I found this on the Foodaholics page. Kishi Arora gives useful tips on what to substitute less commonly found ingredients with. Thought it might come in handy for all you baking aficionados. Don't forget to send me a batch when this comes in handy!
"
7/8 cup all-purpose flour plus 2 tbsp cornstarch (sift it 3-4 times) = 1 cup cake flour
1 cup corn syrup can be replaced by 1 cup honey or sugar syrup made with 1 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water #baking
1 tsp cream of tartar generally used for stabilizing meringues can be substituted with 3 tsp lemon juice/vinegar #baking
You can always substitute potato flour with corn flour #baking
2 cups almond paste+1 cup powdered sugar+2 tbsp corn syrup put in a blender and make your own #marzipan #baking
Make yr own #brownsugar at home: take a regular cup of sugar & add 1 tbsp molasses ( sheera), mix let it sit 4 an 1 hr and a dry place
Mix 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup milk, let stand 5-10 minutes, mix well - you have your own homemade #BUTTERMILK
Add some mustard powder to cheddar cheese to make it Sharp cheddar #easypeasy#baking
In India we don't get half and half CREAM: take 3/4 cup whole milk plus +1/4 cup heavy cream+ 1 tsp butter #baking
Simple ways to make Crème fraiche at home: 1/2 C sour cream + 1/2 C heavy cream (use can use amul) #baking
A lot of recipes call 4 evaporated milk: Whip 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder (nestle), 1 3/4 c Luke warm water, refrigerate & use #baking
When I am using sour cream for cakes and I run out of the same I use a cup of whole milk yogurt and add a tsp of baking soda! #baking
3 tbsp cider vinegar+1 tbsp red wine= homemade simple red wine vinegar! (Don’t have 2 spend crazy $$ 4 1 salad recipe) thx me l8r! :)
Love making pasta & the recipe says add capers - don’t worry U can always substitute w/ green chopped olives! In sauce they - almost taste same
If recipes says chives you can always use the green part of the green onions
Chopped dates/raisins/ currants can be all interchanged in recipes! #baking
Boil 1/2 cup brown sugar + 1 1/2 cup water + 2 1/2 tsp cornstarch to make your own pancake syrup though I recommend honey/maple syrup #baking
replace bread crumbs with uncooked oats in recipes - crunchy and healthier "
*As mentioned above this is not part of my ingenious thinking. All credit goes to Kishi Arora from Foodaholics *