
salt
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)
Island Ceviche Tacos
Island Ceviche Tacos from the Recidemia collection
Island Chicken and Rice
Makes 6 servings.
Islander Chicken and Rice
Makes 6 servings.
Island Salsa Salad
Caribbean cuisine
Island Sun Lava Sauce
Island Sun Lava Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Bagels
Israeli Bagels from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Banana Nut Cake
Israeli Banana Nut Cake from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Doughnuts
Israeli Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Eggplant Salad
Serves 4.
Israeli Fried Fish
Israeli Fried Fish from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Honey Orange Muffins
Israeli Honey Orange Muffins from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Marinated Raw Vegetable Salad
Israeli Marinated Raw Vegetable Salad from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Potato Salad
Israeli Potato Salad from the Recidemia collection
Israeli salad
Israeli salad from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Salad
Serves 6 – 8.
Israeli Spice Cake
Israeli Spice Cake from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Techina
Israeli Techina from the Recidemia collection
Israeli Wine Nut Cake
Israeli Wine Nut Cake from the Recidemia collection
Italian Bread
=Italian Bread=
Italian Chicken Soup
This satisfying soup gets its Italian flair from fennel, thyme, basil and orzo pasta. If you don't start with a low-sodium or sodium-free stock, advises our Test Kitchen stay, you might want to decrease the amount of salt called for in the recipe.
Italian Chicken with Colorful Rice
Makes 6 servings.
Italian Chocolate-Ricotta Cake
Italian Chocolate-Ricotta Cake from the Recidemia collection
Italian Dressing
=Variant One=
Italian Frittata
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Meadows Estate in Wills Point, Texas in 1991.
Italian Green Beans I
Italian Green Beans I from the Recidemia collection
Italian Guacamole
Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts turn this guacamole into a family favorite.
Italian Rice Pilaf
This dish has got a lot of Italian flavors, like bay, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and Chianti wine.
Italian Rice Pudding
Italian Rice Pudding
Italian Roasted Vegetables
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Henson Estate in Dallas, Texas in 1982.
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Italian Stuffed Peppers from the Recidemia collection
Italian-style Pork Chops with Spaghetti Squash
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 4 servings.
Italian Vegetable Medley
Makes 4 servings.
Italo and Sri Lankan Salad
Italo and Sri Lankan Salad from the Recidemia collection
Jackass Corn (Coconut Biscuits)
Jackass Corn (Coconut Biscuits) from the Recidemia collection
Jagacinda
Jagacinda from the Recidemia collection
Jägerschnitzel
Jägerschnitzel
Jalapeño-Cornmeal Waffles
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Jalapeno Poppers Salad
Jalapeno peppers are stuffed with a cream cheese mixture then battered and deep fried to make delicious little appetizers.
Jamaican Beef Patties
300px| Jamaican Beef Patties
JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES
JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES from the Recidemia collection
Jamaican Jerk Chicken 2
Jamaican cuisine
Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup
There are many, many variations of pepper Pot Soup. This version contains chicken, although one could easily change to beef, by using diced lean Beef and beef broth.
Jamaican Pumpkin-Coconut Soup
Very spicy and hot soup.
Jambalaya II
Jambalaya II from the Recidemia collection
Jambalaya II
Jambalaya
Jam Roly-Poly
Jam Roly-Poly is a traditional British cuisine probably invented in the early 19th century . It is a flat-rolled suet pudding, which is then spread with jam and rolled up.
Jani me Fasul
White bean casserole soup
Japrak
Japrak from the Recidemia collection
Jasmine Rice Pudding
Serves 6 to 8.
Jellied Mushrooms with Mayo
In Romanian: Ciuperci cu gelatina si maioneza