Substitute Ingredients for some hard to find ingredients

Substitute Ingredients for some hard to find ingredients

My fiancé and I like to try out recipes from exotic cultures from all around the world. As a consequence we often run into ingredients that aren’t readily available from the shops close by.

So we compiled a list of some of the harder to find ingredients and what you can use as a substitute if you can find them.

 

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is often used in Indian dishes. Recipes might call for either Fenugreek seeds or Fenugreek leaves.

You can substitute Fenugreek seeds with mustard seeds or fennel seed.

A tablespoon of Fenugreek leaves can be substituted with fresh chopped celery leaves or chopped watercress leaves.

Some chefs says that fenugreek, if not available, can be left out altogether.

 

Kashmiri

Kashmiri chili powder is a medium / mildly hot with a lot of flavour. It is also used to colour dishes. It has a taste that is a lot like paprika but is a bit hotter.

It is recommended you use paprika and cayenne pepper as a substitute for Kashmiri. Paprika will add the colour while cayenne will add some heat.

 

Asafoetida / Asafetida

Asafoetida is a spice typical found in Indian cuisine. It functions as a flavor enhancer and is used in condiments, pickles and curries. It has a strong onion-garlic flavour.

To substitute Asafoetida, use garlic powder or onion powder.

 

Potato flour

Potato flour is used in gluten-free baking. Potato flour has the ability to absorb a lot of liquid and therefor make a good thickener of soups, stews, etc.

Potato flour can be replaced by using an equal amount of bread flour or AP flour.

 

5 spice

Often used in Chinese dishes, 5 spice usually consists of a mixture of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds.

You can make your own 5 spice by mixing  

·        2 teaspoons of Szechuan peppercorns (which naturally leads to the Szechuan peppercorn substitute)

·        8 ground star anise

·        Half teaspoon of ground cloves

·        1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon

·        1 tablespoon of ground fennel seeds

 

Szechuan peppercorn

Found in Asian Cuisine, Szechuan pepper is not as hot as chillies with a slight lemon taste.

If you can’t find Szechuan peppercorn, use freshly ground black peppercorns.

 

All spice

Also known as Jamaican Pepper is often used in Caribbean cuisine.

All spice can be substituted with cloves.

 

Bok Choy

Also known as Chinese Cabbage, Bok Choy is found in soups, stir fries, appetizers and main dishes.

Substitute Bok Choy with normal cabbage or spinach.

 

Cilantro

Every now and again, I run into a recipe calling for cilantro. Cilantro is just another name for coriander.

 

Sake wine

Sake wine is a Japanese wine made from rice.

Sake can be substituted with white wine or Shaoxing wine.

What is a substitute for Shaoxing wine? Fuck knows. It is getting late and this article is getting too long now.