How do I use sea salt?

Just brought a container of Coarse Mediterranean Sea Salt home from the grocer. Went to find recipes for this ingredient on a popular recipe site. The inquiry came back with over 3900 choices! I don't have the brainpower to sort through that many selections. So, the question...
 
What is your favorite recipe using Sea Salt? 

I sprinkle course ground sea salt and course ground pepper on a steak and use my Jaccard meat tenderizer before cooking

You should be able to use sea salt in place of table salt in most recipes (not baking) since salt is generally added 'to taste' at the end.  I always use coarse Kosher or Sea Salt in cooking.  The only reason why I even have table salt is for making baked goods where recipe requirements are more exacting. 

I agree with the above.  I almost never use table salt.  I buy Kosher (or sea/gray salt if it's affordable).  I find it easier to use for some reason, and since I've started using Kosher salt I haven't oversalted anything, which I used to do.

cy

Put it in a pepper grinder and use in lieu of table salt

chewingthefat


Put it in a pepper grinder and use in lieu of table salt

Trader Joe's sells it in a grinder already. Their pepper too.

Toss the table salt and replace it with sea salt in all your cooking.   
 
I've been using RealSalt® Ancient All Natural Sea Salt exclusively for about 13 years and use it in all cooking and on all foods (even in my spice rubs).  In fact, this brand is so good (Best Taste Award), I carry it in my briefcase and travel bag!  I'm never without it, even in a restaurant.   It's normally found in natural food stores (Whole Foods, etc.), and is much cheaper than buying online.  (No, I'm not an employee. )

http://www.realsalt.com/

On steaks. Sprinkle sea salt or kosher salt, black pepper, chopped garlic on the steak and add a little oil and rub it all into the steak. Place it on a hot grill for about 3 minutes per side for medium rare. It gives the steak a nice crisp crust.
.

Use it in everything. It's not much more expensive than table salt. I agree with Dugas that you are less likely to oversalt food. After cooking with it a while you know exactly what a good pinch of kosher or sea salt will taste like in your recipes- if that makes any sense. And yes, steak. Something truly beautiful happens when the juices mix with those little salty crystals and fresh cracked pepper.

Even though it probably says so on the label, sea salt doesn't provide iodide (unless it's been iodized; Hain makes a version) and that might be important info for some people.

Brad

NOT HOW...but WHY?  I see alot of cooking shows talk about using sea salt - my question is why?  I understand the steak thing about the crust - but other than that - is there a logical reason why one should use seal salt as opposed to table salt?

Brad_Olson


Even though it probably says so on the label, sea salt doesn't provide iodide (unless it's been iodized; Hain makes a version) and that might be important info for some people.

Brad

Sea salt does have iodine in it plus all the other trace minerals that are in sea that is why it is less salty in flavor than table salt, not in the dosage as in iodized salt but it is there

As to why to use sea (or other coarse salts) I think the reason is control.  I don't know why, but I seem to use less with course salts than table salt. 

Some people say that they can taste the iodine of table salt, but I can't. 

My wife uses non-iodinized table salt in her cooking.  I like it, but for me, I stick with a coarse salt.

I smoke salt all the time. It's expensive on line $5.00 to $8.00 for a few ounces, but very easy to do.

All that is required is to lay a thin layer of any kind of salt on a sheet of foil in your smoker at 250 degrees, and use a brush to roll it after about an hour then in another hour pick up the foil and dump it into a container. If you leave it longer it picks up more smoke so no big deal.

You'll get some black specs in it as the other ingredients that are normally in salt will char. But ignore them.

It is awesome on eggs or salads. Actually it's great on anything.

Jack

Dr of BBQ


I smoke salt all the time. It's expensive on line $5.00 to $8.00 for a few ounces, but very easy to do.

All that is required is to lay a thin layer of any kind of salt on a sheet of foil in your smoker at 250 degrees, and use a brush to roll it after about an hour then in another hour pick up the foil and dump it into a container. If you leave it longer it picks up more smoke so no big deal.

You'll get some black specs in it as the other ingredients that are normally in salt will char. But ignore them.

It is awesome on eggs or salads. Actually it's great on anything.

Jack

I will have to try that tanks.

