On Xanthan gum

This is a joke that got sent to me the other day..

You know you are a teacher if….
You believe the staff room should be equipped with a Valium salt lick.You believe chocolate is a food group.You have no life between school holidays.
..and it made me realise how much fun I am having in my fellowship year ! (I am experiencing none of the above. Gratitude to the Royal Society of New Zealand!)

Back to the pantry and this time it is Xanthan gum. I know it sounds like something you could choke on, but what a great ingredient. When you use the tiniest amount of Xanthan gum you can make a roux without having to sweat stirring away and not taking on other tasks while cooking it in case of any burning or clotting.

I tried a custard dessert experiment using Xanthan gum. This is the formula for UHT custard. Next day I tried making a traditional South African dessert using Xanthan gum. I have managed to fill the corridors with a waft of home bake. One of the students commented “Are you making custard pie?” and I said “no I am making Melktert!”