Lately, we’ve had to do some adapting – new ways of working, learning and spending quality time together. With all of this change, sometimes focusing on the simple pleasures helps. Mealtime is one part of the day that can be made special and full of possibilities. Whether it’s a special dinner or treating yourself to an elevated snack, you can get creative in the kitchen and explore new recipe ideas on your own or with your loved ones. Remember, it’s not about perfection- one of the most important skills to learn in the kitchen is one we’re familiar with, adapting.
Sometimes, you can put a lot of time into preparing a dish, but one ingredient is missing. There are plenty of ways to create delicious recipes, even if you don’t have exactly what you need by substituting them with other foods you have in the house.
Check out the list below for a few simple ingredient swaps for cooking and baking!
Snacking 101
Nothing beats a delicious dip as a snack. Switch out your go-to dip ingredients for one of these equally tasty substitutes.
A ‘Dairing’ Alternative
If you’re making a Ranch or Sour Cream and Onion dip and don’t have the sour cream, use Greek yogurt. Its creamy texture and tart taste are very similar, and it’s an easy way to boost your snack’s nutrients with some protein.
Restaurant Style Salsa
The beauty of salsa is its versatility and adaptability. You can swap out the vinegar for lime juice or the jalapeños for chipotle. Out of tomatoes? Try a tropical fruit like mangos or pineapple instead for a sweet and spicy kick.
Craving a cheesy snack?
If you’re in the mood for an afternoon pick-me-up like cheese and crackers, but don’t have any, why not combine the two? Try lesley stowe raincoast cheese crisps™, a delightful combination of aged cheddar and harissa in a perfectly crunchy crisp.
Beans > Chickpeas
Traditionally hummus is prepared with chickpeas, but cannellini beans are even more nutritious with more protein. The cannellini beans have a smooth and creamy texture, perfect for enjoying with chips and crisps. Try it with lesley stowe raincoast crisps® fig and olive to perfectly enhance the snacking experience.
Lunch and Dinners with Ease
Toppings on toppings
Who needs croutons to top a salad or soup? Replacing croutons with crisps will kick your meal up a notch. You can even mix multiple flavors if you’re feeling bold. Try options like; rosemary raisin pecan raincoast crisps® and oat and cranberry raincoast oat crisps™.
Breadcrumbs Hack
You can substitute regular breadcrumbs with tons of options. Consider rolled oats for a fibrous option, nuts for a crunchy coating or crushed crackers and crisps. Our lesley stowe raincoast oat crisps™ oat and seed can be ground up and used to add an extra burst of flavor to any lunch or dinner dish. We recommend herb-crusted salmon or crispy chicken cutlets.
Dessert Time!
Cakes, squares, and more!
The best part of a pie or square, hands-down, is the crust. Pretty much any crunchy thing that has a cookie-like texture can work as a crust for desserts. Our lesley stowe raincoast crisps® cranberry and hazelnut are a perfect substitute for pie or cake crust. There are various flavours that will be sure to complement any filling and ultimately elevate your dessert of choice.
So, the next time you’re in the kitchen experimenting, remember you have plenty of options, you just need to get creative and adapt!
