Magic Batter Guide

Recently I published a post detailing how to make magic batter: that stuff with very few calories that can be made into almost anything. In this post, I'll be covering how to make some of that stuff.

Hot Cereal

This is probably the easiest. Just take your batter, thin it with however much water you want, mix well, and microwave until hot. That's it!

Waffles

These are actually pretty simple, too. Spray a waffle iron with nonstick spray, mix in some baking powder to the amount of batter you're gonna use, then load the iron with the batter(once preheated), and leave it to cook. The only bad thing is that it takes around 20 minutes to finish cooking the waffles, maybe more or less depending on your iron.

Crepes

To make these, you'll need a microwave-safe or disposable plate. Spray it with non-stick, then spread your batter on the plate. I haven't noticed any difference made by using baking powder, honestly. Spread the batter into a thin layer that more or less covers the bottom of the plate. Now cook it in the microwave. It'll take some experimenting to figure out what method of cooking it works best for you, but here's what I usually do:

Microwave at a medium power for 3-minute intervals, letting it sit in between, until it starts to firm up. Then give it ~90 seconds at full power and flip after letting it sit. Repeat on the other side.

Brownie-Cakes

These can be a bit tricky, I'll admit. So you start by adding baking powder, putting the batter into a small bowl, cup, or ramekin, then microwaving it. When I microwave it, I start with a medium-high power and cook it until I see the baking powder activating, then just a little longer. I then let it sit for a little while, then return it to the microwave for a longer time at a lower power. After letting it cool from that, I carefully flip it with a fork and repeat that last interval as needed, letting it sit in between.

Kesari

Interesting, no? I think I found a decent means by which to make this South-Indian sweet without too much messing around. Basically, get your scoop of batter into a microwave-safe bowl, then mix in some extra glucomannan. I think it'll take up to about 1/4 teaspoon for a small bowl serving. Mix it well, let it sit for five minutes, mix again, and let sit again. Once done with this, microwave around 30-40% power for 3-5 minutes at least twice, stirring and letting cool slightly in between. Basically just repeat the microwaving process until you're comfortable with the moisture content. If it seems that the kesari isn't structured enough(it's too much like applesauce), add a little bit more glucomannan.

How to Make Vegan Low Calorie "Magic Batter"

So I recently came across a new and wonderful ingredient to use in cooking and baking. Glucomannan. Also known as konjac flour/powder, it's a soluble fiber that is a great thickener. If you've ever seen those zero-calorie shirataki noodles, this is what they're made out of. Apparently the glucomannan also can be used almost anywhere xanthan gum would normally be used. But why am I telling you all of this? Well, I recently developed a new recipe for something I'm gonna have to call "magic batter".

What's so magical about it (aside from being incredibly low calorie)? Well, I've found that you can make next to anything out of this stuff! It can be a creamy, grainy pudding, a cream of wheat-like hot cereal, be made into waffles, pancakes, crepes, brownie-cakes, and you can even make an ice cream out of it! And that's just the stuff I've already done in the few days I've had this recipe for(and have used up three batches already). I'm sure there's even more you could do with it, but of course, all of it would need the batter.

The batter is made of cabbage, fruit puree, glucomannan, and flavorings. So far I've made cocoa, pumpkin pie, and gingerbread flavored batches, all of which came out beautifully. I've been having waffles for breakfast several days in a row and I'm quite happy with that. I also expect to be having stuff like this over Passover, as it's a nice option for the holiday. In the coming weeks I'll be posting details as to the specific ways to prepare the batter, but for now, I can tell you how to make it.

Magic Batter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/4 medium-large head cabbage
• Fruit puree(as needed)
• Desired flavors and sweeteners
• Glucomannan powder(about 1 tsp per cup batter)

Instructions:

1. Rice the cabbage in a food processor and transfer to a blender.
2. Add fruit puree slowly and blend until the mix starts to blend smoothly. Usually, a layer of smooth batter will form on the bottom, displacing the rougher mix above it into the blades, causing this layer to rise. You don't want too much fruit puree. If you're using a glutinous puree like banana you should add a little liquid to allow it to blend smoothly. Water works fine, so would milk, if you rather(use almond milk or other substitute to keep it vegan).
3. Add whatever flavorings you like. Using Truvia for a sweetener, I add about 2 packets per cup batter, but flavor it as you like. Feel free to taste-test it while you're making it, as there are no eggs in it.
4. Add in 1 teaspoon of glucomannan per cup batter mix, mix the powder in, and blend. It will take a few minutes for everything to fully integrate and react. It should have a slightly slimy taste, as though there were raw eggs in it. If there isn't, add a little bit more glucomannan.

And for now, I'll leave you with just one of the many ways to enjoy this magic batter. Thoroughly mix some of it with equal parts liquid(water, milk, etc.) and enjoy as a ricey sort of pudding.