Shortening: meaning, definitions and examples

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shortening

[ˈʃɔːtənɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

abbreviation

The act of making something shorter or more concise.

Synonyms

abbreviation, compression, condensation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shortening	Usually used in cooking and baking to refer to fat used to make pastry doughs tender. Add two tablespoons of shortening to the dough. Shortening gives the cookies a crisp texture.
abbreviation	Used when referring to a shorter form of a word or phrase. 'Mr.' is an abbreviation for 'Mister'. The abbreviation 'ASAP' stands for 'As Soon As Possible'.
condensation	Primarily used in scientific, especially in physical sciences, to describe the process where a gas changes to a liquid, or to make something denser or more concentrated. Condensation forms on the outside of a cold glass. A condensation of ideas into a brief summary can be very effective.
compression	Commonly used in scientific and engineering contexts to describe the act of making something smaller or more compact by applying pressure or reducing space. The engineer tested the compression strength of the materials. File compression reduces the size of the document.

Examples of usage

The shortening of the document saved a lot of time in the meeting.
The shortening of the URL made it easier to share online.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

cooking

A type of solid fat used in baking to make pastries flaky.

Synonyms

butter, fat, lard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shortening	Use in baking recipes where you want a flaky texture in pastries and cookies. For a perfect pie crust, mix the flour with shortening Shortening helps make cookies softer and more tender
fat	General term for any type of fat used in cooking, often used when discussing nutritional content. Be mindful of your fat intake for a balanced diet Various fats like butter, oil, and lard are essential in cooking
lard	Used in traditional and rustic cooking, particularly for frying and baking. Often associated with a stronger taste. Lard makes an excellent frying medium for traditional recipes To make authentic tamales, include lard for the masa
butter	Ideal in baking, cooking, and as a spread. Adds flavor and richness to dishes. Spread butter on your toast for breakfast Use butter for a rich, creamy cake Sauté vegetables in butter for a delicious taste

Examples of usage

The recipe calls for a cup of shortening for the pie crust.
Butter can be used as a substitute for shortening in some recipes.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

cooking

The process of making a dough or pastry mixture crumbly by rubbing in fat.

Synonyms

combine, crumble, rub in.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shortening	This term is mostly used in baking to refer to any fat that is solid at room temperature and can be used to make crumbly pastry. It is specifically used to create flaky textures in baked goods. You should add some shortening to the pie crust recipe to make it more flaky and tender
crumble	This term has dual use; in cooking, it refers to a dessert with a crumbly topping made from ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter. It is also used as a verb to describe breaking something into smaller, rough pieces. To make an apple crumble, sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the fruit and bake until golden brown The cookie was so dry it would crumble at the slightest touch
rub in	This phrase is often used in baking to describe the technique of mixing fat into flour with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. It's a specific step in creating the right texture for certain pastries. For a perfect pie crust, rub in the cold butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs
combine	This word is used in cooking or baking to describe the action of mixing ingredients together until they are evenly distributed. It's a general term for mixing multiple items into one unified mixture. Combine the flour, sugar, and butter in the bowl before adding the eggs

Examples of usage

Shortening the dough before baking will result in a flaky texture.
Make sure to properly shorten the pastry mixture for the best results.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Uses

Many baked goods, like cookies and pie crusts, use shortening to create a flaky and tender texture.
Shortening can be made from various fats, including vegetable oils, which are often healthier alternatives to butter.
In some recipes, shortening can be replaced by butter or margarine, but it may change the final taste and texture.

History

The first commercial shortening, Crisco, was introduced in 1911 and changed how people baked by providing an alternative to animal fats.
Shortening was developed initially to prevent rancidity in baked goods and to extend shelf life.
The word 'shortening' comes from the term 'short', which refers to making the texture less chewy, giving pastries their crumbly quality.

Nutrition

While shortening improves texture, it can also be higher in trans fats, which are linked to health risks when consumed in large amounts.
Healthier versions of shortening are now available, made from blends of oils that contain no trans fats.
Balancing the use of shortening with other healthier fats can create a nutritious approach to baking.

Popular Culture

Shortening has been featured in cookbooks for decades, emphasizing its role in traditional baking techniques.
With the rise of vegan cooking, plant-based shortenings are gaining popularity, showing versatility in modern recipes.
The name 'shortening' often comes up in baking competitions, highlighting its importance in culinary skills.

Science

The chemical composition of shortening allows it to blend smoothly with other ingredients, achieving the desired texture in baked goods.
Understanding the melting point of shortening helps bakers control how it interacts with other ingredients during cooking.
In the kitchen, shortening acts as an emulsifier, helping mix water and fats together smoothly, which is crucial in baking.

Translations

Translations of the word "shortening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encurtamento

🇮🇳 संक्षिप्तीकरण

🇩🇪 Verkürzung

🇮🇩 pemendekan

🇺🇦 скорочення

🇵🇱 skrócenie

🇯🇵 短縮

🇫🇷 raccourcissement

🇪🇸 acortamiento

🇹🇷 kısaltma

🇰🇷 단축

🇸🇦 اختصار

🇨🇿 zkrácení

🇸🇰 skrátenie

🇨🇳 缩短

🇸🇮 skrajšanje

🇮🇸 stytting

🇰🇿 қысқарту

🇬🇪 შემოკლება

🇦🇿 qısaldılması

🇲🇽 acortamiento

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,591, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10588 essentials
10589 retrospective
10590 homosexual
10591 shortening
10592 branched
10593 beetle
10594 fictitious
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