Honey can you pick it up for me on the way home?

One dollar to the first person to figure out what I ran out of while cooking.

Alcohol
Keep the volume of alcohol the same. Depending on the recipe, apple juice or chicken broth often makes a good substitution for wine. When using flavored liqueurs, extracts can be substituted if you make up the balance of the liquid with water. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 tbs. rum you could use 1/2 teaspoon rum extract.

Allspice, Ground
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves plus 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg can be substituted for 1 teaspoon ground allspice.

Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar can be substituted for 1 teaspoon baking powder.

Butter
Shortening can be used, for every ½ cup of shortening used add 1 tbs of water. Unsalted butter can be substituted for regular butter in any recipe. It is NOT necessary to add salt. Whipped butter may be used as a substitute, based on weight, not volume. Stick margarine made from vegetable oil can also be substituted for butter.

Buttermilk
1 tablespoon vinegar plus enough milk to equal 1 cup OR 2/3 cup plain yogurt plus 1/3 cup milk can be substituted for 1 cup buttermilk.

Chervil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes plus 1/8 teaspoon rubbed, dried sage can be substituted for 1 teaspoon chervil.

Chicken or Beef Broth
1 cup hot water and 1 teaspoon instant bouillon granules (or 1 bouillon cube) can be substituted for 1 cup broth.

Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped, can be substituted for 1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips. When substituting for chocolate chips, make sure to use the same type of chocolate (i.e. semi-sweet, milk).

Chocolate, Semi-Sweet
3 tablespoons chocolate chips OR 1 square (1-ounce) unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar can be substituted for 1 square (1-ounce) semi-sweet chocolate. 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 7 tablespoons sugar plus 1/4 cup butter, margarine or shortening can be substituted for 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate. Bittersweet chocolate can be substituted for semisweet chocolate.

Chocolate, Sweet Baking
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons butter, margarine or shorteningcan be substituted for 4 ounces German's sweet baking chocolate.

Chocolate, Unsweetened
1 2/3 ounce semisweet chocolate (reduce sugar in recipe by 2 teaspoons) OR 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter, margarine or shortening can be used instead of 1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate.

Cinnamon, Ground
1/2 teaspoon ground all spice or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom can be substituted for 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Cocoa, Unsweetened
Dutch-processed cocoa may be substituted for unsweetened cocoa.

Coffee
1/2 cup hot water and 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules can be substituted for 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee.

Cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch can be substituted for 1 tablespoon cornstarch.

Corn Syrup, Light
1 cup dark corn syrup can be substituted for 1 cup light corn syrup or substitute 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/3 cup liquid.

Cream, Light
3 tablespoon butter plus 7/8 cup milk can be substituted for 1 cup cream (in baking and cooking).

Cream, Heavy or Whipping Cream
1/3 cup butter plus 3/4 cup milk can be substituted for 1 cup cream (in baking and cooking).

Cream of Tartar
1 ½ lemon juice or vinegar can be substituted.

Eggs
2 egg whites can be substituted for 1 whole egg. 1/4 cup refrigerated egg substitute can be substituted for one egg.

Egg Whites
Meringue powder can be substituted for egg whites in a meringue application only. Three egg whites equal approximately 3 tablespoons meringue powder plus 6 tablespoons water. Powdered egg whites may be substituted in most recipes requiring egg whites. Follow directions on powdered egg whites container.p>

Flour, All-purpose
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour can be substituted for 1 cup all-purpose flour. 20% of all-purpose flour can be substituted with another grain, such as rye, buckwheat or soy flour in recipes such as quick breads and pancakes

Flour (as thickener)
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, potato starch, rice starch, arrowroot starch, or 1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca can be substituted for 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour.

Flour, Cake
1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour can be substituted for 1 cup cake flour.

Flour, Self-Rising
1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt can be substituted for 1 cup self-rising flour.

Garlic
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon instant minced garlic or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder can be substituted for 1 clove minced garlic.

Ginger, ground
1/2 teaspoon ground mace plus 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel can be substituted for 1 teaspoon ground ginger.

Herbs
1 tablespoon fresh herbs equals 1 teaspoon dried herbs.

Honey
1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/3 cup liquid (use whatever liquid is called for in the recipe) can be substituted for 1 cup honey.

Italian Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon EACH dried oregano leaves, dried marjoram leaves and dried basil leaves plus 1/8 teaspoon rubbed dried sage can be substituted for 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.

Milk, Sweetened Condensed
1 cup instant nonfat dry milk plus 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup boiling water and 3 tablespoons melted butter can be substituted for 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.

Milk, Whole
1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water OR 1 cup water plus 1/3 cup nonfat evaporated dry milk powder OR 1 cup skim milk plus 2 teaspoons melted butter can be substituted for 1 cup whole milk.

Molasses
1 cup honey can be substituted for 1 cup molasses. 1 cup light molasses can be substituted for 1 cup dark molasses.

Mustard, Dry
1 tablespoon prepared mustard can be substituted for 1 teaspoon dry mustard.

Mustard, Prepared
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard plus 2 teaspoons vinegar can be substituted for 1 tablespoon prepared mustard.

Nutmeg, Ground
1 teaspoon ground allspice or 1 teaspoon ground cloves or 1 teaspoon ground mace can be substituted for 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Oats
Old fashioned rolled oats and quick cooking oats can be used interchangeably in baking recipes.

