Can you suggest any Carb Free thickeners that don't affect the flavour of soups/casseroles?
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4 Answers
Xanthan gum and methylcellulose both are used in such small amounts that any carbohydrates in them would be of miniscule quantity.
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Xanthan gum at least tends to be pretty expensive. I can't speak to methylcellulose. Commented Oct 2, 2010 at 11:27
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1A dollar an ounce in 4 oz quantity at Amazon. I just bought a small jar but have not tried it out in a recipe yet. Commented Aug 22, 2011 at 0:24
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1search engine says to use "a pinch" in sauces and gravy or it will get too thick. Commented Aug 22, 2011 at 0:26
For casseroles I would recommend making sauces that are thickened with eggs -- savory custards if you will. Soups can easily be thickened with pureed cooked vegetables. Yes, this will add some carbs depending on the veggies used, but the amount of fiber in relation to the carbs negates some of the effect. Stay away from very starchy or sweet veggies, like potatoes and onions, and limit the use of carrots/beets. For some soups pureed cooked legumes (ex. dried peas, lentils, or beans/soybeans) would work well.
Some carbohydate-based thickeners work better than others. Cornstarch is more effective than flour, for example, and you might have even better luck with tapioca starch or potato starch.
Otherwise, I like the egg idea, although that'll add a bit of flavor, and it's hard to do without getting an egg-drop effect. Or, letsee... okra will thicken your soup!
A couple alternatives come to mind:
Gelatin
You can find Knox in just about any grocery in the US or Canada. Mix one packet with a cup of the liquid from your soup or casserole (or mix it with a cup of water) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until hydrated. Stir it well back into the dish. It'll thicken a quart or two of liquid.
Agar
Gelatin is not vegetarian. If that's a concern, consider using agar. I find it in the local East Asian shops here in Seattle. Mixed like gelatin, a tablespoon or two will do a job on a quart or so of liquid. It's not strictly carb-free but the carb content is minimal (maybe 0.25 gram per tbsp vs. 7 grams in corn starch).
