[HandbagAficionado]

I have a teriyaki chicken recipe, and the sauce is pretty decent in calories (and no fat) EXCEPT for the sugar. I was thinking of halving the sugar, then adding some packets of equal in until it tastes comparable to what it usually tastes like (or close as I can get at least!). I don't have any Splenda to cook with, or I'd just use that for the entire amount of sugar.

Does this sound feasible, or should I not attempt it? lol

Thanks for your help!

Kelly

[athenac]

I haven't cooked with Equal, but I did once make sesame shrimp with splenda. I thought it tasted good, because I'm acquired to that taste. But I had my mother try it, who prefers sugar, noticed the difference. So it really depends on your taste for it and the ones that plan to eat it as well.

I also found this website that explains what happens when cooking with sugar substitutes.

http://homecooking.about.com/library...htm?once=true&

[Glory87]

I hate the taste of fake sweeteners so I would either leave it out entirely or add a little dark honey (high in antioxidants).

[HandbagAficionado]

Great info on the website - thanks Athena!

Glory, Honey would have been a great addition to this recipe (had I had any!). I compromised, halved the sugar but also halved the soy sauce so there is less of the salty flavor, and threw in some pineapple.

Thanks for your input guys!

Kelly

[Glory87]

Oooh, pineapple was a good option!

[QuilterInVA]

Honey has the same calories as sugar. You can't cook with Equal because it loses it's sweetness. You could add it right before serving. Splenda does work well for cooking.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by QuilterInVA

Honey has the same calories as sugar.

But at least it's healthier--less processed and more nutrients

I also found this recipe for teriyaki sauce for someone else who asked about a low-cal teriyaki sauce (replacing ALL sugar with pineapple juice):
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. pineapple juice
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

[Mel]

Equal (aspartame) breaks down when heated. You can cook with splenda, stevia, agave syrup (far less calories and just as good for you as honey).

Mel

[Glory87]

Originally Posted by QuilterInVA

Honey has the same calories as sugar.

Yes, that's why I said to use a little honey and added the caveat that it is high in anti oxidants. Personally, I don't like artificial sweeteners or chemicals. If I want something sweet, I will normally use sugar or honey (just in smaller quantities).

Honey (especially dark honey) appears to have a lot of nutritional benefits. I used to drink my tea plain, but I've started adding an occasional teaspoon of dark buckwheat honey for the health benefits (the same way I like high calorie olive oil salad dressing for the health benefits).

"Honey is an instant energy-building food containing all the essential minerals necessary for life, all of the B complex group, amino acids, enzymes, and other vital factors. Honey is virtually free of bacteria and rarely spoils.

Raw honey contains up to 80 different substances important to human nutrition. Besides glucose and fructose, honey contains: All of the B-complex, A, C, D, E, and K, minerals and trace elements: magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, chlorine, potassium, iodine, sodium, copper, and manganese. The live enzyme content of honey is one of the highest of all foods. Honey also contains hormones, and antimicrobial and antibacterial factors"

"According to the US researchers, dark-colored honey, such as buckwheat honey, is generally thought to contain higher levels of antioxidants than the light-colored varieties. Previous studies by the researchers, who presented their findings this week at the American Chemical Society meeting in Illinois, suggest that honey may have the same level of disease-fighting antioxidants as that of some common fruits."

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...dspice&dbid=96

All that and tastes fabulous too? Honey = winner to me.

[ValRock]

I second the Honey!!!