Hi reader,
I've mentioned before that I collect meal plans as inspiration for making my own meal plans, but a lot of the time I'll come across recipes that I can't make because I don't have any of the ingredients!
Sure, I COULD go to the store and pick up what I need, but that kind of defeats the purpose of using what I already have to save money, right?
So then, what do you do?
Well, I have a few guidelines that I like to follow.
First, if I don't have 50% or more of the ingredients needed to make the recipe, I skip it.
I'll certainly make a note in my "recipes to try" list, but I won't make it this week.
Second, if I'm missing ONLY the main ingredient (ex: chicken in chicken caesar salad or kale in a kale salad), I try to substitute with what I already have.
I might use pork or beef instead of chicken, spinach or romaine instead of kale.
Third, if I'm missing ONLY a 'side show' item, like one of the vegetables in a soup, I either omit the ingredient and/or add extra of another ingredient.
Very rarely has this ever had a huge impact in the final dish (although, use common sense so you're not using a lot of something that was intended to be used sparingly!).
Fourth, if I'm missing 3+ items, I proceed with caution. At this point, the recipe isn't the same anymore and I could be really messing with the flavors.
It all depends on the recipe of course, since you can swap out all the beans you want in chili and it won't make a difference, but there are only so many substitutions you can make in my slow cooker pot roast before it's no longer a pot roast, LOL!!
What about you reader - how do you make a recipe work with what you already have on hand? Hit "reply" and share your secrets with me!
Blessings,
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