Substitutions Save the Day

It's happened to most of us -- we've started making a recipe only to find that we're missing or low on an ingredient. Well, the next time that happens, you'll be prepared with these helpers:

• Baking powder, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
   
• Broth (chicken or beef), 1 cup = 1 bouillon cube plus 1 cup water
   
• Buttermilk, 1 cup = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
   
• Chocolate, unsweetened, 1 square (1 ounce) = 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon shortening or vegetable cooking oil
   
• Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon = 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
   
• Corn syrup, light, 1 cup = 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water
   
• Cream or half-and-half, 1 cup = 1-1/2 tablespoons melted butter + enough whole milk to equal 1 cup OR 1/2 cup light cream + 1/2 cup whole milk
   
• Flour, all-purpose, 1 cup = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cake flour
   
• Flour, self-rising, 1 cup = 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt
   
• Garlic, 1 clove (1/2 teaspoon chopped) = 1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic OR 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
   
• Gravy = Similar flavor of ready-made soup
   
• Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon = 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
   
• Mayonnaise = Creamy salad dressing
   
• Milk, whole, 1 cup = 1 cup skim milk + 2 tablespoons butter OR 1/2 cup evaporated whole milk + 1/2 cup water
   
• Mustard, dry (in cooking), 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
   
• Sour cream, 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice + enough evaporated or plain milk to equal 1 cup

• Tomato juice, 1 cup = 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
   
• Vegetable oil (for cooking), 1 cup = 1/2 pound butter or margarine
   
• Vinegar, 1 tablespoon = 2 tablespoons lemon juice
   
• Wine, 1 cup = 1 cup apple juice or cider, chicken or beef broth

Now, if you don't have the exact ingredient called for in a recipe you're making, you'll be able to make a quick substitution that'll still have everybody saying... "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"