SUBSTITUTES

Since this is Chinese vinegar, it is not hard to determine from which type of food it is produced. Yep, it is from the Chinese staple food called rice. This vinegar is made from fermented black, sticky rice or glutinous rice, alongside wheat, millet, and/or sorghum. Actually, the full name of Chinese black vinegar is…

Most of us like meatballs. These balls of meat are tender and juicy, as well as flavorful. Aside from that, they are very versatile, as you can serve them with various dishes, including yogurt sauce, gravy, tomato sauce, and so on.  But did you know that one of their main ingredients is actually eggs? Yes,…

I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine preparing chicken or turkey without adding poultry seasoning. When I run out of it, I choose some of the spice blend substitutes similar to it or I add different herbs and spices that are found in poultry seasoning. Given that poultry seasoning is a blend of…

Often called Mediterranean syrup, pomegranate molasses is one of the most important ingredients in Middle Eastern cooking and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is juicy and consists of 3 main ingredients including pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, and sugar. Since it possesses pomegranate seeds and lemon juice as two of the three main ingredients, you can easily…

Except for being delicious, gummy bears, mouse cakes, panna cotta, and marshmallows all have one thing in common: GELATIN. Let’s say that you’re in the mood to cook one of these (or similar recipes) but you don’t have any gelatin at hand. Finding the best replacement for gelatin is not an easy task. It took…

If you live in Louisiana, you certainly know what creole seasoning is. For those who don’t, it is a flavorful spice blend that originates from the cuisine of Louisiana, particularly Creole cuisine.  However, nowadays, creole seasoning is used in various other cuisines to add depth and specific savory and spicy flavor to meats, seafood, veggies,…

Liqueurs are one of the most versatile ingredients you can find. They can be used in many dishes including desserts and savory dishes. But, they are probably the most popular options in cocktails, especially for those who are not really into culinary activities. Among many types of liqueurs, there is one type that stands out…

Very small fish that can be used in many dishes like soups, salads, pasta, and even to make tomato sauce, anchovies can be an incredible ingredient in many culinary masterpieces by both home cooks and professional chefs. They can be used in various forms. In the kitchen, anchovies can appear as a paste, fresh fillets,…

So, what is this mace? I am sure that most of you who came to this article to find the best mace substitute know what it is. But it is definitely not out of place to give you a little more detail. Mace is an incredible spice that is yellowish-brown in color and is derived…

So, adobe. It is a Spanish word that, when translated, means “sauce, marinade, or seasoning. This sauce, which has its origins in the Philippines, is somewhat uncharacteristic in terms of its flavor. It is a combination of earthy, sweet, and smoky flavors. Therefore, it’s not a particularly hot sauce, and I guess many of you…

The other day I was thinking about making Gruyere mac and cheese (one of my favorite meals) only to realize that I ran out of this cheesy goodness! (*a-long-sigh-of-despair*)  So, I had two options: I could’ve skipped preparing my fav meal OR I could’ve found some other worthy substitutes for Gruyere cheese.  And do you…

When it comes to Chinese, or Asian cuisine in general, water chestnuts are often used ingredients. They are aquatic tubers that originate from southeast Asia and parts of Africa. Maybe this seems a little strange to you, considering that they have the word chestnut in their name. But actually, water chestnuts are not nuts at…

Italian seasoning is a combination of different dried herbs including basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and sage. In my kitchen, it is an ESSENTIAL ingredient that I preferably use to spice up soups and stews.  When I ran out of it, I did my research and found some worthy substitutes for Italian seasoning. I must…

Known as katsuobushi in Japan, bonito flakes are an essential part of Asian cuisine. In Japanese cuisine, you can’t imagine a traditional dish without adding at least a few bonito flakes. So, what are these bonito flakes, and what is the best bonito flakes substitute? First, here I am talking about dried bonito flakes or…

Are you planning to make a special dinner for your sweetheart, with their favorite lasagna on the menu? But there is no ricotta cheese in the fridge or the closest grocery store? You are doomed! Or not. Don’t worry, of course, you are not doomed. There are alternatives. I am here to help you find…

So, famous and recognizable feta cheese. Surely, this is the one that you will often find in your fridge. But, what if a group of friends suddenly appear at your door late in the evening, for whom you once promised to make a tasty Greek salad or some other famous Greek dish? You open the…

If you are a really big fan of spicy food and hot dishes, then you might have heard of scotch bonnet pepper. The reason for this is that this type of pepper is commonly sold and it is a little difficult to find it in the grocery store. So, if you plan to catch your…

Hello, hot and spicy lovers. Surely, most of you are, seeing as you came to look for an answer to this question. The topic of this article is, primarily, the best harissa substitute. Of course, apart from that, you will also learn something about harissa itself, that is about harissa paste. This type of paste…

Considering the level of spiciness, it’s not quite the typical Mexican spicy food, but still very popular in Mexican cuisine, and recently also in other world cuisines. This amazing pepper belongs to the so-called “Holy Trinity” of Mexican Chilies, which speaks for the important place this type of pepper occupies in Mexico. These chilies are…

For those of you who aren’t familiar with bulgur wheat, it is made from whole-grain hard red winter wheat. It can be boiled or steamed.  Bulgur has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture, and it is often used in salads, side dishes, soups, and desserts.  Now, if you’re out of bulgur wheat, there’s no…

Ancho chiles are dried, smoked, and ground poblano peppers. The ancho pepper is one of the most popular varieties of dried peppers used in Mexican cuisine because it has a deep flavor that is often described as earthy or smoky with hints of raisins and chocolate.  I personally love them because they have that little…

Oh no! You’ve just started preparing a lamb skillet or some Mediterranean fish and realized you’re out of rosemary. What should you do now? Don’t worry. Your recipe isn’t ruined. There are still numerous herb options you can use to spice up your meal. Sure, rosemary is the original spice, but there is also a…

One thing is for sure: there is no Louisiana creole cooking without Cajun seasoning. It is a spice mix used by mostly French settlers and even Native Americans and African Americans as well. Now, it’s a famous part of New Orleans cuisine. You can put it in almost any dish: meat, veggies, stews, tacos, soups,…

I always say that sauces are the soul of every dish. In particular, chili garlic sauce is heaven for our taste buds. If you’re also a fan of this “fiery sauce,” then you know what I’m talking about. This sauce has Vietnamese origins and is most popular in Asian cuisine. Chili garlic sauce is a…