Apfel-Kräuter-Schmalz (Apple and Herbs Schmalz)
This delicious spread refers to a traditional Austrian spread called “Grammelschmalz”. Grammelschmalz, also known as greaves lard or crackling lard, is a traditional Austrian spread made from rendered pork fat (lard) combined with crispy pork cracklings (greaves).
This vegan version is not only a true treat, but much omg so much better than its original! I love how the coconut oil combines well with the herbs and the apples, and how the rolled oats give this chunky character to this spread! Enjoy this super tasty and healthy re-invented Austrian tradition!
What do we need to make Apfel-Kräuter-Schmalz?
First of all, a grease component. In this case, we use coconut oil. Let me say that unrefined coconut oil is my personal favorite here, as I am very fond of its typical flavor which in this recipe fits super well in my opinion. However, if you don’t like the coconut ruling your spread, use refined coconut oil instead.
Secondly, we need something that makes the chunks seem like the pork cracklings. Honestly, I first was very surprised to find out that other re-inventors solve this “problem” with rolled oats (you can find links to the blogs that have inspired me on my path on the page “Links“. Show them your love too by paying them a visit!). And oh, how well they make the cracklings without disturbing the overall experience! I usually use the small rolled oats. The bigger ones should be perfect too, but I cannot say anything about them as I have never tried to use them here.
The apple. Well, it is not crucial to make a nice Vegan Grammelschmalz. But I love the idea to have something alkaline, something healthy, something a bit sweetish to make my prefered Schmalz. You can replace the apple with pear though. Or just omit it to make a more pure Grammelschmalz.
And then … the soy sauce. Well, this might seem a bit odd for a traditional Austrian dish. But it adds some umami like touch which I find here very nice. If you don’t have soy sauce at hand, you can use more salt instead.
Last, but not least, the dried herbs. Well, this is what I invented myself. But I would not omit them, as they add a super nice herbal flavor to the spread, which makes this version here unique.
Apfel-Kräuter-Schmalz (Apple and Herbs Schmalz)
Ingredients
- 1/2 apple
- 4 tbsp rolled oats
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1,5 tbsp herbes de Provence or a similar dried herbs mix
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 8 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Cut the apple in small pieces.
- In a saucepan, fry the rolled oats in the sunflower oil for ca. 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the apples, the herbs and the salt, fry for another 2 minutes. Take the saucepan off the heat. Add the soy sauce. Place back on low heat and let simmer for ca. 30 seconds. Be careful, the soy sauce burns fast!
- Take the saucepan off the heat. Stir in the coconut oil, until fully melted. Fill the mixture into a heat-proof jar with lid. It should fill a jar of 200 ml. Set aside to cool down. Then place into the fridge to set.