Smart & Healthy Cooking Substitutions
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Grandma's Recipes Get a Makeover
I am the lucky recipient of tons of wonderful recipes my grandma has collected her entire life. Some of these recipes came from my great-grandparents (and some of those were passed on from their parents), some were created and/or tweaked by my grandma throughout the years, while others were bribed and blackmailed out of grandma's friends and acquaintances.
Just as cooking equipment has evolved, so must our ingredients!
Most of these recipes were passed on to me on the premise that I wouldn't reveal them to anyone but my own children. You see, grandma is quite proprietory about her stash of tried and true recipes. When she and her friends used to throw dinner parties, they always attempted to outdo one another--this led to everyone guarding their recipes like they were gold (this is where the necessity of bribery and blackmail came in).
One thing grandma particularly enjoyed doing was generously passing on a recipe for a dish everyone loved, but leaving a key ingredient out. This way, the recipe only turned out right for grandma and she was hailed as a superiour cook (which, of course, she was).
While I cherish these recipes, and keep them well-guarded, I find that they aren't exactly healthy. With this in mind, I've put together my favorite subsitutions. I've tried these, and they work. Please feel free to let me know about any substitutions that have worked for you and I'll add them to the list!
When you are cooking...
Substitute creams to thicken soups with pureed veggies or potatoes
stick margarine → small amounts of olive oil or vegetable broth
white rice → brown rice, quinoa, or couscous
ground meat → chopped vegetables (& use less meat), crumbled tofu, beans
ground beef → ground turkey breast
oil based marinades → orange juice or flavored vinegar
mayonaise → mustard
cream → evaporated milk
whole milk → skim milk
sour cream → plain yogurt
When you are baking...
Substitute chocolate with cocoa powder
oil, butter, or margarine → apple sauce
two eggs → 1 egg and 1 egg white
one egg → 2 egg whites
sweetened condensed milk → nonfat sweetened condensed milk
evaporated milk → evaporated skim milk
sour cream → pureed lowfat cottage cheese
chocolate chips → mini chocolate chips, chopped dried fruit, or chopped nuts
frosting → light coating of powdered sugar
More Smart & Healthy Choices
Buying non-stick pans helps eliminate the need for oil and butter.
If you want to use sugar, instead of a substitute (I like honey), try using lesssoooo sweet. sugar--often, you will find a recipe tastes even better when it isn't
If you need to use oil or butter, use less. Often, recipes call for more than is needed. Also, try deglazing your pan with broth, water, or wine instead.
makes a world of difference!
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CommentsLoading...
Stacie, I thought you will reveal one recipe at least :), but I understand the secrecy, the food must have been excellent. But I will keep this as a bookmark, excellent tips. I also use ground turkey instead of ground beef, even though I like the latter the more. Thanks.
I will be revealing some recipes (with healthy substitutions, of course), so stay tuned.
Hooray for healthy cooking tips. I have a hub with more baking substitutions at:
What useful tips!Thanks
Great healthy cooking tips. I love it and became your fan! waiting for more!
mem ! I think you should insert interesting picture of cakes to attract attention to your blog
What useful tips. I will use it. Thanks
I like to substitute one oreo cookie for broccoli. lol. These are good cooking ideas though.
thanks, rated excellent:)
Nice hub article...
The list of substitutions will come in quite handy. Thanks.
wow really an wonderful hub i am really a fan of your hubs thanks
Thanks and i came to the right place to know about recipies and i can learn too!
Hey great hub ,cooking is one of my hobbies,
I understand the secrecy, the food must have been excellent. But I will keep this as a bookmark, excellent tips. I also use ground turkey instead of ground beef, even though I like the latter the more.
Great tips! I really wish I could learn to like brown rice. I know how good it is for you but I just can't do it.
Great recipe. Perhaps I should try my mum to look at it.
Some great ideas here. I also use maple syrup as a sugar substitute, use less sugar and use some maple syrup. I agree recipes often taste just as good without as much sugar in! Well done, great idea.
I understand the secrecy, the food must have been excellent. But I will keep this as a bookmark, excellent tips. I also use ground turkey instead of ground beef, wholesale iphone cases though I like the latter the more.
great useful tips. thanks
Wow!! I'm so hungry
Thank you for your sharing
before woman get married and rise a children they suppose to read this hub and make some trial
wow this hub smells delicious!
mmmm!!!
Very nice!
Great tips thanks! Really like the tip to thicken soups with pureed veg.
good
very nice!
Thank for hubs
I like the way you write, this was a nice read! :)
good tips,thanks
Thanks
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;
good article
Very interesting tips! I've printed it out and tucked it into the recipe book for future excursions. Great hub Stacie.
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Carol Bogart 4 years ago
Yum! What useful tips! Thanks, Stacie!