Starch is different: potato, wheat, corn, rye, rice and so on. In any case, it turns into a sticky substance when it interacts with hot water. Due to this property, it is widely used in cooking to give thickness and viscosity to liquid sauces, and juiciness and density to fillings for pies.
Starch can be substituted in dishes for various reasons. Some do this because of its calorie content, others - because of intolerance, and still others - for the sake of a taste experiment.
Potato starch is a relative of sugar. It consists of glucose molecules linked in long chains and has a fairly high glycemic index.
Sauces, gravies and cream soups
Starch is added to thickening sauces, gravies and cream soups. An alternative to starch in them can be corn, buckwheat, oatmeal, rye or pumpkin flour. Some housewives add ground flaxseed, cream or sour cream to these dishes instead of starch.
Filling
Starch is often used in the preparation of liquid fillings. It is necessary in order to give them a little density and density. It can be safely replaced with wheat, tempura or oat flour, as well as coconut flakes. The latter must first be ground.
Tempura flour is a special blend of rice flour, wheat flour, potato starch and salt. In Japanese cuisine, it is used to make hot rolls.
Bakery products
It is no coincidence that starch is introduced into various types of dough. So, in a biscuit, it perfectly removes excess moisture. As a result, baked goods are more fluffy and lighter. When starch is added, the elasticity of the dough increases significantly.
Instead of starch, you can add various types of flour, ground coconut shavings, semolina or a chicken egg to the dough for cakes or pies. Breadcrumbs can also be a good option.
Instead of starch, you can put more flour and baking powder in shortbread dough. Naturally, this will not be able to fully replace starch, but it will save the situation. Meanwhile, pancake and puff pastry can do without starch at all.
Cutlets
If starch is present in the cutlet recipe, you can add raw grated potatoes instead. It will perfectly cope with the role of starch, since its composition simply abounds in it.
Kissel
Starch is an important ingredient in jelly. The degree of density of the drink depends on it. Instead of starch, you can put oatmeal in jelly. Pectin is also excellent for its role.
How to make starch at home
In the event that you did not have real starch at hand, and you do not trust its substitutes, try to cook this product at home. This requires only one ingredient - raw potatoes.
The vegetable should be peeled, grated on a fine grater. The resulting potato mass must be moved into cheesecloth and squeezed very hard or just held in water for a while. After that, the water should settle a little. The resulting light-colored precipitate is starch. It can be dried, but it takes time. In preparation, you can safely use a wet starch sediment.
