what can i use instead of nutmeg and ground cloves?

Question

i dont have it in the house and never used them! is it important to use and if it is what can i use instead of it? thanks so much!!!!

Answer 1

Well for the nutmeg you could use mace which comes from the same plant as nutmeg. The mace tastes basically the same but slightly sweeter. For cloves there is no direct substitute.

However it sounds like you have a very limited amount of spices on hand. If you can't breakdown and go get them here are a few close substitutes, that only work in combination.

For nutmeg you can use a mix of 1 tsp cinnamon, with a dash of ginger.

For the cloves you can use allspice straight up but in an amount half of what the recipe calls for. The second possibility for cloves would be 1 tsp saffron, a pinch of ginger, and a pinch of ground fennel seeds.

These alternatives will come close in taste, but depending on the other things in the recipe they could completely ruin the dish, or alter its taste totally.

Your best option is to use the cloves and nutmeg, I'd just go to the store and buy them, because to answer your question it is important to use the specified ingredients.

Answer 2

Both have a flavor that is unique to that particular spice, and when you substitute, you can change the taste of the recipe considerably. It's usually best to use the spice called for in the recipe.

But if you don't want to keep both nutmeg and cloves on the shelf, consider buying a small bottle or box of allspice. Allspice smells and tastes like a combination of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. It can be used in place of nutmeg or cloves with only minor changes in the taste of the finished product.

Answer 3

I wonder if you could use a little allspice. I think that should work if you don't use as much as the recipe calles for. I am going to look in my cookbook. Hang on. I will be right back.
They do not list anything in my cookbook. But I am sure I head Emerald the famous cook talk about that one time. I would try it because allspice has nutmeg and ground cloves in it. Let me know how it turns out. Good luck.!

Answer 4

Ouch. Pretty important there. You could probably go without the nutmeg...maybe use a pinch of cinnamon instead. But the cloves? Pretty strong stuff there. I'd break down and go buy it.

Answer 5

well you can never beat nutmeg or cloves... sometimes i use a little ginger.. something sweet to make up for it. There are SO many recipes that require those, go to winco and buy them in bulk if you don't want to spend a lot... to just buy enough that you need. Like i said, it pays off to have them in the house though.

Answer 6

If you have pumpkin pie spice in the house, you can use that instead. It does have allspice in it, too, so it will change the taste a little, but it's usually OK.

Answer 7

Allspice.

Answer 8

Try Allspice.

Answer 9

depends on what your making, but pumpkin spice can work in a pinch, too

Answer 10

It all depends on what you are making!!