It is so frustrating when you are in the middle of cooking then you find out that you are missing an ingredient. In some cases, it is unresolvable and you have to move and get to the store or knock on a stranger’s or a neighbor’s door begging for some salt or 1 onion. I am trying to build a library of what to do when you are missing an ingredient and how to build a pantry that is hard to miss a substitution when you do miss an ingredient. Egyptian recipes usually include certain set of spices like cumin, garlic, ground cilantro and 7 spices. So, try to keep those 4 ingredients around if you like Egyptian food.
Missing Spices
| Missing Spice | Substitute With |
|---|---|
| All Spices | Cinnamon+nutmeg+cloves |
| Cinnamon | nutmeg and all spices |
| Chili seasoning | chili powder+paprika |
| Cloves | allspice + cinnamon + nutmeg |
| Cumin | Chili powder |
| Garlic powder | Fresh garlic and vice versa |
| Italian Seasoning | basil+oregano+thyme |
| Lemon salt | lime juice+salt |
| Onion powder | 1 small onion |
| Pumpkin spice | cinnamon+nutmeg+allspice+ginger |
| Salt | soy sauce where applicable (things with sauces) |
| Saffron | Tumeric |
| Shawarma spices | cinnamon+all spices+paprika+nutmeg |
Missing Baking Ingredient
| Missing Baking Ingredient | Substitute With |
|---|---|
| Brown sugar | 1 cup BS = 1 cup white sugar and 1 tablespoon molases |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon BS= 1/4 teaspoon baking soda+1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar |
| Vanilla extract or powder | orange rind with cinnamon |
| Fine sugar | Regular sugar blended in the blender |
| White sugar | brown sugar or double the powder sugar |
| Sour cream | Greek Yogurt |
| Milk | any non greek yogurt |
| Breadcrumbs | Toss any old toast or buns in the food processor |
| marinara sauce or pizza sauce | ketchup+garlic powder+salt |
