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salt

CondimentsYear-round

Salt provides essential sodium and chloride minerals critical for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and electrolyte balance, though dietary moderation is recommended due to health associations with excessive sodium intake.

About

Salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), essential for human physiological function and one of the oldest food preservation and flavoring agents known to civilization. Extracted through evaporation of seawater, mineral deposits, or underground salt mines, salt exists in multiple crystalline forms ranging from fine powder to large mineral nuggets. The main types include sea salt, rock salt (halite), kosher salt, and specialty salts such as Himalayan pink salt and fleur de sel, each with distinct grain sizes, mineral compositions, and textural properties that influence their culinary applications.

Culinary Uses

Salt serves as the primary flavor enhancer and seasoning across virtually all culinary traditions, enhancing natural flavors, suppressing bitterness, and balancing sweetness. Beyond its seasoning role, salt functions as a critical preservative through curing, brining, and dry-salting techniques in charcuterie, seafood preservation, and fermented foods. In baking and cooking, salt regulates gluten development, controls fermentation rates, and aids texture formation in breads, pastas, and cured meats. Different salt varieties—coarse kosher salt for finishing, fleur de sel for delicate garnish, and fine sea salt for baking—provide textural variation and mineral complexity to refined preparations.

Used In

Recipes Using salt (6,202)

RCI-SC.003.0093.001

Herbed Onion Salad Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields

RCI-MT.006.0026.001

Herbed Pork and Spinach Terrine

Herbed Pork and Spinach Terrine from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0133.001

Herbed Seafood Bruschetta

* Source: Diabetic Living Diet * Total Time: 25 minutes * Servings: 24

RCI-SF.002.0148.001

Herbed Shrimp in Beer

Herbed Shrimp in Beer from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0134.001

Herbed Vegetable Kebobs

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-BR.001.0121.001

Herbes de provence french bread

Herbes de provence french bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.003.0094.001

Herb Lime Vinaigrette

Herb Lime Vinaigrette from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.001.0027.001

Herb Omelet

Herb Omelet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0141.001

Herb-roasted Pork Tenderloin

Herb-roasted Pork Tenderloin from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0058.001

Herb Roasted Potatoes I

Part of Herbs 'N Spices: A Holiday Menu: a complete menu for a holiday open house or buffet-add the appetizers.

RCI-BR.002.0046.001

Herb Tortilla Pan Bread

Herb Tortilla Pan Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0351.002

Hermits

are chewy molasses spice cookies. This version is on the strong side of the spectrum so those who prefer less hot-tasting food should hold back on the cloves and ginger.

RCI-BR.005.0351.001

Hermits

are chewy molasses spice cookies. This version is on the strong side of the spectrum so those who prefer less hot-tasting food should hold back on the cloves and ginger.

RCI-BR.005.0353.001

Hermits II

Hermits are a favorite cookie in New England.

RCI-BR.005.0355.001

Hermits IV

Hermits IV from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0193.001

Herring soup

Herring soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0267.001

Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log

Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0268.001

Hershey's German Chocolate Cake

Makes 1 cake and about 2⅔ cups frosting

RCI-SP.002.0111.001

He’s Just An Old Crab Chowder

Purchased from the Patterson Estate in Tyler, Texas in 1992. Notation on card indicates this was a favorite of Mr. Rodgers. Dated 1931.

RCI-VG.001.0303.001

Hess Cucumber Salad

Hess Cucumber Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0142.001

Hickory BBQ Chicken

Hickory BBQ Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0143.001

Hickory BBQ Pork Loin

Please keep a kitchen fan on and a window open. I don't care if it's 15 below. Just do it, and you'll be glad.

RCI-SC.007.0148.001

Hickory BBQ Rub

This rub is great for spicing up pork ribs cooked indoors, or just general seasoning. It's even good on fried chicken.

RCI-MT.004.0461.002

Hickory Maple Glazed Wings

Hickory Maple Glazed Wings from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0461.001

Hickory Maple Glazed Wings

Hickory Maple Glazed Wings from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0145.001

Hickory Smoked Pork Chops

Pork chops seared hot then cooked slowly over hickory wood makes your mouth water just thinking about it, right?

RCI-BR.005.0356.001

High-fiber Cookies

High-fiber Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.002.0112.001

Highland Chicken Soup

Highland Chicken Soup

RCI-RC.005.0041.001

Highland Porridge

Highland Porridge from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0075.001

Hilbeh

Yemeni hot relish. Hilbeh is a traditional fiery accompaniment for felafel, or a dip for bread.

RCI-BR.005.0357.001

Hillary Rodham Clinton's Chocolate Chip Cookies

HRC's Recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies by the White House, public domain government resource

RCI-SP.004.0172.001

Hobgoblin stew

Hobgoblin stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0090.001

Ho Dduk

Korean pancakes. These were described to me as inside out pancakes. I just call them delicious. Ho Dduk This recipe is for 36 servings. Preparation: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

RCI-BR.007.0064.001

Hojuelas

Hojuelas Fried puff squares Makes about 2 dozen

RCI-BR.007.0065.001

Hojuelas Colombians

Hojuelas Colombians

RCI-BR.004.0269.001

Holiday Cake

This is from an old recipe book of my mother's. " This recipe makes three loaves. It's tricky to get right but it's well worth the time and effort. We usually make it around Christmastime.

RCI-BR.003.0228.001

Holiday Fruit Bread

Holiday Fruit Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0135.001

Holiday Ham Puffs

The only trouble with this appetizer is the fellows eat them like peanuts.

RCI-RC.001.0092.001

Holiday Herb and Nut Pilaf

Makes 6 servings

RCI-SP.004.0173.001

Holiday Jambalaya

Makes 6 servings

RCI-MT.002.0147.001

Holiday Pork Loin

This is perfect for serving at Christmas instead of ham, or even as a main dish when guests come over.

RCI-RC.006.0069.001

Holiday Stuffing

This isn't designed to be stuffed inside a turkey unless you want dry meat.

RCI-RC.006.0070.001

Holiday Stuffing

This isn't designed to be stuffed inside a turkey unless you want dry meat.

Hollandaise
RCI-SC.002.0016.001

Hollandaise

Sauce Hollandaise on boiled white Asparagus|asparagus and potatoes is a warm emulsion of clarified butter and lemon juice using egg yolk to bind them.

RCI-SP.004.0174.001

Holodets

Mixed meat jelly

RCI-VG.005.0071.001

Holoobtsi

Ukrainian cabbage rolls From "Catsrecipes Y-Group"

RCI-VG.005.0072.001

Holubtsi

Holubtsi from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.004.0049.001

Homemade Advocaat

This is the Dutch equivalent of eggnog and literally translated means "lawyer". This traditional Dutch beverage is always served during the Christmas season.

RCI-BR.003.0230.001

Homemade Breadsticks

Homemade Breadsticks from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0271.001

Homemade Cake Mix

This wonderful mix can be substituted for any purchased cake mix. Unlike other homemade cake mix recipes, this one has less fat, so it can be substituted for the purchased cake mix recipes, which often add oil or butter.