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No Whine With Dinner How many times have you been in the middle of making a recipe only to discover you’re out of a key ingredient? We can certainly relate to that! Thanks to Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference (Sourcebooks, 2010) by Becky Sue Epstein, the next time you run out of pumpkin pie spice, or teriyaki sauce, or even an egg, you’ll be able to swap it with something else from your pantry in no time.
On this week’s Cooking with the Moms podcast, we caught up with Becky for some substitution secrets, like this one for a sweetened, nonfat whipped cream!
Sweetened Whipped Cream
Makes 1 Cup
- 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 cup ice water
- Sweetener of your choice
- Vanilla extract
1. Whip together the nonfat dry milk powder and the ice water. Sweeten to taste and add vanilla as desired. Serve over berries, pie, or a fruit crisp.
Becky also shared her best swaps for pumpkin (or apple) pie spice and tartar sauce.
The next time you run out of pie spice, create your own with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon allspice, and 1/8 teaspoon cardamom. According to Becky, this recipe yields enough to make one 9-inch pie.
Does your tartar sauce sit in the fridge for a year before you “find it” and finally toss it? Make your own (and save money) with Becky’s easy-does-it recipe …
Tartar Sauce
Makes About 1/2 Cup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish or sweet pickles, chopped
- 4 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon onion, chopped, optional
- 1 tablespoon hard-boiled eggs, chopped, optional
- A few drops of lemon juice, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon dill, optional
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together until well combined.
Besides her substitution tips (don’t have a cardoon … no worries!), Becky also reveals common yields (did you know 1 pound of potatoes yields 1 ¾-cups mashed?), remedies for fixing common kitchen disasters, and household formulas. We think every home cook in America should buy this book; it’s truly indispensable. But before you hit the bookstore, enter to win our giveaway for Substituting Ingredients!
To enter, post a comment on this blog post telling us why you’d like to win this book. The giveaway ends on Wednesday, September 1 at noon, and as always we’ll use random.org to pick our winner. We Will Enter You into the Giveaway a Second Time if you Tweet about it and a third time if you subscribe to our RSS feed (just be sure to leave us a new comment if you tweet and/or subscribe). Good luck!
Thanks Becky for an awesome interview!
102 Responses to “Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference and a Giveaway (Podcast #114)”
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This book sounds great for someone like me. Always forgetting to pick up all the ingredients for a new recipe (or old for that matter).
I need this book! I successfully & UNsuccessfully switch out ingredients when I forget something or don’t like an ingredient. Some good advice would be much appreciated!
I want it because I hated knocking on my neighbors doors last week looking for oats to make one of YOUR blueberries recipes! Wish I had known of something else I could have used since my oats were long expired!
I’d love to know how to substitute properly – I usually just fake it!
I subscribe!
i would love love love this book because i always run out of these simple ingredients, and as a single mom this could come in really handy!
I could really use this book! Despite trying my best to have a properly stocked pantry, I always seem to be missing an ingredient.
This sounds like a fantastic book. Here in India, we all have to work our minds for substituting, this book would be perfect!!
I’d love to win this book because I am notorious for starting a recipe without really checking (“oh, I know I have that”) to see if I have all the ingredients and then have to scramble for a substitute at the last minute!
I’d love this book because I am ALWAYS in the kitchen, trying to create healthy meals my family will love and BAM! I’ll realize I’m totally out of something that I really need to make the recipe taste great! This book would help me feed my family the healthy, DELICIOUS meals they so deserve
This would be a great addition to my kitchen. I’m forever deciding on a last minute recipe and finding that I’m missing just one thing. Maybe this would be a frustration ender.
I subscribe!
This is really one of my favorite books, I have the second edition and it will be one of those books I will never give away! I love it, and would love to thank Becky for making it so much easier to cook over the years I have had it.
I love to read and cook and what better way to gift myself than winning this awesome book…sounds very interesting…thank you..
ramvinayak_81@rediffmail.com
Having a book like this would save me a last minute run to the grocery store once I discover I’m missing an important ingredient.
I’m already a RSS feed subscriber.
Would love this book because it never fails I always need something from the grocery store!!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have needed this book, I have no creativity when it comes to thinking of substitutions.
I am an RSS feed subscriber!
I tweated! http://twitter.com/ugandamom/statuses/21606185632
Oh, I totally need this. I am bad at math, and have to run to the computer and consult google any time I need to do a kitchen conversion. It would be so much easier to consult such a fabulous cook book!
I am a Google reader subscriber
I already substitute as often as I can, for both the economic and health benefits, but I usually have to spend a good amount of time looking up substitution ideas online. This book would definitely simplify life!
I am a subscriber!
This sounds like the best book! I am always scrambling around trying to figure out how to make the recipe I want without some of the ingredients. Would love to win this!
