Herb Substitutions

BasilOregano or thyme
ChervilTarragon or parsley
ChiveGreen onion; onion; or leek
CilantroParsley
Italian SeasoningBlend of any of these: basil, oregano, rosemary, and ground red pepper
MarjoramBasil; thyme; or savory
MintBasil; marjoram; or rosemary
OreganoThyme or basil
ParsleyChervil or cilantro
Poultry SeasoningSage plus a blend of any of these: thyme, marjoram, savory, black pepper, and rosemary
Red PepperDash bottled hot pepper sauce or black pepper
RosemaryThyme; tarragon; or savory
SagePoultry seasoning; savory; marjoram; or rosemary
SavoryThyme; marjoram; or sage
TarragonChervil; dash fennel seed; or dash aniseed
ThymeBasil; marjoram; oregano; or savory

Spice Substitutions

AllspiceCinnamon; cassia; dash of nutmeg or mace; or dash of cloves
AniseedFennel seed or a few drops anise extract
CardamomGinger
Chili PowderDash bottled hot pepper sauce plus a combination of oregano and cumin
CinnamonNutmeg or allspice (use only 1/4 of the amount)
ClovesAllspice; cinnamon; or nutmeg
CuminChili powder
GingerAllspice; cinnamon; mace; or nutmeg
MaceAllspice; cinnamon; ginger; or nutmeg
NutmegCinnamon; ginger; or mace
SaffronDash turmeric (for color)

Common Substitutions

1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chicken or beef broth1 bouillon cube or 1 envelope or 1 teaspoon instant bouillon plus 1 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken. Or use 1 cup plain yogurt
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon butter, margarine, or oil
6 ounces semisweet chocolate1 cup chocolate chips, or 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 7 tablespoons sugar and 4 tablespoons butter, margarine, or oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch2 tablespoons flour or 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 tablespoon fish sauce2 teaspoons soy sauce plus 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 cup cake flour1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup self-rising flour1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt
1 cup whole milk1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water
PancettaUse sliced smoked bacon simmered in water for 3 minutes, then rinsed and drained
ProsciuttoUse ham, preferably Westphalian or a country ham, such as Smithfield
1 cup sour cream1 cup plain yogurt (in unheated recipe). To prevent yogurt from curdling in a cooked recipe, you will have to stabilize it with 1 egg white or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or flour dissolved in a little cold water for every quart of yogurt
YogurtButtermilk
1 package active dry yeast1/2-ounce yeast cake or 1 package quick-rise yeast (allow half the rising time for quick rise)
Pine nutsWalnuts or almonds
1 cup light brown sugar1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon molasses or 1 cup dark brown sugar
15-ounce can tomato sauce6-ounce can tomato paste plus 1 1/2 cans water
Vanilla extractBrandy or an appropriately flavored liqueur
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