What Is Lemongrass

With the scientific name of Cymbopogon, lemongrass is a hemophiliac plant that loves warm regions. There are several species but the best known are:

• Nardus, also called Ceylon Citronella, is used to extract the essential oil from the lemon scent. We do not use it in the kitchen because it has an unpleasant taste.
• Winterianus, or Java Citronella, is available all over the world because it is rich in oils and aromatic essences.
• Flexuosus has a strong lemon scent and survives with temperatures between 8 and 40 degrees.
• Citratus leaves smell of lemon and are also ideal for cooking.

Substitute for Lemongrass

Lemongrass is an aromatic, evergreen, and bushy plant of the Poaceae or Gramineae family. Its aerial part has erect stems that resemble bamboo canes. Its leaves, ribbon-like and bright green, have a paper consistency, have no petiole, and have sharp edges similar to knife blades. They have a bright green color and fall in the apical part.

The plant has a pleasant citrus aroma, especially lemon, that increases if you rub the leaves between your fingers. The Citronella flexus reaches up to 1.5 m in height and produces seeds. Also, the citrates species reach one meter in height and do not produce seeds.

Why Would You Want to Substitute

Although considered safe, using lemongrass oil or drinking herbal teas can lead to allergic reactions in some people. Undiluted or concentrated lemongrass oil should not be applied directly to the body as it can lead to harmful reactions. Always keep essential oils out of the reach of children.

Substitutes for Lemongrass

The lemongrass is an herb widely used in Asian cuisines such as India, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is ideal for savory dishes or sweets. This ingredient is excellent for digestive properties and preparing herbal teas.

Unfortunately, it is not always easily available unless you go to shops specializing in ethnic products. So, what is a good substitute for lemongrass? Here are some substitutes on how to replace lemongrass in your recipes in case you do not have it at home.

Lime Zest

The first way to replace lemongrass is to use the grated zest of citrus fruit such as lemon or lime. As for the quantity, keep in mind that each lemongrass stalk corresponds approximately to the grated zest of a half lemon or a half lime of medium size.

Lemon and lime are excellent substitutes for lemongrass both in meat-based recipes. We can list chicken with coconut milk, curry, and lemongrass or chicken skewers with sesame seeds and lemongrass.

Ginger and Lemon Zest

Another suitable alternative to lemongrass is a mix of fresh ginger and grated lemon zest. To give the dish an intense but not excessively acrid aroma, you can use the grated zest of half lemon and about 2cm of grated ginger.

The slightly spicy note given by fresh ginger makes this mix perfect for flavoring soups, prepared with only vegetables, fish, shellfish, and mollusk soups.

Coriander Seeds and Lemon Zest

To replace the lemongrass, it is also possible to combine the grated lemon zest with little coriander seeds. Here, use a teaspoon of chopped coriander seeds, and the grated zest of a half lemon for each lemongrass stem stated in the recipe.

Like the mix of lemon peel and ginger, lemon peel and coriander are suitable to replace lemongrass, especially in soups. However, the aroma conferred will not be spicy as it will be sweeter and more delicate.

Mayonnaise

If you do not want to use lemongrass on your potato salad or sandwich, you can substitute it with sour mayonnaise. If you do not have mayonnaise, the best alternative is golden syrup honey. Golden syrup made of honey is ideal in this case. Is golden syrup the same as corn syrup? Maybe yes if you do not have any issue about the flavor of golden syrup USA.

White Sugar

You can completely replace one cup of white sugar with one cup of brown sugar or over one cup of powdered sugar. Another healthier alternative to white sugar is to use honey.

Wine

Many recipes call for alcohol. However, many people dislike using alcohol when cooking. Here, you can replace the wine with one cup of fruit juice and two teaspoons of vinegar.

Lemon Juice

1/2 teaspoon of vinegar can be substituted for one teaspoon of lemon juice. Substituting a small amount will not affect the taste of the dish. But we do not recommend replacing the dominant flavor of lemon with vinegar.

Fresh Lemon Balm Leaves

Finally, if you need to substitute lemongrass for sweet recipes, the best thing is to use chopped lemon balm leaves. The aroma of lemon balm is excellent for giving perfume and flavor to your desserts, from ice creams to sorbets.