I need this book because I refuse to go grocery shopping with my kids in tow (6,4 and 2 yrs old), which means that I am frequently out of ingredients!
Although I think I keep a pretty stocked pantry and try to plan ahead, I just have to have a resource like that in my kitchen! Besides just having it to help you when you don’t have something, the information on how to successfully make substitutions would be so great!
I am the WORST at starting something before I make sure i have everything I need! I love using substitutions. This book would be a life saver—or meal saver at least
I am really a novice cook but trying hard. I never know what to do when I’m missing something. This would be such a help. Usually I just run next door and beg.
If I don’t win this I am going to buy three copies- one for me and one for each of my daughters who are starting their grad school lives each in an apartment and learning to cook for themselves. If I frequently make substitutions- yesterday while making my ginger cookie dough I discovered my empty cinnamon jar. So 1/2 tsp nutmeg went into the dough a long with the ginger, and cloves . Tomorrow I bake then and see how they taste. Subs for buttermilk.. fantastic … homemade tarter sauce… sounds great, our bottle always goes out of date before its used up. Can’t wait to read this book!
I would love to win this book because I am just getting back to cooking after being non-weight bearing since April after ankle fusion surgery! I’ve been existing off of my boyfriend’s cooking (frozen meals…) and the occasional mom’s leftovers. I can’t wait to get back to cooking again, but since I’m not driving yet, I can’t be dashing off to the grocery store when I need something, so I need to be able to substitute! This is perfect!
I am already an RSS feed subscriber, via Google Reader!
With a toddler in the house, there are no “quick trips to the grocery store” if I forget something. Being able to substitute ingredients when I forget something would be a dream come true!
I need this book, since I somehow never have what I think I have in the pantry. =)
I retweeted =) . I need this book! I’m always trying to think of what I can substitute for certain ingredients when I’m baking but I either end up running to the store at some odd hour or I just give up on the whole recipe. Thanks for the offering the giveaway!
What a great resource. I am clearn “cooking” challenged and can’t tell you how many time I’ve started a recipe then come to find out I don’t have 1 (or sometimes even more than one) ingredient. I usually end up throwing it out or spending an hour looking for a substitute on the internet.
What a great resource. I am clearly “cooking” challenged and can’t tell you how many time I’ve started a recipe then come to find out I don’t have 1 (or sometimes even more than one) ingredient. I usually end up throwing it out or spending an hour looking for a substitute on the internet.
I am notorious for cooking/baking spontaneously (which translates to, I often don’t have the ingredients I need). I am more willing to knock on my neighbors’ doors for eggs, milk, or baking powder than take a ride to the grocery store. I also find myself always googling substitutions. I would love to read this book and discover new substitutions, especially if they are healthier, and have a one-stop shop for all my substitutions.
would LOVE this book – especially for the yields info. Loved the podcast!
Would love to win the book since it is unavailable on Amazon right now. And as a stay at home mom that needs to watch for ingrediants due to medical dietary restrictions this would com in VERY handy.
I subscribe.
I follow you on FaceBook!
I’m always running the store or giving up on a recipe. This book would be great!
A book like this is invaluable. My 3 year old daughter and I love to cook and bake together as one of our “momma / daughter” times. Unfortunately we don’t have the money to just run to the store and pick up all of the ingredients we need all of the time. It would be amazing if we could find a substitute that would allow us to still make something fun in the kitchen together.
I am constantly finding myself in the middle of a recipe and then realize I’m missing an ingredient. This book would save me so many emergency trips to the store!!
This book would be great! My kids like to pretent bake at their little kitchen & always seem to know where and how to get to my spices! So when they are missing, this would be a great help!
I could see this being a real “go-to” book in my kitchen. Healthier substitutions are always good to have at the ready!
I just found your website and I love it!
I could use this book because no matter how good my grocery shopping list is, I ALWAYS forget something and I hate to drag 2 kids back to the store so I’m always “winging it.” Sometimes it works and sometimes we order pizza!
Would like to win this great sounding book to be able to gain more control over what goes into my cooking, such as reducing salt content of common ingredients.
My neighbors would appreciate my receiving this book…I always run to them when I’m out of something and of course they can bail me most of the time.
I would love this book because I am often out of 1 thing and am googling and trying to find what I can substitute. It would be son handy to have a book of substitutions!
As much as I wish I were always well prepared, that’s just not the case in my busy life. I’d love a book that could offer substitutions – what a lifesaver that would be!
What a great book…I’d love a copy because I’m always out of that ingredient I need and trying to improvise and then it ends up not tasting quite right.
I need this book to spare my poor family from any more of my substitution disasters- I’m a shameless substituter if it means saving money or preventing a grocery run. I still remember my first “incident” in 9th grade when I was making myself some boxed Mac and cheese, only to discover that we were out of milk once it was too late to turn back (noodles were in). For some reason it seemed like the best sub would be, no, not water, but a different white creamy dairy product- one kept in the freezer and often used as dessert. Vanilla ice cream is good with anything, right? 8-P
I’m subscribed with google reader!
