pantryandlarder

  I personally taste-tested a variety of almond paste substitutes to find the best one for every occasion. Whether you’re on the hunt for the closest flavor match, in need of a last-minute pantry substitute, or want a swap that fits your diet, I’ve got the answers. Marzipan or homemade almond paste are the best substitutes for almond paste . If you use marzipan, you’ll need to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe. Persipan is another option, which is a paste made from apricot kernels.

When it comes to dinner, many people are searching for meals that are both satisfying and wholesome. Vegetarian dinners can offer the perfect balance—rich in nutrients, packed with flavor, and often lighter on the stomach compared to heavier meat-based options. Whether you’re fully vegetarian or simply looking to enjoy more plant-based meals during the week, here are some healthy vegetarian dinner ideas to inspire your next evening plate. 1. Lentil and Vegetable Stir-Fry Lentils are a protein powerhouse, and when combined with vibrant vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots, they create a hearty and colorful stir-fry. Add a splash of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for an extra flavor kick. Serve over brown rice or quinoa for a filling and nutritious dinner. 2. Stuffed Bell Peppers Stuffed peppers are as appealing to the eye as they are to the palate. Fill them with a mixture of quinoa, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. Top with shredded cheese or a sprinkle of nutritiona...

Hoisin sauce is a staple in many Asian dishes, adding a deep, sweet, and savory flavor that’s hard to replicate. But what happens if you’re cooking and realize you’ve run out—or maybe you’re avoiding certain ingredients like soy or gluten? Luckily, there are plenty of substitutes for hoisin sauce that can step in and still give your dish that rich, complex taste. 1. Soy Sauce + Peanut Butter + Honey This quick homemade blend is one of the closest flavor matches. The soy sauce provides saltiness, peanut butter adds thickness and nuttiness, while honey brings the sweetness. Add a splash of rice vinegar or garlic for extra depth. How to make it: 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1 teaspoon honey Optional: garlic powder or rice vinegar 2. Barbecue Sauce BBQ sauce has a similar sweet and tangy profile, making it a convenient substitute. It’s not identical in flavor but works well in marinades, glazes, and stir-fries. Choose a less smoky variety for a clo...

  If you’re staring at a soupy, watery bowl of refried beans, you need a solution – and fast! I have personally experimented with 9 different thickening techniques, to see what delivers the best consistency, without impacting the flavor. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best way to thicken refried beans is to cook them for longer. Heat the beans in a saucepan on a low heat, stirring frequently until your desired consistency is reached. Other methods for thickening refried beans include frying the beans, using a cornstarch slurry, and adding extra beans. A note on my experiment I cooked up a big (delicious) batch of refried beans making sure to add more water than recommended so they ended up a little soupy.

  I taste-tested a variety of fennel seed substitutes to find the best one for every cooking occasion. Whether you’re on the hunt for the closest flavor match, in need of a last-minute pantry substitute, or want a swap that fits your diet, I’ve got the answers. The best substitutes for fennel seeds are anise seeds or star anise because both have a similar licorice flavor. Both are more potent than fennel seeds, so you don’t need to use much. Caraway seeds and fresh tarragon also have a decently strong licorice flavor. The Experiment I made a few different batches of these fennel and pork meatballs to test out different fennel seed substitutes. They were super tasty by the way! Definitely recommend.

Hoisin sauce is a staple in many Asian-inspired dishes, known for its rich, savory-sweet flavor with a touch of tang. It’s commonly used in stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, and glazes. But what if you’re halfway through a recipe and realize you don’t have any hoisin sauce on hand? Don’t worry—there are plenty of substitutes for hoisin sauce that can bring similar flavors to your dish. 1. Soy Sauce and Peanut Butter A quick DIY option is mixing soy sauce with peanut butter . Soy sauce provides saltiness and umami, while peanut butter adds richness and a slightly sweet note. Add a touch of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, and you’ll have a surprisingly close match. Ratio: 2 tablespoons soy sauce + 1 tablespoon peanut butter + 1 teaspoon honey. 2. Soy Sauce and Molasses If you want a darker, sweeter profile, combine soy sauce with molasses . The molasses adds depth and thickness that resemble hoisin sauce’s consistency. Ratio: 2 tablespoons soy sauce + 1 tablespoon mol...

If you’re having a deviled-eggs-emergency, fear not, I’m here to save the day. I’ve experimented with several different thickening techniques to find out what works best at reviving your too-thin deviled egg mixture into something delicious and thick. The best way to thicken deviled eggs is with extra egg yolks. Mash up some extra egg yolks with a small amount of mayo and combine with your deviled egg mixture to thicken. Other options include adding instant mashed potatoes, xanthan gum, or breadcrumbs. Avoid using flour. How I tested thickening deviled eggs I whipped up a batch of deviled eggs but purposefully made the mixture too runny so I could test different methods of thickening it up.  

  A thick salad dressing clings to your salad leaves. Thin salad dressings drip off the leaves and pool at the bottom of the bowl. Yuk! The key to a thick salad dressing is emulsifying it correctly. Once you’ve got the emulsifying down, you can add extras to make it even thicker. In this article, I cover several different techniques for  emulsifying and thickening your vinaigrette or salad dressing . Ready? Let’s jump right in. Prepare the base correctly Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. This applies perfectly to salad dressings! Getting a thick and creamy vinaigrette starts with the way you make it.

