Not sure where to post this. Since they are used frequently in recipes posted here, thought I will just slot it in.
I realised that some of the ingredients used in the recipes I posted may be difficult to come by. I found a cookbook, ’Heavenly Fragrance’ by Carol Selva Rajah that gives some suggestions on substitutes for these ingredients. Bear in mind that I have not cooked with these substitutes.
Ingredients Substitutes
Galangal Young ginger (only if you are desperate)
Tamarind paste 2 dates pureed with 2 Tbs fresh lime juice for 1 Tbs of tamarind paste
(it may work cos tamarind is a souring agent and this is close in texture, colour and
taste)
Lemon Grass Sliced lime leaves or sliced lemon/lime rind.
Torch ginger A mixture of lemon grass and young ginger slices
Vietnamese mint/ Equal parts of mint and coriander leaves or Asian pennywort
Laksa leaf
