Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Just a few questions

Hi Lana --

I can only help with a few of your questions, but anything always helps, right? As for the garlic in a bottle, I have used that myself in a pinch (I still buy the fresh garlic though, for two reasons: 1) it's stronger, since it's fresh, and I just love fresh garlic! and 2) the garlic in a jar comes packed in water, so BE CAREFUL, it tends to splatter and can burn you when you use it in stir fries (water and oil definitely don't like each other). But it is nice since you don't have to chop it, and when you're all out of garlic and forget to buy it, then it's a good back up.

And a tip for chopping garlic (If you already know this, then read ahead!), its easier to first smash the cloves with the side of a large meat cleaver (The big flat knives). This will make it so much easier to remove the peel, and then it is extremely easy to chop up into small bits.

As a general rule, 1 tablespoon fresh herbs equals 1 teaspoon dried herbs. But let your taste be your guide. Dried herbs start out with a stronger taste than fresh herbs, but as they age they start to lose their flavor....so if you have really old dry herbs, then you might have to adjust the amount you use.

A chutney is just a type of relish, which I believe originated in India. The types of chutney are endless, but they often have fruit, vinegar, spices, sugar, etc and are used to add flavor to a dish (i.e. fish, chicken, etc.)

And there is no real substitute for sesame oil, it is used for its distinct nutty flavor in asian dishes -- i.e., fried rice just doesn't taste the same without sesame oil. But if you had to, peanut oil or some other oil could be subbed. A good reference site is http://www.foodsubs.com/Oils.html. I use cook's thesaurus for a quick reference whenever I don't know an ingredient in a recipe (which is alot!) Plus there's pictures, a definite plus. I always find the page on herbs extremely helpful.

Have a great day!
cheme

--------------------
Heather

"Quod me Nutrit me Destruit"

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator