It’s happened to every cook. You get halfway through a recipe and realize you don’t have one (or more) of the necessary ingredients. Now the professionals say that we should always read through the ingredients list before we start, but that little tip won’t do you any good when you’re up to your elbows in batter and realize you used up the last of the cinnamon last week.  Don’t despair! While there are several ingredients that are absolutely crucial and irreplaceable, many can be substituted with a similar ingredient. Your  supper may not come out exactly the way you anticipated but at least you’re not wasting time and money throwing away an (almost) perfect meal.

Just as we’re supposed to look through our ingredients list and cupboards to ensure we have all the ingredients, so too should we be sure that we have all the instruments and utensils we need, but again in the real world it may take that last ingredient of ¼ cup of raisins to realize your ¼ cup measuring cup has disappeared. Well don’t despair, instead use four tablespoons and you’re all set, recipe saved.