Saltine and Brown Sauce Substitutes

paulamathers

For those of us who don't live in the USA and find it annoying when we can't make a recipe because we just don't have a specific ingredient available to us, i am starting to find alternatives!

My first alternative is for Saltine Crackers, very popular in recipes from Paula Deen's books, and often come up in Kate's recipes too. In England we have a cracker called Jacob's Crackers. They are pretty thin, about an inch and a half by an inch and a half, and square. If you crush these and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per cup, you will get the same consistancy as you would with 1 cup of crushed Saltines.

My second is Brown Sauce. In England we have Brown Sauce. It is very popular for us Northerners, especially on Bacon Sandwiches! As a Northerner myself, i would definitely opt for brown sauce over ketchup! My daughter on the other hand is a Southerner, and she is the total opposite! In America, as Kate has advised me, our Brown Sauce is the same as American Steak Sauce (have i got that right Kate?). Brown sauce is fruity and vinegary, and i never let myself run out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is also used in Shepards and Cottage Pies here, and i also use it in Lasagne to give added flavour.

I will continue to look for substitutes, and will let everyone know when i have found them!

Kate · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:30 am Post subject:

Paula I know what you mean. We have the same problem here. If you can find the item it's usually in a gourmet shop and costs an arm and a leg!

You are right about brown sauce. When you sent me that bottle and I tasted it, it was just like A1 sauce. It's not a condiment I use a lot personally, usually as a flavoring and on meats. I don't think I would care for it on a sandwich.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

Before Tesco started selling Cornmeal, i had to pay almost £3 for a little tub. Now that i can buy it in the supermarket, i can buy a bag twice the size for 55p!!! They totally rip people off for wanting ingredients that are simple staples in other countries!

Kate · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject:

I agree Paula,

There are shipping charges to take into consideration, and of course in larger lots the store pays less, but the USA isn't the only place in the world that manafactures cornmeal. I hope the Tesco that is opening by me will not be totally Americanized!
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject:

I hope they sell loads of English things like the Earl Grey Tea you love, and the Dolly Mixture sweets! Smile

Kate · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:43 am Post subject:

Me too!!!
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.