Replacement for alliums?

Question

I am going to be cooking for someone who, because of Crohn's disease, is unable to eat pretty much anything from the allium family (ie. onions, garlic, shallots, chives, scallions and leeks; this includes garlic and onion powder), as well as spicy food (so that excludes chilis and piquant spices). I have seen Substitute for onions and garlic but because the suggestions there are pretty much other alliums, it is not very helpful for my purposes.

Because onions tends to be in a lot of things (if nothing else, as half of a mirepoix, which tends to appear in many recipes, and is also the base of stocks, which makes things complicated -- I am not 100% sure if the two degrees of separation from onion to stock to whatever the stock is used for is enough to make it "safe", and unfortunately I won't have time to make an onion-less stock), I am not really sure what I can use instead.

I realize that it might be hard to substitute onions and garlic with other similar tasting ingredients without using other alliums, so instead, I am looking for suggestions to replace onions and garlic with things that will still let me cook flavourful food (that doesn't necessarily need to taste the same as it would with alliums, though).

For example, I was thinking about roasting a chicken and making a couscous dressing, but the chicken would sit on mirepoix (can I replace the onions in it with something else?) which would be used as a base for the sauce as well; and my couscous dressing recipe uses shallots (as well as sage, thyme, oregano and pine nuts). General suggestions would be useful as well, though.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

There are some varieties of Hindu cooking (especially as practiced by Hare Krishna / ISKCON folks) that don't use onion and garlic for religious reasons. They always use asafoetida powder (a spice), which has a taste similar to aged garlic, and supposedly good for the digestion. Use it in very small quantities, like 1/4 teaspoon in a curry for 4, to get started. The Indian name for this spice is hing. Don't be put off by the smell when raw, it gets milder when cooked.

Answer 2

Here is a good list of choices for substitutions: http://foodallergies.about.com/od/cooking/p/cookingwoonions.htm.

The thing I found interesting though, is what it says about Garlic and Onion powder:

Garlic powder and garlic salt are made from dehydrated, finely ground garlic. Onion powder and salt, likewise, are made from onions. These products are not suitable for anyone with a true allergy to either of these foods. However, some people who do not have true allergies to these foods and avoid garlic and onions due to gastrointestinal upset find that these products do not aggravate their symptoms, especially if used in small amounts.

So the question becomes, is it an actual allergy? You may want to check with the doctor on that one.

Here's their list of substitutions:

• Fennel has a licorice-like taste but onion-like texture. Try it with chicken or fish.

• Celery is among the most common aromatics.

• Bell peppers are often used in Cajun cooking. Green peppers and celery are a good base for rice dishes or savory stews.

• Carrots are used as an aromatic in French cooking in combination with celery.

• Celeriac, or celery root, is the knobby root of one variety of celery. Peeled and diced, it can be used as an aromatic in sauces or stews.

• Peppercorns: white, pink, or Szechuan pepper can add different flavors to your cooking.

• Cumin's distinctive taste that may work well in some recipes, especially where garlic is used raw.

• Horseradish, freshly grated, can add some of the pungent notes you might otherwise lack.

• Ginger and galangal have distinctive flavors but may be useful in stir-fries as aromatics.

Answer 3

I have a severe Allium allergy (imagine eating poison ivy) and am an avid cook. I have found that the function of the allium in the recipe is crucial in determining the substitution. Alliums can add heat, sweetness, tang, and often also give depth to the flavor of a complex sauce. Celery is always the base from which I start, adding some combination of carrots, sweet peppers, hot peppers, soy, anchovies, horseradish, ginger, cumin, sweet paprika, vinegar and even (rarely)a tiny bit of sun-dried tomatoes. I also sometimes smoke the ingredients. Please do not use any purchased spice mixes( like chili or curry), sauces, stocks or broths as they almost ALWAYS contain alliums. It is far better to serve your guest a simple piece of broiled meat or steamed vegetable than to make them sick!

Answer 4

My wife has a severe allergy to Onions. I also try to do as much cooking as I can and vary what we eat. Omitting alliums is possible.

If I'm working with Asian cuisine (It's what I'm more familiar with), I end up using a lot of ginger (combined with other spices/flavours to give it a "heat" without the spiciness). For "other" flavours, I commonly use combinations of soy, fish sauce, oyster sauce, black bean sauce, varieties of sugars (in small quantities), stocks (homemade or store bought, both can be done without onions or garlic).

In other cuisines, I also find myself increasing the presence of fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, rosemary) and acids (various vinegars, citrus).

Answer 5

This is really late but our company, Casa de Sante has just launched onion and garlic substitute spice mixes (Mexican, BBQ Rub, Tuscan Herb, Lemon Herb, Indian Spicy Hot) and vegetable stock powder. Our seasoning mixes contain no onion or garlic, we use hing instead, and we are FODMAP Friendly Certified. We are available at casadesante.com and on Amazon. Thanks!

Answer 6

As you mention in a comment a 'bad stomach reaction', for the Low FODMAP diet (which is intended for dealing with lower GI issues), alliums are on the 'avoid' list ... however, you can infuse garlic or onion flavor into oil, then strain & use the flavored oil.

