A dish, no matter how premium or fresh its ingredients are, or how nutritious it is, can become unappetizing if it’s overly seasoned with salt. Not every dish can be fixed by simply adding water.
Tips to reduce saltiness without adding water
To reduce the saltiness of a dish when you’ve added too much fish sauce or salt, you can try the following methods:
Use vinegar or fresh lemon juice
If a dish is too salty, try adding an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice, vinegar, or sour fruits to neutralize the saltiness. Gradually add the ingredient to the dish, tasting as you go, until the saltiness is reduced to your liking.
Try to choose an acidic ingredient that complements the flavor profile of your dish. For a safer option, go for something neutral like rice vinegar or white wine vinegar, as they go well with a variety of dishes.
Use egg whites to absorb the saltiness
This tip may surprise you. For salty soups or broths, you can effectively reduce the saltiness by adding an intact egg white (don’t beat it) to the pot, letting it simmer for 5 minutes, and then removing it. This significantly reduces the saltiness of the dish. Adjust the amount of egg white used depending on the quantity of food.
Tone down the saltiness with honey
Honey not only reduces saltiness but also enhances the flavor of stews and soups with its natural sweetness. Just a teaspoon of honey will do the trick and make your dish more delicious.
If you don’t have honey, you can use sugar as a substitute.
Use potatoes
Thinly slice a raw potato and add it to your salty soup or stir-fry, leaving it in for at least 15 minutes. These potato slices are excellent at absorbing salt. Afterward, add a little bit of MSG, and your soup will taste as good as new.
Use tomatoes
Tomatoes are also effective in reducing saltiness. Cut thick slices of tomato and add them to your dish, soaking them for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the excess salt. However, tomatoes may not be as effective as the previously mentioned tips, as their sourness is quite mild.
There are many tips to reduce saltiness without adding water. (Illustrative image: Istock)
How to season your dishes to make them tasty and flavorful
To make your dishes tasty, flavorful, and appealing, pay attention to the following seasoning tips:
Salt: For boiled, stir-fried, or steamed dishes, add salt when the water starts boiling and just before the food is fully cooked. For stews and grilled dishes, season with salt before cooking to allow the food to absorb the flavor.
MSG: For boiled, stir-fried, or steamed dishes, add MSG after the food is cooked and just before serving. For stews and grilled dishes, it’s best to avoid using MSG.
Bouillon: For boiled, stir-fried, or steamed dishes, add bouillon when the water starts boiling and just before the food is fully cooked. For stews and grilled dishes, season at the marinating stage to allow the flavors to penetrate the food.
Fish sauce: For boiled, stir-fried, or steamed dishes, add fish sauce after the food is cooked or just before serving. For stews, season with fish sauce during the marinating stage.
Sugar: Add sugar to boiled dishes after they’re cooked or just before serving. For stews, marinate with sugar before cooking. For grilled dishes, avoid using sugar as it can easily burn and turn bitter.
According to VTC News