If you’ve ever tried your hand at gluten-free baking, you’ll know that you need a bit of something extra to achieve the light and fluffy texture that gluten would ordinarily give you. The most common additive is probably xanthan gum, and to a lesser extent, guar gum. I hadn’t realised until recently that these gums contain genetically modified organisms and can also cause digestive upsets in gluten intolerant people. Now that’s – ahem – food for thought. …
A few weeks ago, blogger Gluten Free Girl published a post about a fantastic seed mix to replace the gums, so off I went to have a look for myself. I landed on the blog Gluten Free Doctor and read about its author Dr Jean Layton. She’s come up with a seed mix to replace the gums called Pixie Dust. Having tried it out for myself, I can say that it produces fantastic results and the best bit is that the chia seed, flax-seed and psyllium husk mix is jam-packed with Omega-3, dietary fibre and lots of other goodies.
Pixie Dust takes no time at all to make and can be stored in the freezer. Give it a whirl. You won’t be sorry. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
20 grams golden flax seeds
10 grams chia seeds (either colour)
5 grams psyllium seed husk
Method
Combine ingredients and grind in a coffee or spice grinder until floury. Store in the freezer until needed. Use 10 grams of Pixie Dust in the place of every half teaspoon of xanthan gum.
So this is your hot-day activity! D
Thank you for this post! So interesting to learn that these gums often used in gluten-free baking can cause digestive upsets in some people. I did not know that they contain GMOs. Crazy! You’re right, this is food for thought. Checking out this pixie dust now! 🙂
Thanks for your comment! Dr Jean Layton is so knowledgable about the science of gf baking – the Pixie Dust really is worth a try.
Hi!
Would you please post the amounts of each ingredient for the pixie dust? I cannot get onto Dr Layton’s site for some reason. If you already have it posted, just lead me to it, if you would.
Thanks!
Annmarie
Hi Annmarie, I’ve updated the link, so it should work. Otherwise, try this: http://glutenfreedoctor.com/pixie-dust-xanthan-gum-replacer/
Please let me know if you’re still having trouble.
That website appears to not be working now. Could you post the recipe here? Thank you!
Here it is.
Ingredients
20 grams golden flax seeds
10 grams chia seeds (either colour)
5 grams psyllium seed husk
Method
Combine ingredients and grind in a coffee or spice grinder until floury. Store in the freezer until needed. Use 10 grams of Pixie Dust in the place of every half teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Hi there, cannot open this link.
Hi Lauren, thanks for letting me know. It seems the link has been removed. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
20 grams golden flax seeds
10 grams chia seeds (either colour)
5 grams psyllium seed husk
Method
Combine ingredients and grind in a coffee or spice grinder until floury. Store in the freezer until needed. Use 10 grams of Pixie Dust in the place of every half teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Thanks so much. They are pretty good!