Agar-agar, also known as kanten, is a flavorless gelling agent that is derived from seaweed. I know the name sounds strange, but try to be open-minded and give it a try, because it's a wonderful way to replace gelatin in many recipes.
Agar can be purchased in flake, powder, or bar form from many health-food stores and Asian markets and from some grocery stores, such as Whole Foods. And if those options don't work for you, just buy it online. To use agar, dissolve it in liquid and then let it set for about an hour—the firming process doesn't even require refrigeration. Also, you can use almost any liquid you'd like, so get creative with it. Just remember that for a firmer gel, add more agar-agar, and for a softer gel, add more liquid. I think you get the idea.
Here's a quick ratio rundown:
•Substitute powdered agar-agar for gelatin using equal amounts.
•1 Tbsp. of agar-agar flakes is equal to 1 tsp. of agar-agar powder.
•Set 2 cups of liquid using 2 tsp. of agar-agar powder, 2 Tbsp. of agar-agar flakes, or one bar.
Looking for ways to use agar? Here's a Web roundup of a few interesting, and one downright weird, recipes:
•Dude, Where's the Stove? shares a recipe for Mom's Kohi Kanten (coffee pudding).
•Tofu for Two uses it to make the filling of a Creamy Lime Pie.
•Why a Vegan? takes the award for weirdest use of agar-agar, in Vegan Jager Bomb Cupcakes.
•Hochiak! uses agar-agar to make a beautiful Dragon Fruit Jelly.
Try one of these recipes, or let me know if you have a better one!
Comments ( 5 )
Isn't agar the stuff we used to grow bacteria on in high school?
Posted by Mark | May 28, 2008 7:19 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 19:19
You have to make those jager bomb cupcakes!
Posted by Erin | May 29, 2008 10:18 PM
Posted on May 29, 2008 22:18
I wonder if agar agar would work for veggie jello shots?
Posted by Heather Lynn | June 16, 2008 8:59 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 20:59
Heather,
You have to let me know if you try it! My guess is that it would definitely work.
amy
Posted by Amy | June 17, 2008 10:07 AM
Posted on June 17, 2008 10:07
The agar used for growing bacterial cultures is nutrient agar. It contains the seaweed extract, as well as beef powder as a source of food and protein for the culture.
Posted by pradlee | July 12, 2008 8:57 PM
Posted on July 12, 2008 20:57