Questions about possible substitutions for an ingredient. Please indicate the reason for substitution.
10
votes
6answers
31k views
What is a substitute for red or white wine in a recipe?
If someone cannot or will not use wine for cooking, what would be a good substitute?
Question applies to both red and white wine.
5
votes
6answers
2k views
Are there any vegetarian-friendly egg substitutes that can be used in cakes?
I spent about 2 1/2 years as a lacto-ovo vegetarian but, I gave up eggs in October. The problem is that I really like cake. Unfortunately, the cake recipes that I've found that don't use eggs produce ...
8
votes
8answers
1k views
With what can I replace eggs?
My girlfriend is vegan.
How can I replace eggs in a recipe?
Maybe with banana or soy? How much?
The egg is the key ingredient to keep everything from falling apart.
7
votes
9answers
11k views
Brownies without egg
My son has a severe egg allergy. We've tried a couple of egg-less brownie recipes but they always end up terrible. I've tried making a batch with an egg replacement and one without. In both cases, the ...
38
votes
3answers
17k views
Why can applesauce be used in place of oil?
In many recipes, mostly desserts, it is suggested that you can substitute oil with applesauce to reduce the fat content. But why applesauce?
Is there something special about applesauce or are there ...
35
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder?
And can I use one in place of the other in certain recipes?
17
votes
4answers
12k views
When is a cooking oil not appropriate to substitute for another?
Frequently recipes call for a particular kind of oil for making use of certain characteristics (taste, heat tolerance, health, etc.). It's well known you can substitute cooking oils in most cases ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
What is a good vegetarian source of umami flavour?
I'm looking for a source of the umami flavour to add to various dishes. However, since I became vegetarian I can't think of a good source for the flavour.
I used to use Worcestershire sauce, or Nam ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
What are some good substitions for alcohol in cooking?
One of my favorite recipes these days is making a good bananas foster dessert. Everyone I know enjoys it, to some extent, so it's a go-to dessert, for me.
One of my concerns, however, is that since ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I make a “baking powder” substitute in a pinch
Every once in while we run out of "Baking powder".
What would be a good receipt for a substitute that you have used that works well.
Thanks!!
9
votes
5answers
6k views
What is the functional difference between imitation vanilla and true vanilla extract?
When baking or using vanilla, most recipes call for vanilla extract. In the supermarket you can find imitation vanilla flavoring for less money. Obviously the imitation is meant to be as close to the ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the difference between Greek yogurt and plain yogurt?
One of the ingredients of a recipe is Greek yogurt. May I replace it with plain yogurt? If I do it, what is the difference that I would immediately note?
7
votes
3answers
3k views
Substituting butter for oil: Does it matter for baked goods?
When a recipe (like for muffins) calls for vegetable oil, does it matter if I substitute the oil for butter because I want that buttery taste in the muffins?
Do I need to compensate for the ...
7
votes
3answers
42k views
Substituting table salt or sea salt for kosher salt?
The roasted chicken recipe I'm following of course calls for kosher salt, but I don't have any, and getting some is out of the question.
I have sea salt and table salt on hand.
Can I substitute one ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I substitute Soy Milk when a recipe for baking calls for regular milk?
If a baking recipe calls for regular milk, can I substitute Soy Milk...
11
votes
7answers
36k views
Making (or substitute for) ricotta cheese?
Some of my favorite dishes call for ricotta cheese, be it anything from a lasagna to cannoli. Arguably, this is a very easy thing to find in the States (and presumably elsewhere), so I'd never thought ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Alternative for shake and bake?
I want to make my own shake and bake at home. The shake and bake you buy at the store is full of unpronounceable, non-organic ingredients and seasoning.
I'm looking to make a good crust out of ...
13
votes
4answers
10k views
Is there a vegetarian gelatin substitute that is as strong as gelatin?
I've made several mold (shaped) desserts with both gelatin and gelatin substitutes, and the substitutes have always failed to hold the shape of fully domed chocolate molds and the like. Are there any ...
16
votes
3answers
810 views
Buttermilk substitute?
I've got a recipe that calls for some buttermilk, but none on-hand. Is there some way I could use some common ingredient(s) as a substitute?
12
votes
7answers
6k views
How can I make cookies with no eggs?
I'd like to make some biscuits (cookies), but I have no eggs, and I don't want to leave the apartment.
Can I use something else?
10
votes
8answers
134k views
Butter substitute for 1 cup of butter for baking
What can I substitute for 1 cup of butter in baking recipes (e.g. cookies, muffins, cakes, etc.)?
I'm looking for something that has less saturated fat (and also doesn't have trans fat).
Update: ...
12
votes
7answers
35k views
What is a good substitute for Fish Sauce?
Are there any good substitutes for Fish Sauce for cooking Thai food?
This is due to a severe food allergy (anaphylaxis) to all forms of seafood, so I'm unable to substitute for other fish-based ...
10
votes
3answers
815 views
What changes should I make to accomodate vegan naked fatties?
I would like to make naked fatties on the barbeque this weekend, but want to accomodate some vegan friends (and my on/off lacto-ovo wife). I can easily swap regular pork breakfast sausage for Gimme ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
Substitute for onions and garlic
I love the taste of onions and garlic and it seems lots of other people do too. But they upset my stomach so much that I can't really cook with them. What can I use in their place to give my food a ...
21
votes
7answers
5k views
What are some good substitutes for salt for those on low sodium diets?
I try to keep my sodium intake fairly low to ensure that my blood pressure doesn't get too high.
Salt is such a common part of cooking, and it's especially difficult to cook Asian-style food without ...
15
votes
8answers
320 views
Which vinegars are essential to keep on hand?
