Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cheap Substitutes

Sometimes when I am cooking I am frustrated by the items required in the recipe because I don't have them in my own cupboard. Oftentimes this is because that particular item is overpriced or its a convenience item loaded with preservatives and I refuse to pay for it. Othertimes its just not a normal thing to have in our house, like lemon curd or maybe buttermilk. Here I plan to keep a running list of "Substitutes" or "clones" for common items required in your recipe books...


Evaporated Milk
Reconstitute dried milk with only 40% of the water required on the package.

Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup + 2 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup warm water
3/4 cup sugar
Heat on low heat until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool before adding to most recipes.

Buttermilk
1 TBS of vinegar or lemon juice
1 cup milk
Set aside for 5 minutes, stir, then use as buttermilk in the recipe.


Self Rising Flour Recipe
To each cup of flour add:
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and use right away.

Never Fail Pie Crust
3 cups flour
1 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
5 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon vinegar

Directions
Cut together flour, shortening and salt until it resembles small peas. Combine the egg, water and vinegar and gradually add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened and a soft dough forms. Divide into two equally-sized balls. Wrap individually and refrigerate until ready to use. Roll out and use with your favorite pie recipe!

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