When You need a Quick Substitute in Your Recipes.

I love to cook and share my recipes. I have found myself right in the middle of preparing something special only to realize I don't have all the ingredients. I suppose I could run to the grocery store, or borrow it from a neighbor, but....... I live in the country and my closest neighbor lives about 1/4 mile from me. Besides, I hate going to the grocery store and leaving my dish half finished. I found countless sites that give you a few substitutions to use, but I continue to add to my list so that I can have a more comprehensive list to go to. Here it is:

1. 1 Tsp baking powder = (1/2 Tsp cream of tartar + 1/4 Tsp baking soda)

2. 1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar = (1 Tbsp cider vinegar or red wine vinegar + 1/2 Tsp sugar)

3. 1 Cup buttermilk = (1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + enough milk to equal 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes before using.) or 1 Cup plain yogurt

4. 1 Cup self-rising flour = (1 Cup all-purpose flour + 1 Tsp baking powder, 1/2 Tsp salt, and 1/4 Tsp baking soda)

5. 1 Cup Half & half or light cream = (1 Tbsp melted butter or margarine + enough whole milk to make 1 cup)

6. 1/2 Cup chopped onion = (2 Tbsp dried minced onion or 1/2 Tsp onion powder)

7. 1 Cup tomato juice = ( 1/2 Cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water)

8. 1 Small onion = ( 1 Tbsp minced onion, re hydrated)

9. 2 Cups tomato sauce = (3/4 Cup tomato paste + 1 cup water)

10. 1 Cup catsup or chili sauce = (1 Cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup sugar and 2 Tbsp regular vinegar)

11. 1 Square chocolate = (3-4 Tbsp cocoa + 1 Tbsp butter)

12. 1 Tbsp cornstarch = (2 Tbsp flour or 2 Tsp quick-cooking tapioca)

13. 3/4 Cup cracker crumbs = ( 1 Cup bread crumbs)

14. 1 Pound dates = (1-1/2 Cups dates, pitted and cut)

15. 1 Tsp dry mustard = ( 1 Tbsp prepared mustard)

16. 1 Tbsp fresh herbs = ( 1 Tsp dried herbs)

17. 1 Cup sour milk = ( 1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + sweet milk to make 1 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes before use.)

18. 1 Cup whole milk = ( 1/2 Cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water)

19. 10 Miniature marshmallows = ( 1 Large marshmallow)

20. 1/2 Cup brown sugar = ( 2 Tbsp molasses in 1/2 cup granulated sugar)

21. 1 Cup powdered sugar = (1/2 Cup granulated sugar plus 1 Tsp cornstarch)

I think on my next hub, I will come up with a list of equivalent amounts to use. This is one of my pet peeves. When looking at a recipe that calls for a pound of something, what do you do? Do you grab your scale? What if you only need a few ounces? See what I mean, this is a topic that needs to be addressed. Watch for one of my next hubs to find the answers to that riddle.