Substitutes!

[Angie]

I am going to make sesame chicken today, for the first time.

The recipe calls for light soy sauce and dark soy sauce, and chili paste.

I don't have the dark soy sauce or the chili paste. Can I use something else to substitute or do I have to send hubby to the store?

 

[jkath]

This is a fantastic food substitutions site!

http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t-1-200/food-substitutions.asp

(your chili paste sub is near the bottom, under misc)
as for the soy sauce, use what you have - I'd think it would be just fine.

 

[Angie]

WONDERFUL! Thank you!

 

[Caine]

Didn't I already give someone here a substitute for chili garlic sauce?

For each TBS of chili garlic sauce, use 1 TBS ketchup or tomato paste, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic clove, granulated garlic, or garlic powder.

 

[jennyema]

DO NOT use that chart's substitution for chili sauce. That's a sub for the ketchup-style chcil sauce, like Heinz that you put on top of meat loaf.

It's not a sub for asian chili paste which is an entirely different thing. Caine's looks much better.

Also, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce taste quite different.

Dark has molasses added. So for every T of dark called for, I'd add about 1t molasses or brown sugar.

 

[Andy M.]

...Also, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce taste quite different.

Dark has molasses added. So for every T of dark called for, I'd add about 1t molasses or brown sugar.

Thanks, Jen! I didn't know that.