Best 5 Schmaltz And Gribenes Recipes

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Schmaltz and gribenes are two traditional Jewish culinary staples made from rendered chicken fat. Schmaltz is the golden liquid fat, while gribenes are the crispy, golden brown chicken skin and connective tissues left behind after rendering. Both schmaltz and gribenes are used in a variety of dishes, from matzo ball soup to latkes, adding a rich, savory flavor and texture. This article will provide guidance on how to make the best schmaltz and gribenes at home.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES



Schmaltz and Gribenes image

Schmaltz is rendered poultry fat, in this case made from chicken, while gribenes are its crispy, crackling-like byproduct that comes from bits of chicken skin. The key to this recipe is to go low and slow: You want the fat to cook gently and thoroughly so it renders completely without burning. Some would argue that the onion is mandatory and not optional, but if you plan to use the schmaltz for very delicate recipes, or sweet recipes (chilled schmaltz works wonderfully as the fat in pastry dough), feel free to leave it out. Your schmaltz won't have as deep a flavor, but it will be more versatile. Schmaltz will last for at least a week in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer. If your butcher won't sell it to you, the best way to obtain chicken skin and fat is to collect trimmings in the freezer every time you buy a whole bird. Or you can strip the skin and fat from chicken thighs and save the skinless meat to use in other recipes.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 1/2 cup schmaltz, 2 cups gribenes

Number Of Ingredients 3

3/4 pound chicken skin and fat, diced (use scissors, or freeze then dice with a knife)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, toss chicken skin and fat with salt and 1 tablespoon water and spread out in one layer. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until fat starts to render and skin begins to turn golden at the edges.
  • Add onions and cook 45 to 60 minutes longer, tossing occasionally, until chicken skin and onions are crispy and richly browned, but not burned.
  • Strain through a sieve. Reserve the schmaltz. If you want the gribenes to be crispier, return to the skillet and cook over high heat until done to taste. Drain gribenes on a paper-towel-lined plate.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 249, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 0 grams, Fat 25 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 132 milligrams, TransFat 0 grams

SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENESS



Schmaltz and Gribeness image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     condiments, project

Time 1h

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 pounds chicken fat and skin
1 cup water
1 large onion, shredded
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Cut the chicken skin in 1/4-inch strips and dice the fat. Place the skin and fat in a large, heavy skillet, add the water, and simmer over medium heat for 35 to 45 minutes until the water has evaporated.
  • Add the onion to the pan and continue cooking over medium heat until the onion is soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
  • Strain the mixture and add the salt to the solid part: the skin and onion called gribeness. The remaining liquid is the schmaltz. Both should be stored in tightly covered containers in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a month. Use schmaltz for frying and sauteeing or as a spread. Gribeness can be used to garnish mashed potatoes and salads or eaten as finger food.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 411, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 0 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 150 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES (RENDERED CHICKEN FAT)



Schmaltz and Gribenes (Rendered Chicken Fat) image

The classic Jewish fat for use in meat dishes. The clarified fat is called "schmaltz," and the onion and crispy skin bits are called "gribenes." Gribenes are an essential addition to chopped liver and mashed potatoes (for knish or blintz fillings, or just for eating) or scrambled eggs. The water is necessary to keep the onions from burning before the fat melts. Serving size approx 1 tbsp.

Provided by DrGaellon

Categories     European

Time 2h5m

Yield 1 pound, 30 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 lb raw chicken fat
2 large onions, roughly chopped
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Chop the fat into large chunks. Combine everything in a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook slowly 1 1/2 - 2 hours, until the water has evaporated, the fat is completely melted, and the onion has turned dark mahogany brown, but not burned.
  • Strain the clear fat into a clean jar and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in refrigerator up to 3 months, or in freezer up to a year. The gribenes should be used within a few days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.4, Fat 15.1, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 12.9, Sodium 232.9, Carbohydrate 1, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.4, Protein 0.1

SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES



Schmaltz and Gribenes image

How to render chicken fat and make crispy gribenes cracklings, a classic ingredient in traditional Jewish cooking.

Provided by Tori Avey

Categories     Appetizer

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 lb chicken skin and fat, (cut into narrow 1/2 inch pieces)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 medium onion, (sliced into thin 1/4 inch pieces)

Steps:

  • Rinse the pound of chicken skin and fat, pat dry, then chop it into small 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Toss the chicken skin pieces with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place the skin and fat into a skillet on the stovetop (make sure it's cast iron or nonstick!) and turn heat to medium low. Cover the skillet and let it cook on medium low for about 15 minutes. Liquid fat will start to pool at the bottom of the skillet.
  • Uncover the skillet and raise heat to medium. At this point you can add onion, which will give you an onion-flavored darker colored schmaltz, or you can render the fat without onion for a cleaner, purer fat with no onion essence. Most Jewish cooks prefer to render the fat with onion. Let the skin and fat cook for another 15-20 minutes, breaking the pieces apart with a spatula and stirring frequently, until the skin starts to brown and curl at the edges. At this point there should be quite a bit of liquid fat at the bottom of the pan-this liquid is your schmaltz.
  • Remove pan from heat. Pour the schmaltz from the skillet into a container, using a mesh strainer to catch any small pieces of skin. A golden oil will result-this is called schmaltz. It can be used in a variety of Jewish dishes or as a cooking fat.
  • If you cooked the onions as the fat rendered, your oil will be a darker golden color with an orange hue. The schmaltz will stay liquid at room temperature; it will become solid and opaque if you refrigerate it.
  • If you cooked the skin and onion together, return to medium heat and continue cooking in the skillet until the skin is deeply golden, curled and crispy, and the onions are dark brown. Drain on a paper towel and serve.
  • If you did not cook the onions with the skin, you can cook them after the schmaltz is collected. Return the cooked chicken skin and fat to the skillet.
  • Turn heat to medium and sauté the mixture for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Don't leave them alone for long or they'll burn! Adjust heat lower as needed to keep from blackening too much.When pieces are dark brown and crispy, remove the gribenes from the skillet with a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel. They become crispier as they cool.
  • Gribenes can be snacked on as-is or added to other dishes as a topping.
  • Rinse the pound of chicken skin and fat, pat dry, then chop it into small 1/2 inch pieces.Cut your onions into slices, then cut slices into pieces around 1/4 inch long.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the chicken skin and fat with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then spread it out into a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Place baking sheet in the oven and let it roast for 20 minutes, until the skin starts to turn golden and curl at the edges. Fat will have started collecting on the sheet.
  • Add onions to the hot baking sheet, spreading them out evenly throughout the chicken skin.
  • Return to oven and continue roasting for another 40-50 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy and the onions are dark brown. When stirring, make sure to move the pieces on the outside towards the center, and move the center pieces out towards the middle, so the pieces evenly brown.
  • When the pieces become crispy, remove from the oven and let the tray cool down. Strain the fat from the tray through a mesh strainer into a collection container.
  • The gribenes are delicious to snack on or used as a topping. The schmaltz should be saved and used in a variety of savory dishes. In will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 171 kcal, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 97 mg, ServingSize 1 serving

SCHMALTZ AND GRIBENES



Schmaltz and Gribenes image

Provided by Sharon Lebewohl

Categories     Chicken     Onion     Passover     Pan-Fry     Kosher

Yield Makes about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 cups chicken fat and skin, cut into 1/2-inch pieces or smaller
Kosher salt
Pinch of pepper
1 cup onion rings, about 1/8-inch thick

Steps:

  • 1. Wash fat and skin well in a colander, and pat dry. Place in a heavy skillet, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
  • 2. Cook, uncovered, over low heat (you can turn it up a bit once the fat has begun melting). When the fat starts to melt and get slightly brown, add onions (and garlic cloves if you like), and continue cooking until onions and cracklings are golden brown and crunchy.
  • 3. When partially cooled, strain over a bowl to remove onions and cracklings, and refrigerate them in a covered glass jar. Poor schmaltz into another jar, cover, and refrigerate.

Tips:

  • Choose the right fat: The best schmaltz is made from high-quality chicken or goose fat. Avoid using fats that have been hydrogenated or processed, as these can create a less flavorful schmaltz.
  • Render the fat slowly: The key to making good schmaltz is to render the fat slowly over low heat. This allows the fat to release its full flavor and aroma.
  • Don't overcrowd the pot: When rendering the fat, don't overcrowd the pot. This will prevent the fat from rendering evenly and can result in a less flavorful schmaltz.
  • Strain the schmaltz: Once the fat has been rendered, strain it through a cheesecloth-lined colander to remove any impurities.
  • Store the schmaltz properly: Schmaltz can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Conclusion:

Schmaltz is a versatile and flavorful fat that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is especially popular in Jewish cuisine, where it is used to make everything from matzo ball soup to latkes. With its rich flavor and crispy texture, schmaltz is a delicious and satisfying addition to any meal.

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