes alike. It also has a similar consistency to shortening and can be used in equal amounts in most recipes.
How to use:
To use butter as a substitute for shortening, simply replace it in equal amounts in your recipe. However, keep in mind that butter has a lower smoke point than shortening, so it is best to use it in recipes that require lower cooking temperatures.
Avocado
For a healthier alternative to shortening, avocado makes an excellent substitute. This superfood is rich in healthy fats and adds a creamy texture to dishes, making it a great choice for recipes that require solid fat. It also has a mild flavor that won't overpower other ingredients, making it a versatile option for both savory and sweet dishes.
How to use:
To use avocado as a substitute for shortening, simply replace it in equal amounts in your recipe. However, keep in mind that avocado has a lower smoke point than shortening, so it is best to use it in recipes that require lower cooking temperatures.
With these easy and delicious shortening substitutes, you can now enjoy your favorite Indian dishes without having to worry about compromising your dietary needs. So go ahead and get creative in the kitchen with these healthy and flavorful alternatives.