I bought some Xanthan gum from Netrition for thickening sauces like stir fry soy sauces. But the bottle has no directions on it and my low carb cookbooks only tell you to use it but now how much or anything like that. One cookbook did say it takes over an hour to thicken. Could someone give me some directions please?

katlupe

I use it to thicken gravies, soup, and syrups. The only way I have found to effectivly use xanthan is to use either an immersion blender or pour the liquid into a regular blender to incorporate the xanthan into the hot liquid. otherwise it tends to clump. As to the amount, it all depends on how thick you are trying to make the liquid. That is a matter of personal preference that you can determine through trial and error. Start with about 1/4 tsp per cup of liquid and see if you like the thickness of the product. It definitely does NOT take an hour to thicken, 1-2 minutes is my experience. Dana Carpender, in one of her books, said she now puts xanthan into a salt shaker and shales it into the liquid while whisking vigorously. I have not tried that method as I prefer to use my immersion blender.

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Henry

I don't have an immersion blender but I think I could use an electric beater in the hot liquid.

I just ordered Dana Carpender's cookbook today!

Thank you for the quick answer!

katlupe

Xanthan Gum in a bottle? Does that mean it's a liquid?

I've been using Xanthan Gum for years to thicken sauces and gravies, but the kind I get is a powder and comes in a bag. And it certainly doesn't take an hour to thicken. I just sprinkle the powder into part of the sauce or gravy in my Magic Bullet (any blender will work, but the Magic Bullet is easier to use, and it's handy on my countertop) and whirl it until it's completely dissolved -- a matter of a few seconds. The thickening is just about instantaneous. Then I mix the thickened gravy into the rest of the liquid, and it's ready to eat.

How much to use depends on how much thickening you want, and it's a learning process. But if you start with a very small amount, you can add more until it's as thick as you want it. By the time I'd used it a few times I'd gotten to where I just seemed to know how much to put in, and I seldom have to adjust the amount.

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Nadine

Thank you! It is powdered but is in a plastic bottle like supplements come in. No directions on it so I figured I'd better come here for some. Thanks again.

katlupe

I bought some powdered xantham gum and use a little in my egg creams. I haven't used it anything hot yet, though. In my egg creams, I use a small amount - maybe 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. - just to help thicken them up a bit if I don't want to use alot of ice.

As suggested, start out with a small amount and work up.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Ok, thanks for the info.

katlupe

I'd never tried using it that way. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to try it.

Another way to use it is to add a little xanthan gum to heavy cream when whipping it. Adding about 1/4 teaspoonful to a cup will allow the cream to be whipped several hours in advance of using and retain its stability under refrigeration.

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Nadine

Yum, that sounds like a good idea, too.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Sounds like a good thing to try! I'd love to keep some whipped cream already made in the fridge. Thanks for all the good ideas. Now I have to go see how to make the egg creams. I was used to the ones you get in NYC, which is really an ice cream soda without the ice cream, kinda.

katlupe

MOrning yall. I have not tried the x gum .. Does it have any taste to it? Katlup and Lavender let's get something going. Are there any challenges going here yet. Like lets commit to so and so for one week and see what happens.. Or try something in the way of a mini excersize program. like where you do several different kinds of excersizes going from a slow walk to a fast walk.. walking in place to doing ten jumping jacks, walk for 1 minute jump rope for 1 minute.. you get the picture? If we say we will do that three times , like monday , wed, and friday for one week and see what happens.. then we can see how much of a difference it makes and it may make me want to keep on doing it.. But i think i can committe to one week. take it one week at a time.. What do yall think.... Let me know, anyone else reading this , can join in.. sharthejoysheila

I haven't really noticed a taste with the x gum other than if you put a little too much in it gets a little .. well, gummy.

I try to exercise M-T-T and if I can make my butt do it or don't have other plans, Saturday mornings. I either do my elliptical or an exercise or dance video. So, did you have just exercise in general or the interval thing?

There is a thread Nita (QueenMama) has going in the Challenges that's basically a "do it yourself" challenge thread, or we could start one over there.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Sorry I didn't get back here sooner, been so busy with work. I'm afraid the extent of my exercise program for now is using light weight dumbbells for my weight strenghtening program and have now started very slow walking. My knees are in very bad shape and even when I walk down the road I have to carry this little shovel for support. But I am doing it and I am going farther every day. I plan on getting back to the challenge threads but right now I am just swamped with my work.

katlupe

Is Sheila still here? I guess I should look in the exercise forum to see first. Good job on the exercise. Sounds like you're getting stronger all the time!

Re: xantham gum. I put a little too much in my shake this morning and it's not really gummy as "thick". I was thinking about this thread when I was drinking it and wanted to make that correction.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

I tend to favor NotStarch by Thick'nThin (made by Expert Foods). It's a blend of vegetable gums and seems to thicken quite nicely with just a whisk - not needing a blender. Just another thought.

For thickening a shake, the same co makes NotSugar. This is what I use in a shake.

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