Whether you're allergic to corn, or just trying to avoid the stuff, it's a real challenge. I frequently say I would gladly keep my dairy and gluten allergies, if only I could tolerate corn. It's EVERYWHERE! Even on many brands of toilet paper. Seriously folks, cornstarch on your toilet paper to prevent the rolls from sticking together.
Another place many people don't think of finding corn is in their baking powder. It is typically made up of baking soda, cream of tartar, and cornstarch. The baking soda is the leavening agent. Cream of tartar is the acid that induces the reaction to set of the leavener. And the starch is a drying agent.
To create a baking powder I can use, all I have to do is replace the starch. I personally prefer tapioca starch, but arrowroot works great as well.
*A note about cream of tartar* Not all cream of tartar is created equally! If you look at the label of your bulk brand cream of tartar, what will you find?.............CORNSTARCH! To quote a sassy little t.v. personality you might know "How Rude!" So fight for cream of tartar equality!!!!!! (not really though. I'm more a make love not war kind of gal ;) ) But on a serious note, don't you think it should be called cream of tartar replacement of something else MUCH less deceiving?
Ready for the easiest, but most useful recipe ever?
Corn Free, Paleo Baking Powder
You'll need:
- a jar to mix and store the baking powder in
- a fork
- Cream of Tartar (the real stuff)
- Baking Soda
- Tapioca Starch (or Arrowroot)
- a measuring spoon (I use a tablespoon)
The recipe is in parts as follows;
2 parts Cream of Tartar
1 part Baking Soda
1 part Tapioca Starch (or Arrowroot)
Put all the ingredients in the jar and stir with a fork to break up lumps. Put a lid on it and store it in a cool dry place. To always have fresh baking powder make this in small batches.
If you use a tablespoon it would look like this
2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
1 Tbsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Tapioca Starch (or Arrowroot)
If you used 1/4 cup it would look like this;
1/2 Cup Cream of Tartar
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Tapioca Starch (or Arrowroot)
Now go bake your little heart out! I'll be sharing a recipe for pancakes you'll be able to use your new baking powder in very soon.
I'm all for homemade but even something as innocent as baking soda can contribute to the horrors of animal testing; Arm & Hammer is one of those companies. Bob's Red Mill is not :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that information. I've been dealing so much with the intensity of changing my whole life style, that I never thought to look into that sort of stuff. I'll keep my eyes open for some Bob's Red Mill next time I go on a grocery trip.
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