Substituting for flour as a thickener

[Andrea]

Umpa,
I have several old recipes that would be great for FTS except for the use of flour as a thickener.  I have xanthum gum in my pantry but wonder if there is a calculation for the amount to substitute.  If there is something better to use, I'd love to hear about that, too.

[umpa]

I use xantham gum to keep my ice cream from icing up.I haven't used it as a thickener so I can't give you a opinion.Suz has and has had good luck.I like gluccoman powder.Its about $20 a bag but you use very little.I have  had the same bag for over a year!Its what I use for my chinese food coating.(General TSOS and Bang Bang on the forum) You use it in 1/8 teaspoon increments and give it time to thicken.I just used it for strawberry jam.And love it for sauces and gravy. You can always post your recipes if you need help converting.You are doing great Andrea!

[SarahC]

I'm going to try the oat fiber to see if it thickens like flour. I'll try to do it today (busy day) - but whenever I try it, I will let you know how it works. There's a bag of it on the counter, just waiting to be used!

[Andrea]

Thanks.  I'll post the recipe.  It's a casserole with a lot of fish which is fairly expensive in our land-locked state so I'm not wanting to risk it.

[Andrea]

I posted the recipe.  Thanks for the cheering section.  I've gone back to basics in my meal plans and only use sweetner in my coffee.  I have no sweet tooth anymore.  I know the last pounds can be the hardest so I've hunkered down.

A Brancrisp a day though, whether I want it or not.

[mouseissue]

Hi Andrea!

I use Guar Gum and it works great!

Like most other "thickeners", be sure to mix it in a little hot water before adding to your recipes.
That helps prevent lumps.

[suzlyn454]

Andrea, TooSweet put me onto the xanthum gum as a thickener for gravies.  Less carbs than store bought ones or using real flour.  It just takes a little more patience than a flour gravy but also a lot less xanthum gum.  For my 2 cups of beef broth I probably used a little over 1/4 tsp of xanthum gum.  The trick was to sprinkle it in the boiling broth very lightly stirring until it starts to thicken, the thicker you want the more xanthum gum you use.  If you mix the xanthum gum too fast then it clumps.  Then I added the 2 Tbl heavy whipping cream.  Hope this helps.
Suz

[shawn116]

Yes a little goes a long way with the xanthan gum.  If you aren't careful and add to much you end up with one of those bouncy balls the kids play with...LOL    I added it to brownies once and ended up with chocolate rubber     HA!

[mouseissue]

...  If you aren't careful and add to much you end up with one of those bouncy balls the kids play with...LOL   ...

Yep!... Been there and done that!
Used them to play fetch with our dog.

[shawn116]

    good idea Tony...LOL

[umpa]

 

[Kim P]

I like to use Xantham Gum ~ I just made country fried steak and just sprinkled about 1/2 teaspoon into the drippings w/ s&p and heavy cream ~ It works GREAT!!

[umpa]

HiYa Kim! How ya doing?

[Kim P]

Hi Umpa ~ I am doing great!!  I have lost 8 pounds and it's a beautiful day here in Virginia!  How are you doing?

[umpa]

i am doing great! Busy as all get out but busy is good! Congrats on the 8 pounds!