A WORD OF WARNING BEFORE READING:
These substitutions should be used when there really is no alternative. In all honesty, you cannot substitute one ingredient for another & still have the original dish......but you'll still have a good dish!
A
Acorn Squash
butternut squash
pumpkin
Advieh
"
Advieh"
Agar-Agar
gelatine
carrageen
guar gum
Almond, ground / meal
ground hazelnut
Almond, whole
peanut
hazelnut
Allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, in baking
black pepper, in cooking
Anise
fennel
dill
cumin
Anise Seed or Star Anise
fennel seed
caraway seed (use more)
chervil (use a lot more)
Apricot, dried
dried peach,
dried nectarine,
golden raisins / sultanas
Apricot, dried paste / qamar el-deen /ameerdine
dried apricot soaked in water then liquidised
Arabic cheese/ jibneh
feta cheese
Arrowroot
flour, up to a few tablespoons, for thickening
Artichoke, hearts
khorchef / cardoon /spanish or wild artichoke, flower hearts or stem itself
Aubergine / eggplant
japanese eggplant
baby eggplant
courgette / zucchini
B
Baharat
"
baharat aka middle east mixed spices. The real mix"
Baking Powder, one teaspoon double acting
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar + 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 cup sour milk, cream or buttermilk; reduce some other liquid from recipe
1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 2 more eggs if recipe calls for sweet milk; reduce some other liquid from recipe
4 teaspoons quick cooking tapioca
Baking Powder, single acting
3/4 teaspoon double acting baking powder
Basil, dryed
tarragon
Basmati Rice
long grain white rice
Bay Leaf
indian bay leaf
thyme
boldo leaves
Beef Broth, 1 cup
1 beef boullion cube + 1 cup water
Beef Stock, 1 cup
1 cup beef consomme
Berkukis
israeli cous cous
lebanese cous cous
maftoul
Black eyed peas beans
haricot beans
yellow eyed peas
pigeon peas
Broad beans / fava beans
lima beans
Brown Lentils
green lentils (french)
Butter
margerine
shortening
ghee / clarified butter
Buttermilk
1 cup milk + 1 3/4 tablespoon cream of tartar
sour cream
1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice
Butternut Squash
acorn squash
pumpkin
butternut squash
C
Cardoon / khorchef / wild or spanish artichoke
artichoke, stem or heart
celery
Capers
pickled, green nasturium seeds
chopped green olives
Caraway Seed
fennel seed
cumin seed
Cardomom
cinnamon
mace
Carrots
parsnips
Cauliflower
kohlrabi
Cayenne Pepper
hot red pepper, ground
chili powder
Celery
fennel
khorchef / wild or spanish artichoke
Celery Root / Celeriac
kohlrabi
turnip
Celery Seed
dill seed
Chervil
parsley
tarragon (use less)
anise (use less)
italian parsley
Chicken stock
1 chicken stock cube + cup water
Chick peas/ garbanzo beans
haricot beans
great northern beans (good for hummus)
lima beans
black eyed peas
yellow eyed beans
Chilli or Chilli Peppers - hot
jalapeno
habanero
fresno
serrano
Chilli or Chilli Peppers, mild
anaheim or chili verde
banana peppers or hungarian wax peppers
pepperoncini
Chilli Powder
cayenne pepper
optional: garlic salt/powder, and other spices.
Chives
spring /green onion /scallion tops
onion powder (use small amount)
leeks
shallots (use less)
Coriander leaf / cilantro / chinese parsley
italian parsley for looks
lemongrass with a little mint
Cinnamon, ground
cinnamon stick or bark
allspice (use less)
ground cassia
cardamom
Cinnamon, stick or bark
cassia bark
ground cinnamon
ground cassia
allspice (use a tiny amount)
cardamon
Cloves, ground or whole
allspice
nutmeg
mace
black cardamon
Coconut, fresh grated
dessicated coconut
If less than 1/2 cup, can be omitted from recipe.
