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Like the Terminator.

Polish smalec is much better than lard. It has much more texture. It is more like the lard with bacon. My mom loved it. I do not know exactly how she did it. Is it possible to do it just from bacon?

Smalec was eaten in the family of my mother when she was small since they did not have butter than much either.

I loved smalec from time to time

I vaguely remember smalec as a child. I remembered it as the grease from frying and it was then solidified and used to put on bread (had to be Polish rye).(I think my Dad ate it) I am sure I must have tried it once. Don't remember disliking it but then I don't think I ate it that much. I remeber hearing my mom using that term and always thought she meant grease in Polish.

Maybe this was a food eaten as many when there is nothing you find a substitute for it. Waste not want not. My mom growing up in the war time never threw anything out.

There are many places in Poland to get smalec on bread with a pickle.
Last time I had it was in Kasmier Dolny. And it has to be on good Polish rye bread. I bought it in a bakery/resturant.

Smalec made with a little bit of onions and bacon is delicious, of course not to be eaten daily. I wouldn't worry too much about cholesterol, margarine is worse than moderate use of butter.
Long life to both!