Juniper berries are the female seed cones of the juniper plants. The confer plant or Pinophyta has many species, and the most common edible one is Juniperus communis. [1] Juniper berries are primarily used as a spice. It is the only spice produced by conifer trees. However, if you run out of this spice in the middle of cooking, there are some juniper berry substitutes available in your kitchen that you can use. Juniper berries…
Leek is a vegetable that belongs to the Allium family. The genus also contains Chinese onion, chive, shallot, scallion, kurrat, and elephant garlic. These are all closely related vegetables with varying tastes, flavors, and fragrances. Their uses in food also differ. [1] [3] Leek has a long cylinder of green leaves bundled in a sheath with a dense white base at the bottom. The whitest bulb at the base is most commonly used in dishes.…
Anchovy is a small fish that belongs to the family Engraulidae. It comes with excellent nutritional properties such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. [1] They abound in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. They are usually green in color with a silver stripe. Anchovies are pretty popular when it comes to salad dressing. It adds a robust flavor to the seafood. You can find them in the super shop as a paste or fillet…
Coconut milk is a staple ingredient in most Asian kitchens, particularly Thai cuisine. This creamy, white Milk is extracted from the flesh of the ripe coconut. Coconut milk is mainly used as a base for some recipes, especially curries. However, it can transform any ordinary dish into a flavorful, creamy delight. However, if you fell short of this ingredient, there are some substitutes for coconut milk available in your pantry you can use. Besides, some…
You may sometimes want to exchange your favorite apple juice for some useful substitutes in your recipes. Though apple juice is a popular choice for numerous mouthwatering dishes like meat curry, grilled meat, sauce, fruit salads, ice cream, slush, etc. It is wise to have some substitutes available in your kitchen because you never know when you are going to need them. In this article, we are going to reveal some ingredients that work fine…
Why should you replace sunflower oil despite knowing that it is healthy? The answer could be- Sunflower oil contains the risk of aldehyde if heated for cooking [1]. Aldehyde is responsible for heart disease and lung cancer [2]. Sunflower oil may be much less flavored, but substitute oils are healthier and safer to heat for cooking. And their flavors don’t spoil the taste. Substitute edible oils can make you fry or bake foods that sunflower…
Cholesterol-filled oil is not the only option for creating a delicious batch of chocolatey brownies. There are many other healthier options to substitute for oil in brownies. People with a sweet tooth love the chocolaty, delicious, homemade brownie. Brownie, the mix of cookies and cake, is one of the most favorite desserts the whole family can enjoy. But oil can be a problem. Some people are not allowed to have saturated fatty acids. Saturated fats…
Epazote or Chenopodium ambrosioides is one of the important Latin American herbs. The leafy medicinal plant belongs to the Amaranthaceae species, amaranth, spinach, beets, and quinoa. [1] Epazote is a flavorful and aromatic spice in many Latin American dishes. But excessive consumption of the herb may lead to serious side effects. However, you don’t need to worry as some closest epazote substitutes can be used in your cooking. Epazote herb plant grows up to 4…
Dried rosemary is one of the most common spices used in dishes like roasted chicken, stews, soups, and many more. It can turn a simple, regular-tasting dish into an extra-ordinarily delightful delicacy. Rosemary removes the blandness of recipes that have white meat and makes it even better. This perennial woody evergreen herb has its origins in the Mediterranean and now found its way into kitchens all over the world. The warm and bitter taste of…
Thai basil is a native herb to South-Asian countries and is now popular worldwide for various regional cuisines. Among 30 to 40 variations, Thai basil is considered the most popular in culinary tradition due to its exceptional condiment qualities. This is the reason for Thai basil substitutions to be found in very few numbers. Still, these few substitutes can save you during the unavailability of such prized ingredients if needed for some mouthwatering dishes. You…
Almond butter is an excellent source of healthy fat, fibers, and nutrients. [1] It also tastes great when mixed with different sorts of food items. But still, some people don’t get to avail the excellent taste and nutrients of almond butter due to allergic reactions. Several suitable substitutes are available for almond butter out there. These substitutes for almond butter are equally tasty and healthy. Let’s have a look at the healthy almond butter substitutes!…
You may have heard about some delicious substitutes for pancetta if you ever tried to create an Italian dish. Pancetta is Italian salted meat that lends a unique taste to sauce, soups, and stuffed dishes. Cut from the pork belly, it is flavored with pepper and other culinary seasonings and then dried by curing. You can find pancetta as cubes or as paper-thin slices in the grocery stores. Once cured, you can use them in…
If you’re looking for some good substitutes for poppy seeds you may have several options such as chia seeds, sesame seeds, nigella seeds, hemp seeds, etc. Poppy seeds are mentioned in 1550 BC’s Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text. These tiny kidney-shaped seeds originate from dried opium poppies (Papaver somniferum). It’s the same poppy that is the key ingredient in making opium. But the seed has no such effects as the dangerous drug. It…
Escarole is broad-leafed endive that belongs to the genus Cichorium. Also known as Batavian endive, it has broad, curly green leaves with a mildly bitter taste. Escarole is widely used in pasta and soups because of its sturdiness and mellow taste. It contains vitamin A, C, K, fiber, and antioxidants that make it a healthy ingredient to use in cooking. However, if you ever fall short of this amazing ingredient, there are some substitutes for…
Grapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes, which are the byproducts of the winemaking process. Although it is used as a natural beauty product, it can be a great cooking oil as well. Grapeseed oil is quite healthy and contains a significant amount of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin C and E, and some potent antioxidants. Due to its high smoke point, grapeseed oil is ideal for cooking in high heat. However, if you…
Rice vinegar is a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine. It is a type of vinegar made from fermented rice. There are three types of rice vinegar — white, red, and black rice vinegar. Of them, white rice vinegar has the strongest flavor. It gives the dish an intense tart flavor with a whiff of sweetness at the same time. Many Asian dishes such as sushi rice, pickled vegetables, and salad dressing require rice vinegar. Rice…
Milk is one of the healthiest foods in our diet. No cuisine in the world is complete without milk recipes. Powdered milk has a very long shelf life. It doesn’t have moisture content. You do not have to store it in the refrigerator. Powder milk has easy maintenance, availability, and use. [1] Equally, powder milk has replacements that can be as much helpful and healthy. You can try vegan or non-vegan replacements for powder milk.…
