Need a substitute for Irish Moss

[Mindy Sue]

I have the book "I Am Grateful" and a lot of the recipes use Irish Moss. Has anyone ever used something different with excellent results?

[RawKnitster]

Irish moss (carrageenan) and liquid lecithin may be essential in those recipes. There are other recipes that will work with coconut oil and/or cacao butter, but those still melt if it is warm enough.

I'm curious... Why not use Irish moss? It is amazing stuff!

[Mindy Sue]

I cannot find it locally, and online it's spendy. Where do you get yours? If I did decide to buy it, do you think it could be frozen and still be ok when thawed? (I'm thinking not....)

[snoops]

I don't even think it needs to be refrigerated - at least until you soak it.

[RawKnitster]

I bought mine from Raw Vegan Source (http://www.rawvegansource.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi). I guess since Alissa stopped selling food products it is okay to mention them here. The store is about 15 miles from my house. I shop there at least once a month. Tom and Susan, the couple that run the store are wonderful people. They do the research and only sell the best raw products. There is a $10 one time fee to join.

One pound of Irish moss cost $15, but it is dried and will last indefinitely. A pound is enough to make a lot of pies. I also use it to make tofu with coconut meat and cashews.

It is a little tricky to work. Here is a link to my post (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/blog.php?b=15772)about a Cafe Gratitude pie I made. Down in the comments are some pics and tips on what I learned about how to handle Irish moss. My biggest problem with it is I still soak more than I need to use.

[Mindy Sue]

Thank you so much for your help. I checked out their website - the Irish Moss doesn't look dried, but I am guessing the picture was taken after soaking. I think I will suck it up and buy some, after seeing your wonderful pie that you made! :D

[MrsJohnnyG]

Why not grow your own? I haven't tried growing it indoors yet (I will be growing some outdoors this spring) but I imagine it would be similar to growing wheatgrass (i.e. some sun and heat and protection from winter freezes). A packet of seeds is only a dollar or two.

[RawKnitster]

Grow your own? I believe it is a seaweed. :)

[RawKnitster]

Mindy Sue, There is a lot of attention to detail, but it is worth it. I've made that pie 3 times, it get easier every time. I would suggest making a "test" pie for the first run. The pie freezes very well. No need to wait for it to defrost either. Tastes great frozen. Good Luck! :)

[MrsJohnnyG]

Grow your own? I believe it is a seaweed. :)
Oops -- different Irish moss I guess! :o

[RawKnitster]

LOL!!! I used to think it was that kind of Irish Moss, too. Once you see it and smell it, you know it is seaweed. You have to rinse and soak it to get the sand out. :p

[snoops]

RawKnitster - what color is the irish moss you use. The stuff I bought (and have been hesitant to use because it sounds difficult) is maroon/red. It seems in the photos that it should be brownish. This stuff is from the east coast of Canada. Have you ever heard of that color and I wonder how it will make the final product look.

[Mindy Sue]

I just placed an order.... boy shipping was high.

[RawKnitster]

RawKnitster - what color is the irish moss you use. The stuff I bought (and have been hesitant to use because it sounds difficult) is maroon/red. It seems in the photos that it should be brownish. This stuff is from the east coast of Canada. Have you ever heard of that color and I wonder how it will make the final product look.

Some of the pieces have a pink/brown tint. I haven't seen any really red. Don't know what that means. Could it be the area it is from, or the drying technique...?

[RawKnitster]

I just placed an order.... boy shipping was high.

It takes about $6.00 in gas for me to drive there. The last time I had anything shipped (from another company in California) it was over $7.50 for a small box. :eek: Was it more than that?

[Mindy Sue]

Shipping was $10 which I think is quite high :(

[mojo]

I have used agar agar or arrowroot as gels or thickeners, would this work? I am out of Irish Moss :)

[Shelly11]

Amazon has it for 23.95 for 16 oz with free shipping....