Oil
1 cup melted butter, margarine or shortening can be substituted for 1 cup oil. Note: Recipe results may vary. Texture and appearance may be affected.

Onion
1/4 cup instant minced onion, flaked onion OR 1 teaspoon onion powder can be substituted for 1 cup (1 medium) chopped onion.

Poultry Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme plus 3/4 teaspoon ground sage can be substituted for 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning.

Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/8 teaspoon EACH ground nutmeg and ground cloves can be substituted for 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Raisins
Substitute another chopped dried fruit for raisins. Golden raisins, dark raisins and currants can be used interchangeably in baking recipes.

Salt
Kosher salt, iodized salt, sea salt, or a non-sodium containing salt substitute may be used for table salt in baking.

Shortening
1 cup butter or margarine can be substituted for 1 cup shortening. When using shortening in place of butter or margarine, 1 tablespoon milk or water for each 1/2 cup shortening used may need to be added. DO NOT substitute vegetable oil for shortening when recipe calls for melting the shortening.

Sour Cream
1 cup plain yogurt can be substituted for 1 cup sour cream.

Sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar can be substituted for 1 cup sugar. 3/4 cup honey (reduce liquid in recipe by 1/4 cup) can be substituted for 1 cup granulated sugar. 1/2 cup corn syrup or molasses (reduce liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup) can be substituted for 1 cup granulated sugar. 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/8 teaspoon cornstarch processed in a food processor fitted with a metal blade can be substituted for powdered sugar.

Sugar, Light Brown
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar can be substituted for 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar. 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons molasses can be substituted for 1 cup light brown sugar.

Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste plus 1/2 cup water can be substituted for 1 cup tomato sauce.

Vanilla Extract
Imitation vanilla flavoring can be substituted for vanilla extract. Other flavorings, such as almond, peppermint, rum or lemon may be substituted for vanilla extract .

Wine
1/2 cup fruit juice can be substituted for 1/2 cup wine in desserts. 1/2 cup chicken broth can be substituted for 1/2 cup wine in savory recipes.

Bargin Mecca (Went to Costco today)

I've loved the store before it became Costco. My affection began with Price Club and just got stronger when it turned into Costco. I can spend an afternoon just browsing the aisles. But I don't buy perishables at Costco because it would spoil before we could eat it all. Also, I can usually get produce cheaper at the farmers market. I buy bulk dairy, meats and canned goods. My strategy is simple if it's a staple item with a long shelf live packaged in manageable portions I'll buy it at Costco. I try only to buy staples at Costco because if we have a box of snickers in the house we'll eat the box. My main food staples from the warehouse store are

Dog Food
Cat Food
5 lbs block of Chedder
Milk
Beef
Pork
Chicken Breasts
Fish Fillets
Sausages
Baked Beans
Refried Beans
Tomatoes, Diced
Chicken Stock
Onions
Baking Supplies

Most of the fresh and frozen items I buy have to be repackaged for storage but taking an extra 30 minutes and repackaging is easy. Besides, if you include the time to repackage the items; I'm still ahead of the game by not going to the store weekly and I always have food that stores well on hand. To prepare for storage I use my second favorite kitchen tool my food sucker it works well with most things I freeze. I'm not sure how I can use the bulk buying power of Costco with the 100 mile diet but right now I've found most of the meat is local to Colorado at least. We're trying to decide if the salmon is something we can do without.

Sushi Sweet Sushi

We recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Fort Collins, Colorado. While Money Magazine rated Fort Collins as the best small city to live [link] in I'm afraid to say they did not consider restaurants in there ratings. It's taken us a few months to figure out the local restaurant scene and I've yet to find a decent sushi restaurant in town. Denver has a few good sushi bars so I can get a fix however it's an hour away. Which brings me to the point of this post. I have not been able to get a good recommendation for sushi since we moved here. Most peoples response when I ask is they don't like sushi. When I ask if they tried sushi most say no or that they went once but did not know how to order and did not like what was served. This madness has to end with a little instruction it's my belief most people would love the stuff since sushi can be sweet, savory, or anywhere in between. To that end check out the SushiFAQ and explore the tasty bite sized morsels of goodness.

Where's the beef?

Remember that little old lady that was given the bait and switch, Wendy's made it all better. I try to stay away from prepackaged ground meats. If I want ground meat I'll ask the butcher at the local grocery store to grind a chuck roast or brisket for me. I figure that way it only comes from one animal and is less processed. It turns out to be about the same price and tastes just as good.

Remember with meat the more load the muscle carries while alive the more fibrous it will be when you eat it. When cooking meat that is fibrous slow moist cooking will knock the fight right out of.

No time to cook

It's spawn's birthday soon, he's gonna be three. Me and the wife have been trying to get the house birthday party ready while fighting a stomach bug. With all the goings on I've not had time to cook much of anything this weekend. I think to prevent this from happening in the future I'm going to freeze some emergency meals to make it easier to just to eat a homemade meal.

When time is tight breakfast is easy:

whole wheat toast with cream cheese and a bit of jelly
fruit (usually banana)
tomato juice, low sodium

The boy loves it and I can have breakfast made and done in 10 minutes. It's dinners that usually throw off my good intentions of cooking.

How do you make time for cookings when busy?