There seems to be a large variety of different vinegars called for in the various recipes I've been trying out lately. I've ended up with a cabinet full of half used bottles. That being said, which ...
10
votes
9answers
7k views
What is a good pine nut substitute for pesto?
I'm allergic to pine nuts, is there another nut I can use to make pesto?
10
votes
5answers
3k views
How do you halve a recipe that calls for 1 egg?
How do you halve a recipe that calls for 1 egg?
Clarification: I do not want to have to make the full recipe just to use half and I don't have powdered egg substitute.
7
votes
2answers
289 views
Can I use nut meal or nut butter as a curry base?
Does anyone have experience trying to form a curry with nut starch?
Can I make it work at all? Will I need less oil because the nut carries some of it's own?
Background for this:
For the last few ...
3
votes
3answers
8k views
Can I use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese when making a cheesecake?
If I can, would there be any difference in the measurements? For example if the recipe calls for 8 ounces of cream cheese, would it be the same amount of cottage?
12
votes
1answer
22k views
Conversion rule: how to switch oil and butter?
Just a moment ago, I was making muffins. The recipe calls for 125ml oil.
As a footnote, it says that you can replace the oil with 125g butter.
Can you do so in every recipe (not just muffins or ...
12
votes
8answers
8k views
What ingredients (available in specific regions) can I substitute for parsley?
I have a recipe that calls for fresh parsley. I have substituted other fresh herbs for their dried equivalents but I don't have fresh or dried parsley. Is there something else (ex another dried herb) ...
11
votes
6answers
9k views
Is there an alternative to cornstarch
I made a some pies a couple of days ago. The recipe called for cornstarch and it thicken the filling after it came out of the oven. The only thing is I could taste a bit of the cornstarch when I was ...
8
votes
7answers
4k views
When baking what works well as a sugar substitute?
I'm curious about what I can use for a sugar substitute while baking. I'm not interested in artificial sweetners, really. For instance, I've found that apple juice works well in some muffins. Are ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
Is sweetened condensed milk a substitute for evaporated milk?
I have a recipe for Thai Green Curry that calls for evaporated milk, which I don't have. I do have sweetened condensed milk, will that do?
6
votes
2answers
10k views
Can coconut cream be transformed into coconut milk, or vice versa?
Can coconut cream be transformed into coconut milk, or the other way around? For example, will adding water or cow milk to coconut cream make a usable coconut milk? Or by reducing coconut milk, can I ...
6
votes
2answers
19k views
Can I use Chocolate Chips in place of Semi-sweet baking chocolate?
I don't have baker's semi-sweet chocolate and recipe calls for a box with 8 squares. Can I replace with chocolate chips and if so what would be the ratio?
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Add gelatin to soup as a replacement for stock?
My wife made some chicken soup last night, but we didn't have any stock to start it with, so we used water.
Flavor-wise, the soup was fine - it was just lacking the mouth-feel associated with good ...
5
votes
1answer
7k views
UK alternative to corn syrup?
I've noticed that often when using recipes from the US that corn syrup is called for, and I was wondering what the best alternative to it would be to get in the UK?
I've heard some people saying that ...
5
votes
4answers
4k views
What is 'Cooking Chorizo'?
I have a recipe that calls for "Cooking Chorizo" what is this, would normal cured Chorizo be an acceptable substitute, any advice?
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Non Pork Bacon Alternatives
So, I love turkey bacon, and have it a lot; however, I always feel that i'm eating a mush processed meat.
Are there any meat cut alternatives to pork bacon from other animals?
Has anyone tried to ...
3
votes
8answers
4k views
Bacon substitution
I do a great simple dish that involves bacon so I'm interested whether there is a vegetarian substitute for bacon. It would be quite useful having one since I use it all the time.
Here's the recipe:
...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a substitute for Dijon mustard and if so, what is it?
Can I substitute a small amount of say, hot english mustard for Dijon, or is there some other alternative. (Of course I will get some soon, but right now i have none, and was wondering if i can make ...
2
votes
3answers
4k views
Cheaper alternative to parmesan cheese?
The parmesan cheese in pasta recipe is quite expensive.....do we have cheaper alternative??
Are there are cheddar cheese which can replace parmesan cheese?
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Substituting Dried Shiitake Mushrooms for Fresh
I have a recipe that calls for 12 oz of fresh Shiitake mushrooms. Due to cost and availability concerns, I decided to get dried instead, figuring I would be able to find information about how to ...
28
votes
5answers
7k views
Could coconut cream be used to create a non-dairy ganache for whipping?
A few days ago I made a batch of profiteroles and éclairs, with a minor twist: For half the profiteroles, instead of chantilly cream I used a whipped ganache made from about 2 parts dark or ...
13
votes
9answers
687 views
What are essential ingredients to have in your pantry at all times?
In a few of the cookbooks I own there are sections that go over a list of "must-haves" for a well stocked pantry. I acknowledge this question is subjective, but I do think that there are a half-dozen ...
5
votes
4answers
7k views
How to create a muffin recipe
I would like to experiment more with muffin recipes, but I don't want to stray too far and end up with inedible product. Are there basic parameters I should follow in creating my own muffin recipe?
...
14
votes
4answers
19k views
What good substitutes for saffron exist?
I am a big fan of paella, amongst other uses for saffron. However, it can be a very difficult and/or expensive spice to obtain.
What good substitutes exist?
11
votes
8answers
2k views
Non-cow's milk replacement for Parmesan cheese in Genovese pesto
My family loves Genovese pesto and we'd started making our own (with varied success). One of our number has been diagnosed as intolerant to cow's milk. This rules out pretty much all shop-bought ...