Mitch

You should try it.............................. or you can go here http://www.saltworks.us/shop/category.asp?idCat=1&utm_id=103&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=smoked+salt&gclid=CPDHhIzfhpwCFRJxxwodGV3JTw    

and buy  3.3 oz for $13.99. LOL


Or you can go here: http://www.saltworks.us/shop/product.asp?idProduct=196  and buy a case (12)  small containers for under $100.00.

OMG what a great price. LOL And of course it’s 100 % natural. ROTFL

Table Salt is "Processed". All the Minerals that your body needs are removed. Table salt is normally rock or ocean salt that is mined, heat blasted, chemically treated, and then anti-caking agents and iodine added to it. What you have left is table salt that is basically dead. It is now just dry sodium and chloride. Once again man is cheating us of one of Mother Natures most perfect foods. Processed salt is now devoid of all the essential minerals and macrobiotic nutrients that our bodies need to survive. The problem is that our bodies don’t really know what to do with processed salt. Years of processed salt intake can damage almost all areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, muscles and bones and it is processed salt that bloats us and causes water retention. Processed salt can put a body out of balance. People that have an aversion to salt or tell you they dislike salt most likely have too much sodium chloride attached to their organs and tissues, are really telling you that they are sick and are in need of essential minerals.

Sea Salt is not "Processed" and contains all the Natural Minerals from the sea.
100% natural sea salt maintains its integrity. Quite frankly, natural, organic sea salt is completely unfooled around with and is still harvested the same way it was done 2000 years ago by French salt farmers. It is hand raked and left in the sun to dry. All of the trace and micro-nutrients are fully intact. The correct balance of sodium and chloride are present as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and 90 other trace and micro-nutrients. These are charged minerals that retain a lot of moisture and are grey in color. If your sea salt from the health food store is white and free flowing then it is processed and should not be used.
When natural sea salt is ingested, it immediately works with the saliva in the mouth (amalese in particular) and starts the digestive process. The more minerals present in the mouth the more digestion takes place. Digestion continues in the stomach. Natural organic sea salt has been known to lower blood pressure and decrease water retention. It enables the liver, kidneys and adrenals to work much more efficiently. It can boost the immune system. Natural sea salt has all the elements of the ocean and this means that the survival potential of a body is much greater than if you remove these vital elements.
Do your body good and get natural grey sea salt. It won’t pour like table salt because of the moisture content, but the health benefits can be significant. You can put some dry rice kernals in the shaker to absorb some of the moisture.
 
I recently went through a 3 week "Natural" Detox program. It was amazing! I removed table salt, all Carbs & Sugars, all caffeine, all alcohol, all meat, seafood & dairy products and all "Processed" Products from my diet and I ate nothing but fresh fruits and vegetables for 3 weeks. Drank bottled Spring Water, not tap water. I took natural fiber and protein supplements. I lost 15 #'s, and 3 inches off my waist and never felt better. My blood sugar numbers dropped a average of 30-35 points. All my lab results showed significant improvements for organ functions. I'm continuing on a modifed program that allows some meat, fish & dairy and still feeling better. I can now use some Sea Salt to season my foods. My medical Specialist also uses weekly Accupressure treatments to improve the energy flow to and from my internal organs. It's amazing how much more energy I have and how much better I feel.

I got some sea salt and some other super duper salt for x-mas.... I made the mistake of smelling the sea salt and can't bring myself to use it....

The super duper mystic karmic salt (I forget what it is) came in a block with a little grater...well the grater produces a fine powder which is practically useless in cooking as it takes a good deal of time to produce ienough powder to flavor everything...maybe I'm supposed to snort it and feel the salt...

First of all, due to various regulations, most sea salt sold in the U.S. is pretty much pure salt, with no other additives, as is kosher salt, and are therefore interchangeable.

I use it for virtually all my salting needs, but in particular, I use it as a scouring powder in my cast iron pans, and I sprinkle a bit as a base when pan frying steak or burgers.

bartl


First of all, due to various regulations, most sea salt sold in the U.S. is pretty much pure salt, with no other additives, as is kosher salt, and are therefore interchangeable.

I use it for virtually all my salting needs, but in particular, I sprinkle a bit as a base when pan frying steak or burgers.

