where can I buy shortening or an equivalent in England?!
Answers:
Use butter. Gives a better taste.
been baking for 50 years
UK
In short, fat weakens gluten networks (chains of gluten particles) by preventing gluten compounds from bonding with one another. Since shortening has a higher fat content than regular butter, marg or oil, it has a higher chance of weakening the gluten network.
You can use lard, suet and Trex..all are found in every UK supermarket
Shortening is just a solid block vegetable fat. So any of the block oils would do.
However, its solid because it is hydrogenated and lately, medical opinion is that this type of trans-fat as it is known is really bad for us.
However, hydrogenated oils do give a crispy textured finish and that is why they crop up in biscuits and pastries.
You'll have to decide what is best for you and yours. Perhaps try a mixture of Butter and Lard instead for a crispy finish, but in moderation of course course. Watch your intake of saturated fat too!
Trex
Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess"
Its disgusting. We stopped using it in the 1970s. Stuff like Trex still exists for grannies in the WRI. Use butter!
Ask in a supermarket.
In the grocery store.
Try Tesco's or Sainsbury's...
Some options are Flora White, Stork or Trex
