The Elusive Agar

Some vegan substitution are easy: soy or any non-dairy milk (rice, almond, oat, even hemp milk) and Earth Balance or vegetable oil for butter. Others are more obscure. For example, many people are unaware of the fact that gelatin is made using animal byproducts and is a common ingredient in Jello, yogurt, and even some breakfast cereals. Fewer people know what to substitute for gelatin. However, agar (also known as "agar agar"), a sea vegetable used more extensively in Asia, can be purchased in flake or powder form. After the agar is boiled, it can be used as a thickening agent. Thus far, I have only found the elusive Agar at Whole Foods, and it was a bit pricey, but it yielded the most congealed pie I have ever baked. The coconut cream pie (from the cookbook Veganomicon) did not spill a gooey mess all over the pie pan. Oh, no. Each slice (enhanced by coconut extract) was its own separate unit. Thus, I have been converted to the ways of the agar flake. Next week: Lemon Bars.