Best Lemongrass Substitute in Cooking

Lemon leaves are the leaves of the lemon tree. They have a characteristic aroma when crushed or chopped. Depending on the variety of lemon, the shape of the leaves can be different. For example, the leaves of our lemon tree are ovoid, looking like orange leaves with a length of 2.5-9 cm.

Meanwhile, the leaves of the Thai lemon tree are spear-shaped or oblong, maybe whole or appear toothed at the edge of the leaf. Thai lemon leaves are dark green and the petiole is very wide, the leaf blade is large.

Lemongrass Substitute in Curry

For soups and curries, while they are boiling, you can add a few fresh, whole lemon leaves inside. Lemon leaves will help the dish smell and have a very special taste. It is not ideal to use chopped lemon leaves because it is difficult to get all the lemon leaves in the dish when enjoying them.

If you do not have fresh lemon leaves, you can also use dried lemon leaves instead. The dried leaves will be less fragrant. So, double the amount of dried leaves compared to fresh leaves. And to remove the lemon leaves after cooking the dish, put the leaves in a clean, thin cloth and bound them before putting them in the soup or curry pot.

Tips on Using the Replacement for Lemongrass

Lemon leaves can be fresh or dried in cooking depending on the needs of users. You can store fresh lemon leaves in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator or outside in a cool place for dried lemon leaves. In addition, old lemon leaves, people often remove the veins, petioles and shred the leaves to avoid bitterness, then dry and crush them before using them.

Benefits of Lemongrass

Antiseptic or antibacterial

Essential oil of citronella exerts an antiseptic for monoterpene nerol and geraniol. In particular, some studies have shown that essential oil has an antibacterial action against microorganisms such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

Analgesic and Sedative

Some researches highlight the sedative and analgesic action of the essential oil but only if it is consumed in large quantities. Taking decoctions prepared with the leaves does not generate therapeutic effects.

Antipyretic

We also used lemongrass to treat influenza and to reduce fever thanks to citral and limonene.

Antispasmodic

The antispasmodic activity of lemongrass oil is effective against pain and abdominal swelling and with dyspepsia (digestive difficulties).

Antidiarrheal

The lemongrass stem decoction can help reduce the number of bowel movements with diarrhea, in a dose-dependent manner. See more

Conclusion

Besides lemongrass, we have many questions about substitutes such as can you substitute olive oil for vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and grapeseed oil? Or which types of jack cheese are ideal? The spicy choice is Monterey Jack Cheese Spicy. Second, the healthy one is Monterey Jack Cheese Healthy. Last, the best one for vegans is Monterey Jack Cheese Vegetarian.

What Is Applesauce

The applesauce is an American ingredient that is the healthiest thing they have ever done! It is an excellent substitute for eggs in preparing desserts. Applesauce is also a filling for biscuits and cakes.

The apple’s purity, or eliminate harmful substances from our body thanks to pectin. It also contains many nutrients and is suitable for those who have to make significant efforts during the day or for those who are convalescing.

Why Would You Want To Substitute

The applesauce has no particular contraindications. However, there are some aspects that you should pay attention to, anyway. For example, some people are intolerant to fructose. It is one sugar in the fruit, and who may experience some unwanted reactions.

Applesauce can cause the formation of gas in the intestine, or general constipation and annoying cramps because of its astringent effect. It happens especially if you have problems digesting short-chain, simple carbohydrates in the fruit itself. However, it is sufficient not to overdo the consumption to avoid these unpleasant side effects.

Substitute for Applesauce

Here are the eight best substitutes for applesauce:

Vegetables

Zucchini, avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, or mashed squash represent allies for our chocolate cakes and moelleux. The taste of these vegetables is completely absent once the appliance is cooked.

Cottage Cheese

It is possible to get creamy cakes with much less fat, such as white cheesecake. For more softness, you can prefer cottage cheese made from whole milk. If you want to say goodbye to calories, it is best to go for cottage cheese with 0% fat.