This book is a great idea! I’m often at a loss of what to substitute. My pet peeve is bacon and ham. I don’t use these items in my cooking, but they are often called for. Will be interested in seeing what she suggests….
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this giveaway because I just started “substituting” two weeks ago and so far I am in love! I never realized how much more health friendly I could make our favorite every day foods. I’d love more help/inspiration! I will tweet this for sure and follow!
I need this book because I bake alot and will get mid recipe and realize I am out of a very important ingredient!
This book sounds wonderful. I would love to win!
Sounds like a great book for me! I’d love to know body friendly and kid friendly substutions!
I hate having to run to the store for one ingredient and/or having a huge container of something I’m going to use just a tiny amount of. This would be a great help!
Oh, pick me, pick me! I could really use help in this way!! Pick me, please pick me!!! Thank you!
i’m always forgetting something!
I’d like to win this book because I never know what to substitute for things I’m missing. It happens more than I’d like to admit.
Having a book like this would help me to be more resourceful with the items I do have in my cupboard.
I never seem to have the right ingredients & tend to cook on a whim with little preparation. I’m always trying to substitute stuff & taking a best guess at what might work. Thanks!
I would love to find ways to substitute better ingredients into my recipes! Plus, I love your laid back, “must each chocolate each day” attitude!
I could really use this book. I am always running out and need
substitutes.
I’d love this book for two reasons: 1. Alot of times I find that my spices are old when I go to use them and some of them are expensive to keep buying to use just once in a while; and 2. Some things are just better made yourself so you know exactly what is in them.
I would love this book because I tend to find obscure recipes that I want to try and then it costs me $20 to round up all the ingredients…not to mention the time! It would be nice to know what options I have available.
I make too many extra trips to the market!
I’m always running out of things–this would be great!
I run out of a crucial ingredient all too often. Would love to have this handy book to turn to for help.
I am an email subscriber.
I am always forgetting ingredience having to go back to the store so frustrating! I Love to cook but would love it more if i had things on hand to use : )
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
i would love this book b/c it seems I am always setting aside great looking recipes b/c there is some ingredient i don’t have on hand!
just posted on twitter
just posted on FB
I’d like the book because I’m always missing that one thing. The book would be great!
I subscribe.
This sounds like a great book for me b/c I never have all the ingredients I need on hand! I tend to make my own substitutes for better or worse!
Always love a new book. This would be a great tool in the kitchen.
I am. a subscriber. I also am teaching my daughter home-ec; this book would be an essential part of her education!!!!
I would enjoy having this book because besides being a handy reference, it would also save money by helping me avoid needless trips to the grocery store.
I am a subsciber what a great idea Thanks for this giveaway, my son is a very picky eater!!!
This book sounds perfect. I always go through recipes and think I have everything except that 1 thing. Now I don’t have to put the recipe aside until I get that, I can just make it myself.
I subscribe. And it’s my birthday today so what a great birthday present it would make.
Wow! A whole book about substitutions! Sounds fab!
It would come in handy when cooking and i’m missing an ingredient.
Would love a book like this…I’m always realizing at the last minute that I am out of something or other & usually have to run to the computer…having a book at my finger tips would be so nice!
I would love this book as I try to make more family meals that are flexible if I don’t have the right ingredients!
I tweeted this, too!
This book sounds like a handy addition to most people’s kitchen. I am often experiementing to see what else I can use for subs in recipes just to use something up or because I don’t have the ingredient. but I never know if it will work??? It would be good to have a book of tried and true things to try.
Would love this book! It would be so great to have on hand!
Perfect! I’m always looking for substitutes rather than running to the store for a single item. Thanks!
I subscribe to your RSS feed using Google Reader.
I always start a new recipe thinking I have all the ingredients and of course I don’t! This book would be a great addition to my kitchen!!
I am always frustrated when I don’t have the right ingredients. I would love this book. It seems that my well stocked kitchen is never quite well stocked and i don’t have any idea on substituting. This book would be great.
Great idea for a book- would love to win one for those ‘oops I don’t have that ingredient moments’ !
Love the idea of being able to substitute – especially loved the tartar sauce recipe – I always end up throwing out 90% of it after I use it once or twice and then it goes bad…thanks for the great tips!
Fantastic cookbook…would like it in my collection. It becomes very hard to find ingredients in a small town and it would be nice to have a cookbook that shows substitute ingredients.
[...] Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference and aHow many times have you been in the middle of making a recipe only to discover you’re out of a key ingredient? We can certainly relate to that! Thanks to … Sweetened Whipped Cream … Thanks to Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference (Sourcebooks, 2010) by Becky Sue Epstein, the next time you run out of… [...]