what is this white powder listed as alkaline in recipe?

[hala]

I have a recipe that calls for "alkaline". It is described as a white powder and in the recipe you put a cup of stock (water from cooking chickpeas) in a mixer, add this powder turn on the mixer and gradually add olive oil to make "a white sauce".

What white powder would transform stock and oil to a white sauce? could it be sodium bicarbonate?

Is it safe for human consumption in that form (uncooked) ?

thanks!

[monku]

Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda which is alkaline. You can brush your teeth with baking soda so it's safe uncooked.

[Soop]

I always get confused with baking soda and bicarbonate of soda... and I think they might have more names than that.

But I'm sure it's one of them, probably your suggestion :)

What are the names?

*edit* don't worry! Found it:

http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/food/cookin...

[hala]

but will it turn oil into a milky white sauce, and why?