Tips

The Magic of Salt: A Guide to Perfectly Seasoned Dishes

Salt is an indispensable ingredient in any culinary creation, but it's important to remember that each dish has its own unique salt requirements. For seafood, a quick 15-minute marinade will do the trick, while pasta and noodles benefit from being boiled in salted water. As for meat, it's best to season it with salt once it's halfway cooked to lock in the flavors.

Administrator

11 July, 2024

Fish and Seafood

To keep fish fresh and enhance its flavor, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 liter of water and add a few ice cubes.

Soak the fish and seafood in this brine for 15 minutes before removing, drying, and marinating as usual.

For better absorption, marinate the fish and seafood with salt for 15 minutes before adding other spices.

Dairy Products

When using dairy products, instead of adding sugar to enhance sweetness, a pinch of salt can be added to dairy products with a sour taste.

Salt helps balance the sourness and makes the dairy product more delicious and appealing.

Asparagus

Before cooking asparagus, blanch it in boiling water with a pinch of salt for 3-5 minutes.

This helps retain its crispness, natural sweetness, and vibrant green color. Remember to align the asparagus spears in the same direction when blanching.

Meat

Meat readily absorbs salt, and salt also prevents the meat’s juices from turning cloudy.

However, to avoid over-salting, add salt only after the meat is half-cooked or just before completing the dish.

Packaged Dry Goods

When cooking packaged dry goods like noodles, boiling or blanching them in salted water enhances their flavor.

However, add the salt only after the water has come to a full boil. For 500g of noodles, use 2 tablespoons of salt.

Sauces

When chopping garlic for a sauce, sprinkle a little salt over it. The salt will absorb the garlic’s moisture, preserving its flavor during cooking.

For more tips: With this information, we hope that you can use salt effectively in your cooking, enhancing the flavor and appearance of your dishes. Good luck in the kitchen!

Frequently asked questions

Salt is a fundamental ingredient in cooking, essential for enhancing the flavor of dishes. It accentuates the taste of food, bringing out its natural flavors and adding a depth of taste that is hard to achieve without it.

There are various types of salt, each with unique characteristics. For example, table salt is highly refined and fortified with iodine, making it a common choice for everyday use. On the other hand, sea salt is produced through the evaporation of seawater and is known for its coarse texture and briny flavor. Other varieties include kosher salt, used in Jewish culinary traditions, and specialty salts like Himalayan pink salt, which offer unique flavors and mineral contents.

The amount of salt used in cooking can vary depending on personal preference, the type of dish being prepared, and the ingredients used. It’s important to season to taste, adding salt gradually and tasting as you go to avoid over-salting. A good rule of thumb is to start with a small amount, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Salt should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Exposure to moisture can cause salt to clump, while exposure to heat and sunlight can affect its flavor and texture over time.

Yes, it is generally fine to substitute different types of salt in recipes, but it’s important to remember that the flavor and texture may vary slightly. For example, when substituting kosher salt for table salt, you may need to use a larger volume as its coarser texture means it takes up more space. Always taste and adjust seasoning as needed when substituting salts.