Can you use solidified bacon fat in place of shortening for pinto beans recipe that calls a half cup water and 1 TBSP shortening?

No, you cannot use solidified bacon fat instead of shortening in a pinto beans recipe that calls for half a cup of water and one tablespoon of shortening.

Shortening is a solid fat made from vegetable oils, while bacon fat is a liquid oil rendered from pork fat. Shortening is used to add richness and texture to baked goods, while bacon fat is used to add flavor to savory dishes.

The two fats are not interchangeable, as they have different properties and flavors. Shortening is a solid at room temperature, while bacon fat is a liquid, which would affect the consistency of the pinto beans recipe. Additionally, bacon fat has a strong smoky flavor, which would alter the flavor of the beans.

If you do not have shortening on hand, you can try substituting another solid fat, such as butter, lard, or coconut oil.