Ingredient Replacements, Both for "can't"s and "won't"s

[InterNutter]

I have a long history with allergies and "won't touch that"s. My Dad is the original Fuss Budget. Won't touch apricots, brassicas battle with his intestines, etc. And, from my mother's side, I'm allergic to some of the Esters in alcohol.

That's way too complicated to explain to the average restaurant, so I just tell them I'm allergic to alcohol. It's safer that way.

Plus, lately, I've developed a tendency to gain intestinal troubles after encountering deep-fried fish. And I *love* my fish and chips. Sigh.

Things I have discovered as moderately good replacements:

For baking, especially on meatloaf, a mixture of sweet mustard pickles and plum jam makes a decent replacement for apricot jam.
The juice from tinned plums tastes almost exactly like red wine.

Apparently, "collard greens" are a reasonable replacement for spinach. Except I have no *idea* what the hell "collard greens" are. I only ask because spinach and I have an agreement: I don't eat it, and it doesn't give me "the runs" for a week.

Tofu tastes vaguely nutty, to me. Maybe it's too subtle for the average palette, but it may make a reasonable replacement for nuts.

Any other discoveries to share?

[Meredith]

Collard greens are popular in the American south. It's a type of green, like mustard or dandelion or poke salat down here (yes, with a t). Kale makes a decent spinach sub, as do dandelion greens. Kale is typically easier to get though. Tofu *does* taste nutty, at least in some forms. The "silken" style, not so much, and it's better for blending anyway. The "spongey" kind I use to make fake chicken lol. Soy "nuts" can be subbed for most nuts if you just want flavor and crunch, as they're really beans and not nuts at all. Sometimes you can find them roasted or baked into crunchiness.

[InterNutter]

And now for the other big whine: "I can't find that in my area"

I suppose it's going to be natural that there'll be a "Where to find it" thread. Once [or if] this place ever gets rocking.

Though nobody in my house is allergic to nuts [yet!] I know lots of people are. Has anyone tried to make Soy-"nut"-butter?

Eventually, I hope to compile a complete list.

[Meredith]

I've bought soy "nut" butter before and it wasn't bad. It had added salt because soybeans are not flavorful on their own typically but you can buy it unsalted. Dried soybeans "act" like peanuts in a grinder so I understand it's not too too hard to make.

[kladyelf]

Just a thought from a fussy eater...

Nutty if you can't handle deep-fried fish, there are alternatives. I know, because i live in a town famous for its seafood ... and I hate fish. Calamari, prawns, scallops and crab will be devoured voraciously but whiting, flathead and other fishies? Yuck.
One thing around that was to crumb the fish, and (for me) slather it in orange sauce. You could just crumb it and buy the chips instead of buying fish & chips, or alternately ask to have it grilled by the shop.
Another alternative i thought would be nice with chicken that could go with fish is to bake it in aluminium-foil with garlic and cream sauce with lemon and asparagus. (IMG:style_emoticons/Nighty/nc-lick.gif)

A friend of mine uses "Nuttilex" and it tastes like margarine...

[Ishling]

I LOVE Nuttilex. It's got more flavour than margarine, too, and is really good on salad sandwiches. Plus, it doesn't set off my sisters' or my nickel allergies, which is always a plus since we can't have butter because of the lactose or margarine because of the nickel.

[InterNutter]

What *is* Nuttilex? We don't seem to have it here in sunny Australia (IMG:style_emoticons/Nighty/nc-frown.gif)

I've been using an olive oil blend margerine [mostly olive oil plus some harmless additives to make it more margerine-y] 'cause of the supposed heart benefits.

[Ishling]

We do! I live in Ballarat. We get it from Safeway/Woolworths. Don't worry, 'Nutter, it exists. I suppose you could bug your supermarket to get it in. They make four different varieties of it, and another good place to get it is Maxi Foods. Do you have one of those in your area?

[InterNutter]

Seems Coles and Woollies carry it. I jut have to look harder. Next time I sojurn to the the shops, I shall be searching.

[DuctapeDaredevil]

If the fish troubles are only from fried fish, it could be the oils. I won't eat most restaurant pastas because I can't stand even half a serving before I get ill. You could try diy fish with oils you know you're good with.