Another ideal choice is Jack cheese. There are many types of Jack cheese. The first choice is Monterey Jack Cheese Spicy. Our second recommendation is Monterey Jack Cheese Healthy for your health. And the one for vegans is Monterey Jack Cheese Vegetarian.

Almond puree

It has the same consistency as applesauce and is available in equal proportions. This puree, which also exists for hazelnuts and walnuts, contains many vitamins and provides a subtle taste. This ingredient is effective in recipes such as mash with almond puree and chocolate chips.

Bananas

Once crushed, they are easy to cook with anything. Their texture makes it possible to get a soft cake. For example, you can make banana bread by choosing ripe bananas to bring out their taste.

Otherwise, they can be incorporated into a banana-blueberry cake recipe without butter. With mashed bananas, the goal is to get a soft buttery appearance. For 100g of butter, 100g of banana will be perfect.

Red lentils

We must use them in the same quantity as the applesauce initially planned. You can cook them. Then, mix them to get a pasty consistency that will replace the applesauce perfectly.

Margarine

It is the plant-based version of classic applesauce. It will hardly change the appearance of your cake. You can also use it for a cherry brandy cake that contains many saturated fats. To use it, take the same amount as for applesauce.

Vegetable oils

They effectively replace applesauce in our recipes, 10cl of oil is needed for 100 g of applesauce. We can take the example of the famous yogurt cake recipe that is made from sunflower oil. You can also use corn oil, sesame oil, or even hazelnut oil for sweet and less pronounced flavors.

As for coconut oil, we easily use it in a banana bread recipe with coconut oil. Besides, can you substitute olive oil for vegetable oil, canola oil,  peanut oil, or grapeseed oil? The answer is yes.

Cream

It contains two times less fat than classic Creme Fraiche while keeping the same characteristics. This cream provides good smoothness for a chocolate fondant without butter. It usually represents a jar of soy dessert cream for your cake.

Best Applesauce Alternative

Applesauce Substitute in Baking

Banana is a tasty tropical fruit that comes mainly from Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. The sweetness and versatility of its yellow pulp in the kitchen are famous. It is common to see it while preparing fruit salads.

Bananas are also ideal for the creation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It is up to being one of the principal ingredients of some ethnic gastronomies, such as African cuisine. Discover our recipes and tips to cook them at their best!

Substitute for Applesauce in Muffins

Some call it milk, others more commonly cream. The cream is one of the fundamental ingredients for making tasty and creamy dishes in the kitchen. It is ideal both in pastry and savory dishes because its delicate flavor makes everything very fluffy.

We can use it both in appetizers with vegetables such as mushrooms and zucchini, or with fish, enhancing the delicate taste of cuttlefish and squid. The cream also becomes an excellent aid for risottos and first courses. It is a valid solution for a quick but very delicate dish.

It is the basic ingredient for French quiches or quiches, wherewith its extreme creaminess makes your unique dishes very appetizing. But it is also the raw material used for the production of butter and some fatty cheeses such as Camembert.

The fresh cream then becomes basic for one of the most popular spoon desserts in the kitchen dedicated to pastry. It is the Chantilly cream, made simply by combining whipped cream with custard.

Substitute for Applesauce in Vegan Baking

The vegetable oils are nothing more than liquid fat at room temperature. Cold pressing or pressure gets them or by solvent extraction, from the fruits or seeds of plants. Cold pressing has got quality oil.

This extraction method does not alter the nutritional characteristics of the oil so the fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants such as polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory action remain intact.

Tips on Using The Replacement for Applesauce in Recipe

Frying should be avoided as by bringing the oils to high temperatures, toxic and sometimes we form even carcinogenic substances which also irritate the gastric and intestinal mucous membranes and tire the liver.

Fried food causes the oxidation of fatty acids, and this favors the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. However, eating a fry once in a while does not hurt, especially if we choose the right oil and combine a nice plate of fresh vegetables.

As we have seen, the resistance of an oil to high temperatures depends on its smoke point and therefore on the composition of fatty acids.

Conclusion

Widely used in the kitchen for various preparations, applesauce exists of many types and each has unique characteristics. After reading this article, we hope you can find which are the best applesauce substitute to use in cooking, their nutritional properties, and which are the best uses.