Lard was the canary in the coal mine of culinary correctness. Rendered pig fat was ubiquitous in human diets for centuries. It was used to fry everything from dough to chicken and was an essential ...

The best pies start with the best crusts. Learn how to make our best pie crust recipe using these step-by-step instructions ...

We tested three common fats to see which would produce the crispiest, flakiest pie crust. We tested three common fats—butter, shortening, and lard—to see which would produce the crispiest, flakiest ...

Use lard or very cold butter for a flaky crust. Avoid overworking dough to prevent a tough texture. Pre-bake the bottom crust to prevent sogginess. Soften vegetables before adding them to the filling.

This versatile fat makes my tamales, fried chicken, noodles, and baked goods so much better.