Substituting Ingredients in the Kitchen

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We’ve all been there, in the middle of cooking dinner, you’ve found that you are missing a key ingredient. What do you do? You substitute the ingredient. Easier said than done unless you have a super-dandy book like Substituting Ingredients, 4E: The A to Z Kitchen Reference. This reference guide is great for looking up ingredients that you simply don’t have or even substituting an ingredient you don’t like. You can also substitute ingredients if the recipe calls for something you can’t afford. I never, ever thought of that before.

So, the week that I received this book was perfect. I was baking cookies that required baking soda. Unfortunately, I had thrown mine out. I had cleaned out all of may spices and baking items that were expired the previous week. Argh! So, I went across the street to my neighbor’s house. She let me borrow an unopened can of baking powder. Yes! Except that it was dated 1988!!!!! Needless to say, it was no longer active, I know because I checked. If Baking Powder doesn’t bubble in hot water then it isn’t active. 23 year old baking powder was way too expired. Then I remembered, I had the Substituting Ingredients book in my office.

The book is easy to navigate, in alphabetical order. I found Baking Powder and 4 different ways to substitute! Who knew there were so many options?! I went with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.  My recipe was saved and I didn’t have to run out to the store to buy baking soda!! So, needless to say, I love this book and have referenced it many times already.

Besides ingredients to substitute, this book details how to fix a kitchen disaster when you added too much or too little to a recipe (I’ve been there too!) as well as some great household formulas for things like drain freshener, carpet deodorizer, floor cleaner, hard water deposit remover, and even stain removers of all kinds. Every household NEEDS his reference guide to save time, money, and 1/2 made recipes!

Win Substituting Ingredients (Closed)

Sourcebooks is giving 3 lucky winners the chance to win your own Substituting Ingredients Book.

Updated: 2-3-11 Winners announced: Nancy, Tarah, and Cassie

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 1, 2011 when a winner will be drawn at random and announced the next day. When commenting, please include your email address (not visible to public). I will notify the winners and they will have 36 hours to respond!

This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to who provided the products for review & giveaway.

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Cindy

Founder and Lead Blogger at Akron Ohio Moms

Cindy is the top Akron Blogger with her own take on awesome brands for families, where to vacation for families, a beat on local activities and family fun, a knack for getting moms to share , and a house that is always 2 weeks away from a complete remodel!