Removing excess fat

Food tip on removing excess fat from stocks, sauces, soups and stews

I received an email from Yinghui somewhere in Asia, they had heard that lettuce leaves could be used for removing fat from stocks, sauces, soups and stews and wanted to know if this was true and why.

Well, yes this will work and works purely because the lettuce acts as a 'sponge' and soaks it up, you place the lettuce leaves on top of the ‘offending item’ and leave for a minute or so and then remove with tongs and discard. Other vegetables could be used also but lettuce being the lightest can just sit on the surface where the fat would be. It does seem a great waste of lettuce though, when a good size spoon or ladle will also do the trick, here are the two methods I always use:

• As the rendered fat comes to the surface take a soup ladle or large spoon and make a small circular motion in the centre of the pot: this will (because of centrifugal) force the fat to the sides

• Scoop the fat up and dispose

• Repeat as necessary

If the stock, sauce, soup, stew etc is not needed until the next day, this is much easier:

• Transfer the soup into a bowl or similar clean container

• Place in the refrigerator over night

• The fat will settle on the surface and turn solid, which is very easily removed by hand