Ingredient Substitutions

Don't you just hate when you're going to make something for dinner and you're missing an ingredient?  Then it's a mad rush to the grocery store to pick up what you need and dinner is late.  Not anymore!  Here are some ingredient substitutions that may help:

If you don't have . . .

• 1 cup self rising flour, use 1 cup all purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup chopped onion, use 2 tablespoons dried minced onion or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, use 1 tablespoon cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk, use 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to equal 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using) or 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 cups tomato sauce, use 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water
• 1 cup half-and-half or light cream, use 1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine plus enough whole milk to make 1 cup

I'm always missing spices and seasonings too.  So here are some substitutes, but be sure to use only half of what the recipe calls for.  That way you can add more to suit your taste.

If you don't have. . .

• Ground allspice, use ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves 
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard, use 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• Paprika, use just a "titch" (got this word from Brandi) of cayenne pepper
• Ground cloves, use ground allspice, cinnamon or nutmeg
• Chili powder, use a dash of bottled hot pepper sauce plus equal measures of ground oregano and cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, use 2 to 3 drops of bottled hot pepper sauce
• Ground cumin, use chili powder
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, use 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, use 3/4 teaspoon dried sage and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon each of white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground red pepper, paprika and ground black pepper
• Fresh herbs, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried herbs