  Ever had a craving for waffles, just to realize you’re out of milk? Or maybe dairy isn’t your thing, and you’re looking for a vegan substitute. Luckily for you, there are loads of alternatives to milk that you can use in waffles, ranging from plain water to condensed milk. For this post, I tried out 12 different ways to replace milk in waffle batter , and I take you through each one in detail. You can substitute most dairy products for milk in waffles. Cream, yogurt, and buttermilk will all work, but you might want to thin them out with a little water. For non-dairy substitutes, use club soda, plant-based milk, or orange juice. Regular water can work as a last resort. ( Spoiler: condensed milk was a real unexpected treat!) To skip straight to my , click the link!

  There’s nothing worse than reaching for your pack of gummy bears only to discover they’re as hard as rocks. To help anyone facing this exact situation, I’ve experimented with four different ways of softening gummy bears to find the fastest, easiest, and most effective ways. Ready? Let’s jump right in. A note on my experiment I tested softening my hard gummy bears: In the microwave Using bread By soaking them By sitting on them The microwave works fine for a short-term solution. Soaking them or using bread are great longer-term fixes but they may not get you soft gummy bears quickly enough. Sitting on them is a great on-the-go solution. Softening hard gummy bears in the microwave To soften gummy bears in the microwave, spread them out on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 5 seconds at a time until they’re soft. Eat them right away before they go hard again!

Eating a vegetarian dinner doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, variety, or satisfaction. In fact, plant-based meals can be some of the most colorful, nutrient-rich, and exciting dishes you’ll ever enjoy. Whether you’re a committed vegetarian or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine, these healthy dinner ideas will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen. 1. Chickpea and Spinach Curry A protein-packed curry made with chickpeas, fresh spinach, tomatoes, and aromatic spices is a hearty and comforting option. Serve it with brown rice or warm whole wheat flatbreads for a complete meal. Tip: Use coconut milk for a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness. 2. Grilled Vegetable Quinoa Salad Combine grilled zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and asparagus with fluffy quinoa. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs for a refreshing, nutrient-rich dinner. Tip: Add a sprinkle of feta or toasted nuts for extra flavor and texture. 3. Stuffed Sweet Pota...

  What’s the only thing more horrifying than finding out someone ate your cookies? Finding a hard and crumbly cookie instead of a soft, chewy one. In this article, I test four different ways to soften your stale cookies. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best way to soften cookies is in the microwave. Place your cookies on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave the cookies in 5-second intervals until they’re warm and soft. Eat the cookies while they’re hot, or your they will quickly become stale again. A note on my experiment I made a big batch of my favorite cookies (chocolate chip), then left them out overnight so they got hard. The next day, I tested four different methods to make them soft and chewy again. I tried to soften the cookies: Using bread  (Surprisingly effective) In the microwave  (most effective) Using plastic wrap  (good for overbaked cookies) Using milk or juice  (great for an instant snack) The microwa...

I personally taste-tested a variety of masa harina substitutes to find the best one for every occasion. Whether you’re on the hunt for the closest flavor match, in need of a last-minute pantry substitute, or want a swap that fits your diet, I’ve got the answers. The best substitute for masa harina is to find hominy (whole nixtamalized corn kernels) and grind them into a powder or paste yourself. You can also use cornmeal as long as you don’t expect authentic results. Crushed corn chips are great if you need an alternative thickener.  

  If you’re wondering what to serve with your ramen, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for ramen. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with ramen are soy sauce eggs, gyoza, egg fried rice, agedashi tofu, and seaweed salad. You can also try quick kimchi, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, chicken karaage, smashed cucumber salad, or fried enoki mushrooms. For a unique option, try cheesy garlic bread. Ready? Let’s jump right in. Great flavor pairings for ramen Ramen is a Japanese dish featuring wheat noodles in a rich, umami-loaded chicken or pork-based broth. Its flavor mainly depends on the broth type and the toppings used.

  If you’re wondering what to serve with your smoked trout, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for smoked trout. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with smoked trout are crostini, watercress salad, baked potatoes, and steamed asparagus. Other options are pea and mint soup, tagliatelle pasta with pesto, cabbage and fennel slaw, or green beans almondine. You can also stuff your smoked trout in chewy bagels. Ready? Lets jump right in.

  If you’re wondering what to serve with your tuna patties, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 33 of the most popular side dishes for tuna patties. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with tuna patties are coconut rice, roasted potatoes, spring couscous salad, and asparagus with hollandaise. You can also try fennel slaw, calabacitas, mac and cheese, or Caesar salad. To transform the patties into delicious sandwiches, try stuffing them in brioche buns. Ready? Let’s jump right in.

  In this article, I show you exactly how to freeze your leftover buttermilk and ensure that the defrosted product is (almost) as good as new. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best way to freeze buttermilk is in a freezer bag with any excess air removed. You can also freeze buttermilk in an ice cube tray for convenient portions. Buttermilk freezes for up to 3 months at best quality. Thawed buttermilk may appear grainy but this can be rectified by whisking or stirring. The experiment I froze several portions of buttermilk in various vessels, including an ice cube tray, an airtight container, and a freezer bag. The aim? To find the freezing method that causes the buttermilk to split the least, with the lowest amount of effort. The buttermilk was frozen, defrosted, and then put through a series of tests. These include: Blind taste tests Texture Appearance Fresh Frozen Thawed (unwhisked)