When you substitute heavy cream with half and half, you're changing the fat content and the texture of your dish. Heavy cream has a fat content of around 36%, while half and half has around 10-12%. This means that your dish might not be as rich and creamy, but it could still work, depending on the recipe.
Think of it like swapping out a Porsche for a Toyota - both will get you where you need to go, but the ride will be different. The Porsche (heavy cream) will give you a smooth, luxurious ride, while the Toyota (half and half) will get you there, but it might not be as sleek.
But, let's be real, sometimes you just don't have heavy cream on hand, and that's where half and half comes in - it's like having a trusty sidekick that can save the day. So, can you use half and half instead of heavy cream? The answer is, it depends on the recipe and the desired outcome.