Cooking fat is an essential ingredient in many recipes, and there are several types of fats that can be used. LARD, which is made from rendered pork fat, is a popular choice for baking and frying. SUET, which is made from the fat around the kidneys and loins of beef or mutton, is often used to make pastry crusts and dumplings. OIL, such as vegetable, olive, or coconut OIL, is also commonly used in cooking. Oleo, which is a type of margarine, is a butter substitute that is often used in baking.