Substitutions

And hopefully I will get to finally use all those packets of ranch dressing mix I've been hoarding. 

Trust us ... (by 'us', I mean old-timers in the UK who know all about substitutions!  )... creme fraiche works.  I made ranch dip with it earlier this week, and it was perfect.

Trust us ... (by 'us', I mean old-timers in the UK who know all about substitutions!  )... creme fraiche works.  I made ranch dip with it earlier this week, and it was perfect.

YUM! Now I'm getting excited. So there is a low fat creme fraiche, as well? I think I shall try that so as not to botch my diet. I fancy some veggies and ranch dip this weekend, at some point. 

Jewlz, Tesco sells low fat creme fraiche. Even in my dinky little local.

Jewlz, Tesco sells low fat creme fraiche. Even in my dinky little local.

Sweet... I see ranch dip in my future!

YUM! Now I'm getting excited. So there is a low fat creme fraiche, as well?

I always buy full-fat and, honestly, I have a harder time finding that than I do low-fat!

Has anyone tried The Pioneer Woman's homemade Ranch dressing recipe?  It looks pretty good...as do a lot of the recipes on this site.

I always buy full-fat

me too... full fat means full flavour!

Has anyone tried The Pioneer Woman's homemade Ranch dressing recipe?  It looks pretty good...as do a lot of the recipes on this site.

This looks good.  Anyone have any info on buttermilk?  Is it available, and if so, where should I look?  I have yet to see it here. 

This looks good.  Anyone have any info on buttermilk?  Is it available, and if so, where should I look?  I have yet to see it here. 

Lots of people say it's available, but I have yet to find it anywhere. 

I make my own with milk and a dash of vinegar let it set for a bit and it curdles........

I make my own with milk and a dash of vinegar let it set for a bit and it curdles........

Me too. It's really easy to make your own--I just put lemon juice in a bit of milk. I've never seen it here, but as the recipes I make usually only call for a couple of tablespoons of the stuff, even in the US I did this to save having a leftover carton of buttermilk.

Lots of people say it's available, but I have yet to find it anywhere. 

In all the supermarkets around here, it's with the cream. It comes in smallish cream-size containers, not big ones like the milk.

In all the supermarkets around here, it's with the cream. It comes in smallish cream-size containers, not big ones like the milk.

I've seen it at my local Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's. 

Jewlz, M&S carries egg pasta that's pretty similar to US egg noodles, just a bit bigger. Can't remember what the shape is called, though.

I actually like British soured cream and creme fraiche better than US sour cream. They don't have as many preservatives, gums, thickeners, etc. The half-fat creme fraiche is quite nice and works well in stroganoff.

Oddly enough, I never had any trouble finding buttermilk in Belfast, but it seems to be a bit harder in Leeds. It does exist, though. As chary said, it's usually with the cream.

I'll have a look in Tesco next time I go.  I've heard of making buttermilk before, it sounds like a good idea if you only need a few spoonfuls, but I like making buttermilk pancakes and biscuits, and if I'm using larger amounts, I'd rather have the real thing.  Thanks for the advice, everyone!