Beef & Veal
Beef & Veal Fat
Beef contains two types of fat: the external fat found just below the skin, and internal fat, found throughout the meat and in the animal's body. A good layer of external fat reveals that the meat came from a healthy animal.
The external fat is also important as it protects the meat from bacteria, allowing it to be hung and aged, which greatly improves the meat's taste and texture.
The fat keeps the meat moist and juicy when it's cooked in the dry heat of an oven or grill. Marbling, the streaks of fat found running through meat, add succulence, as these threads of fat baste the meat as it cooks.
Tallow
Beef tallow has a very low quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids making it very good for frying. Grass-fed beef develops higher ratios of the essential omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which is deposited in their fat and beneficial to our health.
Suet
Suet is not just for bird feeders, it is a very hard fat with a high melting point, making it excellent for deep-frying and pastry. Rich, but with no strong beefy flavour, suet is good for both savoury and sweet dishes.
Bone marrow
Bone Marrow is only appreciated by a minority these days, but it is a tasty, textural experience that is good for you!
Dripping
Dripping, the fat that drips from meat as it cooks, can be used not only to make the best gravy, but can also be rendered or clarified and then used to sauté meat and vegetables adding an extra layer of flavour.
Source: "Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, with Recipes" by Jennifer McLagan