That's an excellent tip
TY
Jack

  I don't use Kosher salt as a seasoning as it has about the same nutrient value as table salt.
However, sea salt has minerals indigenous to the place where it was harvested which changes the nutrient value. This includes different minerals which changes colors, smells, and flavors. I usually use kosher salt for boiling water only and use sea salt as a finishing flavor to what ever dish I am making. I take coarse crystals and mash them in my crucible for a finer grind if I want a finer texture. Otherwise I use them whole as I like the crunchiness and flavor punch of coarse salt.
  Some sea salts can be VERY expensive and I would not recommend them for every salt application.

JMHO

David O.

Wow! Thanks all, for the suggestions and education. I'm taking the container out of the cupboard and using it on chicken wings destined for the grill this afternoon.

Brad_Olson


Even though it probably says so on the label, sea salt doesn't provide iodide (unless it's been iodized; Hain makes a version) and that might be important info for some people.

Brad

Not True Brad! Sea Salt does contain trace amounts of Iodine, but not enough to meet specific dietary recommendations.
 
From www.celticseasalt.com
Celtic Sea Salt® Brand salt is authentic, unprocessed whole salt from one of the most pristine coastal regions of France. Since 1976, Celtic Sea Salt® Brand salt has been harvested by the paludiers (salt farmers) of Brittany using a farming method that preserves the purity and balance of ocean minerals.

Celtic Sea Salt® Brand is doctor recommended, more nutritious than table salt, quality certified, and has exquisite taste. Use Celtic Sea Salt® Brand for all your cooking and seasoning needs, to enrich the taste of your foods while adding vital nutrients to your diet.
Celtic Sea Salt^® Brand Brochure
Celtic Sea Salt^® Brand Mineral Analysis

There are special grinders with plastic parts.  This prevents corosion.  Pepper grinders have metal parts.

I only use kosher salt. It actually has a little less sodium than table salt, and doesn't have the aluminum silicate in it. Why would I want to eat aluminum?

After reading all these posts, my next trip to the store I'm going to check out the sea salts.

waltpiii
There are special grinders with plastic parts.  This prevents corosion.  Pepper grinders have metal parts.

Which reminds me; as a salt shaker for coarse salt, I use a grated cheese server with a plastic top.

SeamusD


I only use kosher salt. It actually has a little less sodium than table salt, and doesn't have the aluminum silicate in it. Why would I want to eat aluminum?

After reading all these posts, my next trip to the store I'm going to check out the sea salts.

Let the Buyer Beware! Most "Sea Salt" sold in Supermarkets is not true Sea Salt. It may have been processed to some degree. All the big commercial brands like Morton & Hain & Store Brands are processed. Go to the Whole Foods type stores to get non-processed sea salt.

I forgot to mention RealSalt® is an all-natural, kosher-certified ancient sea salt extracted from deep within the earth near Redmond, Utah, hand-selected, crushed, screened, and packaged with no harsh refining, heating, additives, or anti-caking agents.

RealSalt's unique “pinkish” appearance and flecks of color are the result of more than 50 natural trace minerals essential to human health, including natural iodine!
 
It’s available in standard granular, kosher-grind, coarse, and powder. 
 
Tried to upload a photo, but it doesn't seem to work, but here it is via link:
http://www.changeyourfood.com/Partners/realsalt.gif
 
 
 

Foodbme

SeamusD


I only use kosher salt. It actually has a little less sodium than table salt, and doesn't have the aluminum silicate in it. Why would I want to eat aluminum?

After reading all these posts, my next trip to the store I'm going to check out the sea salts.

Let the Buyer Beware! Most "Sea Salt" sold in Supermarkets is not true Sea Salt. It may have been processed to some degree. All the big commercial brands like Morton & Hain & Store Brands are processed. Go to the Whole Foods type stores to get non-processed sea salt.

Thanks for the tip. We don't have any Whole Foods type stores up here, but some have good organic and import sections at places like Wegmans. We also have a Natur-Tyme store that I can check out.

The trace amounts of minerals in sea salt are not going to affect your health one way or the other unless you eat several pounds of it a day.  It's a myth that the manufacturers of the product would like you to believe.  The iodine added to table salt is another thing altogether.  If you eat a lot of canned or prepared foods, then iodized salt is not necessary in your diet, as prepared foods contain that product in excessive quantities. 

I use kosher salt mixed with table salt, as we eat very little processed food.  Contrary to what some folks may say, once salt is cooked into your food, there is absolutely no difference in flavor.  NaCl is the same thing, no matter what one calls it.  I can taste a bit of chemical tang in table salt if I place it on my tongue, but otherwise not.