Substitutes

If you still cook with vegetable oils, you must be REALLY acquainted with macadamia oil. They’re one of the best out there — probably everyone’s favorite in salad dressing, roasting or deep-frying, or for a fantastic base for a full-flavored marinade. And we understand it’s a matter of personal preference. But sometimes, the situation may bend us to choose otherwise. If this is one of those moments, we’ve already compiled a ready-to-use list of macadamia oil substitutes – not the regular but healthier alternatives that boost a wonderfully smooth buttery flavor, such as grapeseed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc. … Read more

Most people genuinely love using quinoa flour in their baking to make gluten-free bread and other baked goods, or even as a thickening agent for sauces, soups, and stews. And because of its popularity and health benefits, you may think it’s irreplaceable. But that’s only a half-truth. Whether you have a quinoa flour shortage in your kitchen or are strictly working on some dietary restrictions, there are some amazing substitutes for quinoa flour that you can use. Brown rice flour, oat flour, almond flour, buckwheat flour, teff flour, coconut flour, chickpea flour, and millet flour are among the ideal quinoa … Read more

Having a plate of polenta is a treat almost anyone would love for breakfast, especially if you’re making a hot porridge polenta on a cold morning. It is such a great pantry item to have on hand. However, it’s not uncommon that a nearby store runs out of stock all of a sudden, leaving you polenta-less and sad. Have you ever found yourself in this situation or wanting to try something similar to polenta that can still deliver a flavorful and satisfying experience? Lucky for you, there are plenty substitutes for polenta such as oatmeal, mashed potatoes, sweet mashed potatoes, … Read more

Cinnamon is a versatile ingredient that adds an aromatic condiment and flavoring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, breakfast cereals, sweet and savory dishes, snacks, tea, and traditional foods. However, some factors might make you want to replace them. Maybe because you’re on certain medications, or you don’t have them on hand, or you are simply allergic. Whatever may be the reason, there are great close substitutes for a cinnamon stick that provides almost the same citrusy fragrance and sweet, woody flavor suitable for any dish. Some of the best cinnamon stick alternatives are round cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cassia, … Read more

There is no denying that potato flakes are everyone’s favorite, from decadent toppings to appetizing. Its versatility and delicious flavor are just so satisfying in numerous recipes – no wonder it has won a golden spot in the grocery stores worldwide.  But what happens if you have no potato flakes on hand? Are there good potato flakes substitutes that you can immediately use? Yes, there are many suitable potato flakes alternatives that you can use, such as wheat flour, tapioca flour, rice flour, cornstarch, arrowroot, etc. Whether you intend on using potato flakes as a thickening agent in a recipe … Read more

Sambar powder is one of the most important lightly fiery seasonings commonly used for authentic Indian cuisine. It contains an array of complex flavors which give dishes an authentic taste. Sambar powder is not a commonly known spice blend in the west, so you may have trouble finding it; here are some Sambar powder substitutes you can use instead. What Is Sambar Powder and What Is It Made Of? Sambar powder is a South Indian spices powder that is usually flavorful and style coarse-textured. Sambar powder is made by grinding different types of basic Indian spices such as coriander seeds, … Read more

Cognac is one of the best brandies around; it is aged for at least two years in oak casks; it gets its name from where it is produced; cognac, France. It is made from grapes, and each bottle has an alcohol content of about 40%. Cognac, however, is not cheap; the strict production for cognac means you may have to spend a couple of hundred on a bottle. If your recipe calls for cognac, but your budget says no, or you simply want to swap out alcohol from the dish, here are good cognac substitutes that you can use anytime. … Read more

Thai curries are the most popular curries globally. You can find them in Thai restaurants in any region. However, among all the known types of Thai curries, red curry dishes and green curry are the most popular options. To make a curry dish, one of the base ingredients to buy is a curry paste. Now, the curry paste to buy depends on the type of curry dish you want to make. If you were going to prepare a green curry sauce or dish, you should buy a green curry paste. But what happens if you can’t find green curry paste? … Read more

Korma curry is aromatic and full of flavor, it can be mild or very spicy, depending on the amount of chili added, but most store-bought pastes are often on the mild side. The good thing is that you can create your own delicious and creamy korma curry paste using almonds, coconut, and a selection of spices you probably already have on hand or get store-bought. But what will you do if any of these options aren’t available and you probably did not notice it on time to restock them? Well, there are many reasonable korma curry paste substitutes that will also … Read more

Salsa refers to a large variety of Hispanic condiments with textures ranging from smooth to chunky.  Salsa can be made from two or three ingredients, while some are more complex.  Common salsas include roasted tomato, tomatillo, chile-based salsa, and fruit salsas. Salsa is best paired with chips, but it can get boring after a while. But what if you suddenly run out of salsa? Luckily there are plenty of salsa substitutes, such as beans, vegetables, meat, Mexican sour cream dip, etc. You can make endless customization to the delicious dip. In this post, we share some some of the best … Read more