Coconut Milk, fresh, thick, 1 cup
4 to 5 tablespoons coconut cream, solidified, dissolved in 1 cup hot water or milk
1 cup top layer of canned cream of coconut liquid
1 cup double / medium cream with 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring
Coconut Milk, fresh, thin, 1 cup
2 tablespoons coconut cream, solidified, dissolved in 1 cup hot water or milk
1 cup canned cream of coconut liquid
1 cup whole milk with 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring
1 cup milk beaten with 3 tablespoons grated coconut
Coriander Seed, ground
coriander-cumin powder
caraway plus cumin
Cornflour / cornstarch
flour, up to a few tablespoons for thickening
Couscous
berkukis
israeli couscous
bulgur
quinoa
kasha
millet
orzo
rice
Courgette . zuchinni
pattypan squash
yellow crookneck squash
yellow straightneck squash
Cream, clotted
heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
creme fraiche
Cream - single, /Light / half and half, 1 cup
1/2 cup double / heavy cream + 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup milk
Cream Cheese
cottage cheese blended with cream or cream with a little butter and/or milk to correct consistency.
mascarpone
blended ricotta
Creme Fraiche
sour cream, in recipes
1/2 sour cream and 1/2 heavy cream
Cumin
coriander-cumin powder
1/3 anise + 2/3 caraway
curry powder - mild madras
Currants, 1 cup dried
1 cup raisins
1 cup soft prunes or dates, finely chopped
If less than 1/2 cup, can be omitted from recipe
D
Dates
prunes
dried figs
Dill / dillweed
fennel leaves
tarragon
Dill Seed
caraway
celery seed
Dukkah
2 tablespoons sesame seeds + 1 tablespoon cumin seeds+1/2 tablespoon ground coriander +1/4 cup hazelnuts, finely chopped +1/4 teaspoon salt
E
Eggplant
japanese eggplant
baby eggplant
zucchini / courgette
Evaporated Milk
single /light cream or half and half with a little icing sugar
heavy cream with icing sugar
F
Fava beans / broad beans
lima beans
Fennel, bulb
belgian endive
celery
Fennel seed
anise seed or star anise
caraway seed
Figs, dried
dates
Filo / phyllo
chinese spring roll sheets
"
Homemade Phyllo"
Flour, for thickening, use up to a few tablespoons only
Bisquick
quick cooking tapioca
cornstarch or corn flour (use less)
arrowroot (use less)
brown rice flour, soy flour, or rye flour
potato starch or potato flour
mashed potatoes, flakes or prepared
1 whole egg, 2 yolks, or 2 whites especially for cooked sauces and whisk continuously.
pancake flour, for frying meat or chicken
Flour, Self Raising / Rising, 1 cup
1 cup flour + 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, with optional pinch of salt
Flour, White, for baking, 1 cup
1 cup + 2 tablespoons cake flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour; reduce shortening to 2/3 the amount for cookies; add 1 or 2 more tablespoons liquid for cakes; add more for bread.
