I hate it when I am ready to cook something then discover I am missing an ingredient. So glad there are clever people out there who have figured out a few substitutions. Beware of substitutions though. I made the chili powder for my chili once and it turned out really spicy. Some substitutes you cannot even tell a difference but others will alter the taste and texture. It is of course always best to use the real deal.

Allspice: 1 tsp ground allspice = approximately 5 whole berries.

Allspice: 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground cloves + 1/4 tsp nutmeg = 1 teaspoon.

Anise Seed: 3-4 Anise Stars = 1/2 teaspoon.

Apple Pie Spice: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/8 tsp cardamom = 1 teaspoon.

Arrowroot: 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour = 2 teaspoons.

Baking Powder: 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar = 1 tsp.

Baking Soda: 2 tsp double-acting baking powder + replace acidic liquid ingredient in recipe with non-acidic liquid = 1 teaspoon.

Balsamic Vinegar: Equal amount of sherry or cider vinegar.

Bread Crumbs:  3/4 cup cracker crumbs = 1 cup.

Brown Sugar: 1 tbsp light molasses + enough sugar to fill 1 dry measure cup or 1 cup raw sugar = 1 cup.

Butter: salted- 1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter + 1/4 tsp salt OR 1 cup margarine OR 7/8 cup lard OR vegetable shortening.

Buttermilk: Place 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Fill to 1 cup with room temp whole or 2% milk and let stand for 5 minutes OR 1 cup milk + 3/4 tsp cream of tartar OR 1 cup plain yogurt.

Chili Powder: 1 tsp paprika + 2 tsp ground cumin + 1 tsp cayenne pepper + 1 tsp oregano + 2 tsp garlic powder.

Chocolate: Bittersweet or Semi-Sweet (1 oz.)  = 1/2 oz. Unsweetened chocolate + 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar.

Cocoa Powder: 3 Tbsp. Dutch-processed = 1 oz. Unsweetened chocolate + 1/8 tsp. baking soda + reduce fat in recipe by 1 tbsp OR 3 tbsp natural cocoa powder + 1/8 tsp. baking soda.

Corn Starch: (as a thickener) Equal amount of Minute Tapioca for cornstarch, use slightly less for flour or Arrowroot.

Cream of Tartar: 1/2 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice = 1/2 teaspoon.

Egg: 1 large egg =  3-1/2 tbsp thawed frozen egg or egg substitute OR 2 egg whites.

Garlic: 1 clove = 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder OR 1/4 tsp dried minced garlic.

Ginger, Fresh: 1 tsp ground ginger + 1/4 tsp white pepper + 1/2 tsp lemon juice OR 1 tbsp minced crystallized ginger with the sugar washed off = 1 tbsp grated.

Gingerroot:  1/8 tsp ground ginger powder OR 1 tbsp rinsed and chopped candied ginger = 1 tbsp minced.

Half & Half: 1 cup for cooking or baking- 1 1/2 tbsp butter or margarine + enough milk to equal 1 cup.

Heavy Cream: (1 cup) for cooking or baking 3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup butter or margarine.

Herbs, Fresh: (three times the amount of dried) 1 Tbsp = 1 tsp dried herbs OR 1/4 tsp powdered herbs.

Honey: 1 cup for cooking or baking- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup of liquid appropriate for recipe.

Italian Seasoning: 1/2 tsp dried basil + 1/4 tsp dried oregano + 1/4 tsp dried thyme = 1 teaspoon.

Molasses: 1 cup honey OR 1 cup dark corn syrup OR 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar , dissolved in 1/4 cup liquid = 1 cup.

Juniper Berries: 2 bay leaves + 1 tsp caraway seeds + 1 chopped mint leaf = 6 to 10 crushed.

Mushrooms, fresh:  1 cup sliced and cooked = 1 can (4 oz.) mushrooms, drained.

Mustard, Dry: 1 tbsp prepared mustard = 1 teaspoon.

Mustard, Prepared:  1/2 tsp dry mustard powder + 2 tsp white vinegar =1 tablespoons.

Oil: Canola, Sunflower and Vegetable Oils, Substitute one for one.

Onion, Chopped: Small- 1 tsp onion powder or 1 tbsp minced onion. Medium- 1 tbsp onion powder.

Onion, Minced: 1 small minced = 1/2 tsp onion powder.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/8 tsp cardamom = 1 teaspoon.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/8 tsp allspice + 1/8 tsp nutmeg = 1 teaspoon.

Poultry Seasoning:  1/4 tsp ground thyme + 3/4 tsp ground sage = 1 teaspoon.

Sour Cream:  1 cup plain yogurt or 1 tbsp lemon juice and enough evaporated milk to equal 1 cup.

Tomato Juice: 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup for cooking.

Tomato Sauce: 1/2 cup tomato paste or puree + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup for cooking.

Wine, Red: Nonalcoholic wine, apple cider, beef broth or water.

Wine, White:  Nonalcoholic wine, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth or water.

Yogurt: 1 cup buttermilk OR 1 tbsp lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 cup OR 1 cup sour cream.

Source: about.com