Trans fats and Trex ?

bluemoon_3

I got some Cookeen the other day to try, since it was reduced. It says there are no hydrogenated oils and the ingredients list simply says "vegetable oils".

However, I've been confused about this. I thought it was hydrogenation that made vegetable oils solid at room temperature? Does anyone know how these fats stay solid without containing hydrogenated oils?

morganlefay

Arrgh, busy weekend so no time for this. I think the discussion above shows how impossible it is to know ! Penny, I usually make the Katie Stewart mince pie pastry (butter-only plus ground almonds, impossible to roll out but delicious) but this time I tried the 'best Ever mince pie recipe from the Xmas thread, which asks for Trex,( which I have never used before)and the pastry was the shortest, melt in the mouth that I have ever made. My packet is a paper box and has a huge recipe on the bottom so minimal contents table squished on to one side. It looks as if it was squirted into the box when runny, and then set.(V suspicious) I got it from Tescos; it does say no e numbers, no colours no preservatives on the top of box, but it DOESNT say 'no hydrogenated fats' so I am none the wiser. In August Good Food mag did an article on Trans fats which gives a web address: tfx.org.uk whihc is really scary - it seems that they lurk everywhere (including in rapeseed oil which I was told was better for us that olive) . I think I shall go back to katie Stewart until I can find Trex in foil, because I'm suspicious still. But isn't it hard to work out exactly what's what ?

thriftlady_2

Stick with lard:D I use half lard and half butter in my pastry. But, for mince pies I like puff pastry, so this year I'm using ready-made all butter puff.

I think if there were no HVOs in it, it would be very clearly stated on the packet in big letters.

Alfietinker

I don't know if it's any help but I made the 'best mince pie pastry' which said to use Trex which I couldn't find so I used half lard and half butter and it is yummy so I'll use this in future.

[Deleted User]

if you have any doubts about what to use then read this

http://environment.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,1881919,00.html

I am using butter and lard for my pastry and have done for years. This is truly os, even though it is not the chaepest way

morganlefay

I have just been to Waitrose who I thought would be sure to sell only the more virtuous fats (their non-all-butter mince pies say 'No HVOs' on box) and have inspected their Trex. It was in boxes (not foil pack) and does not say that it has no HVO, so I assume this is Old-style Trex and still contains it, but Cookeen (also marketed by Princes) says loudly on wrapper 'Free from Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil'. So I'm now going to make some mince pies with Cookeen, some with lard and some with all-butter and will get family to judge on taste, shortness, etc etc. Thank you all so much for help !:beer:

Penelope_Penguin

morganlefay wrote:

So I'm now going to make some mince pies with Cookeen, some with lard and some with all-butter and will get family to judge on taste, shortness, etc etc.:beer:

Please can I volunteer to help with the arduous task of mince-pie tasting?

Penny. x

morganlefay

Most welcome PenelopeP, just pop round about tea time tomorrow - Earl Grey or British Rail for you ? I think I'll be having British Rail, tho there's Peppermint or Lady Grey available as well (as well as the many crumbling, burnt and/or superb mincepies):beer:

thriftlady_2

morganlefay wrote:

I have just been to Waitrose who I thought would be sure to sell only the more virtuous fats

That's reminded me - all Waitrose's dried fruit is coated in HVOs which I find surprising and not a little annoying.

Folio

I bought some Trex yesterday for the first time. Across the front of the packet in easy to read lettering it says:-

"NO HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL: NO E NUMBERS: NO COLOURS: NO PRESERVATIVES."