To make Irish Moss Paste:

1. Soak 1/2 cup of dry moss in lukewarm water for a few minutes, then rinse to clean from salt and sand. Work with your hands through the moss and clean from dirt, pebbles, blue rope pieces (leftover from harvest) and soak again in fresh water, make sure you have plenty of water to cover and choose a bigger bowl, because the moss will expand.

If you are short on time, use warm or lukewarm water to soften the moss faster.If you have time, you can also put it into the refrigerator over night and continue next day.

2. At the next rinse check again on dirt or any brown parts, rinse very well. Soak again.

3. When the moss has become white, soft yellow color, multiplied its volume and got soft, it is ready to process it to paste. Blend 1 1/2 cups well hydrated (soaked) moss with 3/4 cup water in a high speed blender.

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4. 1 cup dry moss will yield 3 cups soaked moss. You might have plenty. Store the Irish Moss paste in a clean glass container (Mason jar, etc) in the refrigerator.

Irish moss paste will last in the refrigerator for a at least 14 days, most of the time 3 weeks. If you have to much moss prepared you may also use the ice cube tray and fill it with Irish Moss Paste and freeze, you have perfect portions you can work with.

Watch Raw Food Chef Diana Stobo prepare Irish Moss here.

After you have prepared Irish Moss Paste, it is ready to go into your food creation:

1. Irish Moss Paste gives a creamy, light texture to raw food desserts:
You may imitate fluffy cheese cake fillings or without use of eggs, heavy cream, or yogurt. Raw Food cakes lighten up, because you cut back on cashew cream, coconut oil or any other oily rich ingredient.
For the recipe: In your high speed blender add all ingredients and add the Irish Moss Paste at the very end. If your dish calls for cacao butter, which has to be warmed up, add the Irish Moss before the Cacao Butter.

2. Irish Moss Paste can be used to firm up raw desserts:
Firming up a raw dessert can be achieved by adding coconut oil, cacao butter or nut-cream and stored in the refrigerator or freezer; however, if you want to stay on the calorie-low side, add Irish Moss Paste. The gelatin property in the Moss firms up faster and keeps the cream in shape, even when you remove it from the fridge.
For the recipe: It will take about an hour to firm up your dish, better you keep it for a few hours in the fridge (mocked whipped cream made from cashews: 4 hours in the fridge)

3. Irish Moss Paste replaces some of the fat in dressings and sauces:
Irish Moss Paste’s emollient qualities keep the salad dressings light and creamy, cream cheese clean and light, Ice cream, and the paste can also be added to veggienaise, mayonnaise, salsas, and even hummus. Therefore Irish Moss is a wonderful low calorie weight maintenance tool.
For the recipe: replace the equal amount of oil, coconut butter, or dairy with Irish Moss Paste.

4. Makes smoothies extra thick and creamy
Who does not like a yummy creamy smoothie or nut milk?
For the recipe: Add 1/2 to 1 TBSP of Irish Moss Paste per 1 cup of liquid to your nut milk or smoothie. If you prepare a chocolate based smoothie you might need to adjust the sweetener.

5. Irish Moss Paste is a simple beautifying gel:

• Add to your shampoo to make it extra smooth and creamy
• Add to your shower gel to add an extra lathering and skin friendly property
• Facial Mask: relax with a layer of 2-3 TBSP of pure Irish Moss Paste on the cleaned face, the minerals and moisture will rejuvenate the skin and give it the healthy glow. 20 minutes is good time to find peace.
• Hair replenish: into the damp hair massage 3-4 TBSP of pure Irish Moss Paste and wrap with a towel. Rinse after 10 min or keep longer, the hair will re-mineralize and the moss helps to detoxify the scalp.
• Apply on skin rash, dry or damaged skin, aching feet, dry skin: always apply on clean skin if possible and rinse with cool or lukewarm water.