Paleo Good Fats: Rendering Lard

I know it's hard not to think lard ass when you read this post, but hold your eye rolls, this will not make your ass fatter (unless you sit on it 23 hours a day).  Lard used to be the go-to fat for most home cooks, how many grandmother's used coconut oil?  But it fell out of vogue during the microwave heyday and was replaced by some unsavory counterparts, can we say Crisco?  If you can find lard in the store, it's usually hydrogenated and pumped with preservatives, so do yourself a favor and make some yourself.

Still not convinced?  Lard is high in Vitamin D and just behind olive oil in monounsaturated fats (or MUFAs, which I have trouble saying without laughing), and tolerates high heat when cooking with it.   Monounsaturated fats are the 'good fats', and including them in your diet (according to the Mayo Clinic) improves "blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.  Research also shows thats MUFAs may benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, which can be helpful if you have Type 2 diabetes".

I got my pork fat from my Cook Pigs Ranch visit.  But you may be able to find it in specialty markets, or if you have a butcher they may carry it or can order it for you.  My suggestion, find a farmer.  They probably have tons.