Xanthan Gum: we hate's it precious. I've got the brown rice flower, the tapioca flower, eggs and what not for what will be, perhaps, the greatest pizza dough ever, but I lack this simple ingredient: Xanthan Gum. What is it, the only gluten-free stickiness in nature? Really? In 50+ online recipes, only one calls for no xanthan gum or gluten. This medium sized crust, though, uses no less than 6 eggs. Six!
Fortunately, I'm back on the beer - beginning to work it back into the mix after this month long pseudo-elimination diet. Thus far the results are not promising: 2 hours later, my belly is still aching from the glutany goodness (or giant bread-free pub burger and fries; whichever). Oh well; we had a good run, Beer. And I have been enjoying the bourbon lately. But where was I? Oh yes, back to the search...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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I seem to remember Michael Pollan listing it as one of the many things made from processed corn, so my guess: xanthan gum is actually solid state high fructose corn syrup. But actual research could, perhaps, be more helpful.
ReplyDeleteP.S. What health benefit(s) did you hope to garner by going gluten-free?
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I can eat corn.
ReplyDeleteI went gluten free as an experiment in free will as much as anything (I made a lot of 30 day new year's resolutions. Twelve, actually.), but as it turns out even a broken colon is right twice a day - three if I've had coffee.
The belly was never super symptomatic for me, but I'd heard gut pain can manifest as back pain, and I know a lot of other glutards whose joints hurt after eating wheat. I was curious if this was part of my problem, so I took the plunge. Yesterday I had a beer. Within an hour my insides were aching. I woke up this morning with joint stiffness and back pain. After two beers, a burger and breaded onion rings for lunch, I think I'm back off the gluten train: for good this time. It's just not worth it.
I am interested in seeing how long it takes me to recover. A day of pain for a few good hours with a few good beers? Isn't that what Friday night and Saturday morning are all about anyway?
I'll think about it.