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Every so often, the precise herb that is called for in a recipe may not be available. Here is some information on finding an acceptable substitute.
Don’t be afraid to substitute one ingredient for another. If the chef doesn't care for the flavor of a particular herb called for in a recipe, either leave out that herb, or substitute one that is enjoyed. Lemon HerbsMost of the lemon herbs called for in recipes can be substituted for one another. If the he exact herb that is called for isn't available, try one of the other lemon scented herbs such as lemon balm, lemon basil, lemon thyme or lemon verbena. Lemon grass is a rather tough herb which is generally used to flavor the cooking liquid then removed prior to serving. Do not substitute lemon grass for any of the other lemon herbs. Basil SubstitutesIf a recipe calls for cinnamon basil and none is available, substitute the same amount of sweet basil plus 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. If a recipe calls for lemon basil, substitute the same amount of sweet basil plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest. Winter and Summer SavoryWinter savory can be substituted for summer savory in most recipes with a little care. Summer savory is a soft stemmed annual herb whereas winter savory is a woody perennial herb. Winter savory has rather tough leaves and is best added as a small bundle of stems to the recipe, which is removed prior to serving. Summer savories soft leaves can be finely chopped and mixed directly into the recipe. Other Herbal Substitutes
Fresh Herbs or Dried HerbsSubstitute one tablespoon of fresh herb for every teaspoon of dried herb that is called for in a recipe. However, when using fresh herbs, they should be added towards the end of the cooking process so that they don’t overcook and loose their flavor. Dried herbs are normally added at the beginning of the cooking process as they will survive longer cooking times and higher temperatures without loosing flavor. ResourcesSee the article Substitutions for common food substitutions. The article How to Dry Fresh Herbs contains information on how to dry fresh herbs for long term storage. Where to Buy Fresh Herbs gives you a variety of options for obtaining fresh herbs.
The copyright of the article Common Herbal Substitutes in Herbs is owned by Lynn Smythe. Permission to republish Common Herbal Substitutes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Feb 24, 2009 10:05 PM
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