It's happened to most of us -- we've started making a recipe only to find that we're missing or low on an ingredient. Well, the next time that happens, you'll be prepared with these helpers:
- Baking powder, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Broth (chicken or beef), 1 cup = 1 bouillon cube plus 1 cup water
- Buttermilk, 1 cup = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
- Chocolate, unsweetened, 1 square (1 ounce) = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon shortening or vegetable cooking oil
- Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon = 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- Corn syrup, light, 1 cup = 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water
- Cream or half-and-half, 1 cup = 1-1/2 tablespoons melted butter + enough whole milk to equal 1 cup OR 1/2 cup light cream + 1/2 cup whole milk
- Flour, all-purpose, 1 cup = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cake flour
- Flour, self-rising, 1 cup = 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- Garlic, 1 clove (1/2 teaspoon chopped) = 1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic OR 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Gravy = Similar flavor of ready-made soup
- Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon = 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
- Mayonnaise = Creamy salad dressing
- Milk, whole, 1 cup = 1 cup skim milk + 2 tablespoons butter OR 1/2 cup evaporated whole milk + 1/2 cup water
- Mustard, dry (in cooking), 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- Sour cream, 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice + enough evaporated or plain milk to equal 1 cup
- Tomato juice, 1 cup = 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
- Vegetable oil (for cooking), 1 cup = 1/2 pound butter or margarine
- Vinegar, 1 tablespoon = 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Wine, 1 cup = 1 cup apple juice or cider, chicken or beef broth
Now, if you don't have the exact ingredient called for in a recipe you're making, you'll be able to make a quick substitution that'll still have everybody saying... "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"
