Vegan JELL-O!

Vegans are well aware the gelatin is never an option. Though many of us grew up with this fun cool and often colorful treat as a dessert or snack. Well now here is a food that can easily take the place of that youthful treat and avoid those messy mashed up bones and animal hooves it takes to make traditional gelatin.

Agar. This food is popular in many Asian foods as a thickening agent for sauces and confectionery foods. Agar is a seaweed extract, in its raw form it is a white flakey thread substance also available sold as a powder. Though it does take the place of gelatin it has a different texture in that when it sets into form Agar has more solid density. Note this food is also known by the Japanese name Kanten.

Agar can be beneficial to people who are trying to loose weight and control their food portion sizes as it can create a feeling of fullness. Agar swells in the stomach after eaten, helping suppress an excessive appetite. Agar is easy to add most foods as on its own it is tasteless, odorless and contains no calories, carbohydrates or fat. Agar is 80% fiber and when eaten it absorbs glucose from the stomach. With such a high fiber content Agar stimulates digestion and has a mild laxative effect helping to clear the digestive tract.

To prepare the Agar a good basic ratio is 1 teaspoon powdered Agar to mixed with 1 cup of water, or 1/3 cup of Agar flake threads, which equates to 1 teaspoon of the powder, mixed with 1 cup of water. This is a flexible ratio as the amount of liquid effects how dense the finished product is. Remember more water leads to a softer finished product  but if it is too soft then it will not be able to maintain its shape. When working with Agar powder, mix it into cold water until completely dissolved then heat in a pot on a full simmer boil until the water appears totally clear. With whole Agar thread flakes add them to the cool water and allow them to fully soak for 10-15 minutes, once the Agar is totally hydrated add that liquid mix to a pot and boil on full simmer until water appears totally clear. It should take 5 minutes to heat and turn totally clear. It is important to make certain that there are no solid Agar pieces remaining in the water and that they have totally dissolved. Test for this by taking spoonfuls out of the liquid and pouring them back into the pot. If any solid pieces are observed allow to heat for another minute. Once the liquid is fully dissolved and clear the Agar solution is ready to be used in recipes. Also very important, dissolve Agar in water first and then use in recipes as it is easier to monitor the total dissolve of the Agar in water.

Here is a great primer recipe to get started with this wonderful vegan food.

Fruit Juice Vegan Geletin

Ingredients / Tools
2 cups worth of Agar Solution
3 cups Preferred Juice
Glass Food Storage Dish or Ice Cube tray as a shape mold

• Add juice to fresh warm Agar solution, stir until fully mixed.
• Allow mix to sit for 5 minutes.
• Pour into the chosen mold 
• Place into refrigerator to set for 3 hours
• Once solid remove from mold and enjoy

Ready to try this stuff for yourself get some Agar in the link below.

http://bit.ly/vgngel-o