The goal is to eliminate the fermentable carbohydrates, so you extract the flavor but avoid the rest. I've seen similar things done in some Italian cooking -- large slices of garlic cooked in oil for a few minutes, then removed before continuing the dish.

Something else that might be of interest is the spice asafoetida aka. hing. I'm still playing with it to determine the proper amounts to use, so can't give a specific replacement amount, but be warned that it absolutely stinks. (I found a bulk spice store that had it when I was traveling last year, and they double bagged it, but I made the mistake of putting it in a zip-top bag in my luggage, and even with three layers of plastic, the scent still permeated everything)

Answer 7

I realize this is way past due, however I thought I would she some light considering I am personally allergic to the allium cepa family. Perhaps this information will help you/others in the future.

As far as making a roast chicken goes, I find that it's best to just nix the onion from the mirepoix. The celery and carrots will stand up just swell.

As a starting point, here are tried and true recipes that I personally use to get around my allergy:

Chicken Stock

• 5 lbs Chicken Bones/parts
• 3-4 Lg Carrots
• 3-4 Celery Stalks
• 1 Tbl Rosemary
• 1 Tbl Parsley
• 1 Tbl Oregano
• 1 Tbl Basil
• 2 tsp Thyme
• 4 Tbl salt and pepper (rule of thumb, for every qt of water I use 1/2 Tbl of salt)

Add 7 qts water. Bring to Boil on Med-High heat. Stir. Reduce to low heat and cover. Let simmer (the longer it brews, the my flavourful it will be); remember to stir occasionally. Once brewed to satisfaction, strain the meat parts out.

Once it's strained, I tend to let it simmer for a few more hours. However that is purely optional. Put aside what you need, and freeze the rest. It's good in the fridge up to 3 days and good in the freezer for about 6 months or so.

Stuffing

I tend to not use the ends of my bread loaves, so as I finish the loaves I cut the ends into cubes. Then, I properly store them (to protect from freezer burn) and freeze the bits. I continue to add to them as time goes on until I have enough saved up for stuffing. Note: stale, but not moldy bread works too.

I know my Mom just buys a loaf from the store freezes it for about an hour and then cubes it. So depending on how much time you have to prep can depict your method.

• Bread Cubes
• 1/4 Stick Butter
• 3-4 Stalks of Celery
• 1-2 Cups of Chicken Stock
• 1 Tbl Basil
• 1 Tbl Oregano
• 1 Tbl Rosemary
• 1 Tbl Parsley
• 1/2 tsp Sage
• 1 1/2 tsp Thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
• Optional: I add 1/8 tsp of Tumeric (it helps with inflammation/swelling - for all those who have arthritis or are recovering from an injury)

Place Bread cubes on a cookie sheet (in a single layer). Bake at 250 F for about 20 minutes. Turn oven off and let stand in the over for an additional 30 minutes. (This allows it to get crispy but not burn).

While waiting for bread to toast up, chop celery into little bits and saute them in butter until tender.

Mix all ingredients (spices, stock - begin with 1 cup; if too dry, slowly add more, bread cubes, and celery/butter) into lg mixing bowl. *Note you do not want your stuffing to be too moist.

Use your hands to coming ingredients together (similar to the way one would mix ingredients when making meatballs). Once combined, the stuffing is ready for the bird!

Chicken Rub I personally just use the tried and true sage-thyme-marjoram combo. It's simple but great for chicken and turkey.

When it comes to cous-cous though, all I can suggest is what I do. I use this exact recipe but nix the garlic cloves (no substitution - although some people substitute with fennel on this step). I also make sure to use actual chili's or peppers NOT powders.

http://veggienumnum.com/2011/09/12/piri-piri-pumpkin-halloumi-w-sweet-couscous-salad/

Or I use Israeli cous-cous:

• 1 Tbl Tumeric
• 1 Tbl Extra Virgin Olive-Oil
• 1 Zucchini
• 1 Lg Peeled, Parsnip
• Unsalted Butter
• 2 Tbl Brown Sugar
• 1 Lemon (Juice and Zest)
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 2 Tbl pomegranate seeds
• salt and pepper

I boil the couscous per the directions to al dente in tumeric water. Drain it, and run cool water over it to cool it a bit. I pour the couscous into a lg bowl with the olive oil. Stir and set it aside.

Melt 1/4 tsp of butter and 1 Tbl of Brown sugar together (maple syrup is a good substitute). Set aside.

Fry the parsnips in butter. Adding thyme, salt, and pepper. As the parsnips begin to golden, toss in the zucchini. Saute for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar mixture. Saute for a minute or so longer, until it begins to be sticky. Add lemon juice and remove from heat.

Add your parsnips and zucchini to the Israeli couscous. Stir in pomegranate.

Serve Hot, warm, or chilled. All are lovely.

best of luck!

Answer 8

There's really not a substitute that will taste exactly the same, but there are some things that would still taste nice. You could try turnip, parsnip or fennel. You could try potato, which would basically just be "filler," or you could just do half carrot-half celery and omit the alliums. Again, it won't be identical, but I'll bet it would be tasty, just in a slightly different way. Maybe add a bit of finely chopped Italian parsley, too, just for a bit of extra flavor.