When in Need... Food Substitutions

We’ve all had the experience: we’re in the middle of baking or cooking something that calls for a particular spice or seasoning. Reaching for the ingredient, we find it missing or the container empty.

Frustration sets in as we whip off our apron and head for the supermarket. Here at DVO we work to make cooking an easy and enjoyable enterprise. So instead of frustration, try these substitutions and save yourself a trip to the market!

For:              1 tsp apple pie spice
Substitute: ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground allspice, and a dash of ground ginger

For:              1 Tbs. Cajun seasoning
Substitute: ½ tsp white pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp ground red pepper, ½ tsp paprika and ½ tsp ground black pepper

For:              1 Tbs. fresh snipped herbs
Substitute: ½ to 1 tsp dried herbs

For:              1 tsp poultry seasoning
Substitute: ¾ tsp dried sage and ¼ tsp dried thyme

For:              1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Substitute: ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground allspice 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

One is as good as the other:

Needed spice: Ground allspice
Substitution:   Ground cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves

Needed spice: Chili powder
Substitution:   Dash of bottled hot pepper sauce plus equal measures of ground oregano and cumin

Needed spice: Ground cloves
Substitution:   Ground allspice, cinnamon or nutmeg

Needed spice: Ground cumin
Substitution:   Chili powder

Needed spice: 1 tsp dried mustard
Substitution:   1 Tbs yellow mustard

Needed spice: Paprika
Substitution:   Cayenne pepper (just a dash, it’s hotter than paprika)

Needed spice: 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
Substitution:   2 to 3 drops bottled hot pepper sauce

If you don’t have this, Use this

For: 1 tsp baking powder
Use: ½ tsp cream of tartar plus ¼ tsp baking soda

For: 1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
Use: 1 Tbs cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp sugar

For: 1 cup buttermilk
Use: 1 Tbs lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to equal 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using) or 1 cup plain yogurt

For: 1 cup self rising flour
Use: 1 cup all purpose flour plus 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp baking soda

For: 1 cup half and half or light cream
Use: 1 Tbs melted butter or margarine plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup

For: ½ cup chopped onion
Use: 2 Tbs dried minced onion or ½ tsp onion powder

For: 2 cups tomato sauce
Use: ¾ cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water