Flour, Whole Wheat, 1 cup
1 cup graham flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ + enough white flour to make 1 cup
G
Garlic, 1 clove
1/4 teaspoon dried, minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, omit 1/2 teaspoon salt from recipe
garlic chives (use more)
elephant garlic (use more)
Garlic, Green
leeks
Ghee / smen
clarified butter
butter
Ginger, fresh, grated
powdered ginger (use less)
crystalized ginger, minced with sugar washed off
Ginger, powdered
1/3 mace + 2/3 lemon peel
Green lentils (french)
brown lentils
Green Onions
scallions
leeks
shallots (use less)
chives
Green Peppers
yellow peppers
red peppers
celery
H
Haricots Verts
young green beans
Haricot beans
black eyed peas
Harissa
12 dried chilli peppers +4 cloves garlic +1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil +1 teaspoon salt +2 teaspoons cumin
Honey
maple syrup
corn syrup
golden syrup
Hot Red Pepper Flakes
chopped, dried red pepper pods
red pepper (use less)
I
Indian Fig / Prickly Pear
pepino melon
watermelon
J
Jubneh/Kibneh baidah / arabic cheese
feta cheese
K
La Kama
"
La Kama"
Kashk/ Kaske
sour cream
Kidney Beans
pink beans
pinto beans
red beans
Kiwi Fruit
fresh strawberries with a little lime juice
Khorchef / cardoon / wild or spanish artichoke
artichoke, stem or heart
celery
Kohlrabi
cauliflower
artichoke hearts
broccoli stems
celeriac
turnip
Kusa / Koosa
cucuzza
small courgette / zucchini
L
Laban
buttermilk
1 cup milk + 1tbsp lemon juice
natural yogurt
La Kama
"
La Kama"
Lamb Broth, 1 cup
1 lamb boullion cube + 1 cup water
lamb Stock, 1 cup
1 cup lamb consomme
1 lamb stock cube + cup water
Leeks
shallots
green onions
onions (use less)
Lemon, dried
loomi
Lemon Flavoring
lime
lemongrass
verbena / luisa
Lemongrass
lemon or lemon rind
verbena /luisa
Lemon Juice
vinegar
lime juice
Lemon Peel, grated
equal amounts of lime marmalade
equal amounts of lime or orange peel
If less than 1 tablespoon is used, can be omitted from recipe especially if another flavoring is being used.
Lentils
yellow split peas
Lime
lemon
Lime Juice
lemon juice
M
Mace
allspice
cloves
nutmeg
Marjoram
oregano (use less)
thyme
Mascarpone
cream cheese, whipped with a little butter and/or heavy cream
blended ricotta
Melon
papaya
mango
Milk, evaporated
single / light cream or half and half with a little icing sugar
heavy cream with a little icing sugar
Milk, in baking
fruit juice + 1/2 teaspoon baking soda added to the flour
Milk, 1 cup
1 cup light cream, can also delete up to 4 tablespoons shortening from recipe
1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water
1 cup skim milk
3 tablespoons powdered milk + 1 cup water, add 2 tablespoons butter if whole milk is required
Millet
orzo
barley
quinoa
cous cous
Mustard, Dry, 1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon prepared mustard from jar
N
Nutmeg
allspice
cloves
mace
Nuts, in baking
bran
soy nuts, toasted and chopped
O
Okra /ladys fingers
eggplant , texture will be different
Olive oil
sunflower oil
canola oil
vegetable oil
Onions, sweet
vidalia
walla walla
maui
red, also called italian red or purple
bermuda
spanish yellow
Orange
pink grapefruit
tangerine,
manderin
satsuma
clementine
Orange Peel
glace orange
tangerine peel
grapfruit peel
marmalade
lemon or lime peel
Orange Blossom (flower) water /mazhar
orange blossom powder - use less
orange blossom flavouring - use a tiny drop
orange extract - drop of
rose water
Oregano
marjarom
rosemary
thyme, fresh
P
Paprika
red pepper
cayenne pepper
Parsley
chervil
tarragon
Parlsey Root
parsnip
Parsnips
parsley root
carrots
khorchef / cardoon... root
Pasta, tiny - for soups & tli tli
orzo
pastini
Pasta, tube or elbow
bocconcini
cannolicchi
ditali
macaroni
penne
rigatoni
ziti
Phyllo /filo pastry
chinese spring roll sheets
"
Homemade Phyllo"
Pattypan Squash or Summer Squash
yellow crookneck squash
yellow straightneck squash
zucchini
Pecans
walnuts, in small amounts
Pimento
sweet red peppers, roasted and peeled
Pine Nuts /Pignoli
chopped walnuts for pesto etc.
