Substitutions for Uncommon Ingredients

Cooking an ethnic dish but can't find a special ingredient? Here are a few ideas for alternatives.

ITEM	SUBSTITUTION
Balsamic vinegar -- 1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon red wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Bamboo shoots	Asparagus (in fried dishes)
Bergamot	Mint
Chayotes	Yellow summer squash or zucchini
Cilantro	Parsley (for color only; flavor cannot be duplicated)
Coconut milk	2-1/2 cups water plus 2 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut. Combine and bring to a boil. Remove from heat; cool. Mix in a blender for 2 minutes; strain. Makes about 2 cups.
Delicata squash	Butternut squash or sweet potato
Green mangoes	Sour, green cooking apples
Habanero peppers	5 jalapeno peppers or serrano peppers
Italian seasoning	Equal parts basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme
Lemon grass	Lemon zest (zest from 1 lemon equals 2 stalks lemon grass)
Limes or lime juice	Lemons or lemon juice
Lo Mein noodles	Egg noodles
Mascarpone -- 1 cup	3 tablespoons heavy cream plus 3/4 cup cream cheese plus 4 tablespoons butter
Neufchatel	Cream cheese or Boursin
Palm sugar	Light brown sugar
Rice wine	Pale, dry sherry or white vermouth
Red peppers	Equal amount pimientos
Romano cheese	Parmesan cheese
Saffron	Turmeric (for color; flavor is different)
Shallots	Red onions or Spanish onions
Shrimp paste	Anchovy paste
Tamarind juice	5 parts ketchup to 1 part vinegar