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When you think of heavy cream-based dishes, the only ones that probably come to mind are deliciously sinful bakes dolloped with clouds of whipped cream or a silken gravy in which pieces of tandoori chicken swim in a chicken tikka masala. Pouring a few tablespoons of cream to make the fluffiest mashed potatoes, is an elevated experience that all of us must undergo in this lifetime. What is technically a portion of milk enriched with fat, heavy cream adds richness and smoothness to a dish that could use some bulking up. However, in the rare oddity that you find yourself run out of a pack of cream or can’t seem to find it in your nearest supermarket shelves, here are a few delicious substitutes you could opt for, instead.
Coconut Milk
Rich in fat, coconut milk or coconut cream are a great vegan substitute for heavy cream. Adding it as a dairy replacement to sauces or soups for a bit of a tropical flavour as well as to thicken the liquid element of the dish you’re making. Coconut milk and coconut cream are different from cream of coconut, which is a sweetened coconut by-product.
Whole Milk
With an approximate fat percentage of 4%, whole milk works as a lighter substitute for heavy cream. With the difference in viscosity, you might want to add some flour or thickening agent when you’re using whole milk, in order to make your gravies or sauces thick and creamy. Whole milk pretty much contributes to the smoothness of a stew or gravy the same way heavy cream does.
Cashew Cream
Another vegan substitute with a mild, almost neutral flavour compared to coconut milk, cashew cream has a thick consistency which is perfect for vegan desserts where whipped cream is used. You could buy a pint of unsweetened cashew cream from the store and control the amount of sugar added to it, depending on what you’re using it for. Cashew cream also works well in recipes that require richness and a thick consistency.
Onion ‘Cream’
A dairy-free substitute made by roasting and pureeing onions, most people would find it surprising and unusual to use onion cream as a thickening agent in savoury dishes. Swap it for heavy cream in risottos, pastas, mashed potatoes, quiches for an extra bit of flavour as well as a healthier alternative to cream in these dishes.
Evaporated Milk
Also known as condensed milk closer to home, you can usually find a variety of options in supermarkets and gourmet food stores. Unlike heavy cream which adapts to the flavour of whatever recipe it is being added to, evaporated milk has a concentrated lactose and caramelized flavour, making it perfect to use in sweets that require a cream-based custard.