blanched, peeled, slivered almonds
Pink Beans
pinto beans
red beans
kidney beans, a larger bean
Pinto Beans
pink beans
red beans
kidney beans
Pita Bread
flour tortilla
Pomegranite, fresh
pomegranite juice+finely diced pear
Prickly Pear / Indian Fig
pepino melon
watermelon
Preserved Lemons
Preserved Fresh Lemons
Preserved Lemons
Lemon rind / skin simmered for 30-40 mins
Prunes
dates
raisins
dried apricots
Pumpkin
acorn squash
butternut squash
Q
Quince
golden delicious apple
bartlett pear
Quinoa
couscous
millet
bulgur
R
Ras el hanout
"
North African Ras El Hanout Spice Mix"
equal amounts cumin, coriander & allspice
Raisins, 1 cup
1 cup currants
1 cup soft prunes or dates, finely chopped
Red pepper
paprika
cayenne
Rice
barley
bulgur
couscous
millet
quinoa
Rishta / reshta
cappelini pasta
chitarra pasta
fedelini pasta
vermicelli pasta
Rosemary
marjoram
oregano
Rose Water
rose syrup
rose essence
rose flavouring
S
Safflower or Azafran
saffron (use tiny bit less)
Saffron, 1/8 teaspoon
1 teaspoon dried yellow marigold petals
1 teaspoon azafran or safflower
1/2 - 1 teaspoon achiote seeds
1/2 - 1 teaspoon turmeric, for colour only
Sage
rosemary
oregano
Salt, Kosher
sea salt
table salt
Savory
thyme
Sesame Seed
finely chopped almonds
Smen / ghee
clarfied butter
butter
margarine
shortening
Snow Peas
sugar snap peas
Sorrel
spinach with a little added lemon
Sour Cream, 1 cup
1 tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup; let stand 5 minutes before using
1 tablespoon lemon juice + enough evaporated milk to make 1 cup
1 cup plain yogurt, especially in dips and cold soups
cottage cheese, mixed with yogurt if desired, and 2 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, blend well
6 ounces cream cheese + 3 tablespoons milk
1/3 cup melted butter + 3/4 cup sour milk, for baking
Sour Milk, 1 cup
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup
Sugar, caster /superfine
granulated sugar
Sumac
loomi / black lemon
lemongrass
lemon zest
Summer Savory
thyme
T
Tahini
ground sesame seeds
Tamarind
asam gelugor
amchoor
lime juice / lemon juice
dried apricots and dates
chopped prunes and lemon juice
vinegar mixed with some sugar
Tarragon
anise (use less)
Mexican mint marigold
chervil (use more)
parsley (use more)
Thyme
marjoram
oregano
savory
bay leaf
Tomatoes, canned, 1 cup
1 1/3 cups chopped fresh tomatoes, simmered
Tomatoes, cooked, seasoned, 1 pound
8 ounces tomato sauce, for cooking
Tomato Juice, 1 cup
2 or 3 fresh, ripe tomatoes peeled, seeded, and blended in blender or food processor, add salt and lemon juice to taste
1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 cup tomato sauce, and reduce some other liquid from recipe
Tomato Puree
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste + 1/2 cup water
Turmeric /haldi
mustard powder, optional: add saffron
Turnips, for cooking
kohlrabi
rutabaga
Turnips, raw
jicama
radish
U
V
Vanilla powder
vanilla extract
vanilla essence
vanilla pod / seeds
vanilla sugar
Vanilla sugar
store 2 split vanilla pods in (1kg-2kg of granulated sugar)
Verbena /luisa
lemon grass
lemon zest
Vinegar
lemon juice, in cooking and salads
grapefruit juice, in salads
W
White Beans
pea beans
navy beans
Winter Squash
acorn squash
butternut squash
dumpling squash
gold nugget squash
kabocha squash
pumpkin
table queen squash
turban squash
Y
Yogurt, Plain
sour cream
creme fraiche
buttermilk
heavy cream
mayonnaise in small amounts, especially salads or dips
Z
Za'tar
Zaatar with sumac
My Own Za'atar without sumac
Zhoug
Zhoug
Zucchini /courgette
pattypan squash
yellow crookneck squash
yellow straightneck squash
Um Safia
fidem
afcotuna
