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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-MT.002.0170.001

Lithuanian Paddies

Makes 24 paddies

RCI-ND.006.0041.001

Lithuanian Stuffing for Poultry

Lithuanian Stuffing for Poultry from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0078.001

Little Ships

In Romanian: Corabioare

RCI-BR.008.0113.001

Livanecky z Kysele Smetany

Sour cream pancakes. Sounds odd, but these are really good. Not just for breakfast either.

RCI-ND.007.0036.001

Liver Dumplings

Serves a family.

RCI-MT.005.0153.001

Liver Hash

Liver Hash

RCI-MT.006.0035.001

Liver Loaf

Liver Loaf from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0107.001

Liver Pâté with Mushrooms

In Romanian: Pateu de ficat cu ciuperci

RCI-SC.005.0086.001

Llajua

Llajua from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0147.001

Lobiani

Lobiani Bean khachapuri

RCI-SF.002.0159.001

Lobster and Crabmeat-stuffed Mushrooms

Makes about 50 mushrooms

RCI-SW.004.0032.001

Lobster Enchilada with Avocado-Sweet Corn Salsa

Two citrus juices give this guacamole twice the zing

RCI-SF.002.0161.001

Lobster Newberg

* Serves 4

RCI-VG.004.0816.001

Lo-cal Eggplant

Lo-cal Eggplant from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0112.001

Lo Mai Gai

Lotus leaf wraps Serves 8

RCI-MT.002.0171.001

Lomo de Cerdo a la Caucana

Lomo de Cerdo a la Caucana from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0152.002

London Broil

I know it says London, and it says broil, but it's the exact opposite. It's only really popular in America, and it's grilled.

RCI-MT.001.0152.001

London Broil

I know it says London, and it says broil, but it's the exact opposite. It's only really popular in America, and it's grilled.

RCI-MT.002.0172.001

Lone Star State Barbeque Spareribs

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Long Island Roast Duckling
RCI-MT.004.0542.001

Long Island Roast Duckling

Long Island roast duckling is part of the regional cuisine of eastern Long Island, New York stemming from Long Island's thriving duck-farming industry which began in the late 19th century.

RCI-SC.007.0188.001

Lots of Punch Sauce

Recipe by Arleen Kaptur.

RCI-SP.003.0380.001

Loubia b'Dersa

Algerian chili

RCI-RC.001.0113.001

Louisiana Jambalaya

Makes 8 servings

RCI-SF.005.0030.001

Louisiana Rice Salad

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-BR.006.0176.001

Louisiana Roasted Pecan Pie

I first tried this at Cajun Connection in Utica, IL and immediately decided that I needed to master the recipe.

RCI-SP.003.0381.001

Louisiana Shrimp Gumbo

Makes 10 servings

RCI-SN.002.0191.002

Loukoumas

Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.

RCI-SN.002.0191.001

Loukoumas

Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.

RCI-VG.002.0076.001

Love Estate Potato Bake

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Love Estate in Sachse, Texas in 1984.

RCI-BV.008.0054.001

Low cal cocoa mix

Low cal cocoa mix from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0177.001

Low-calorie and Low-fat Cheesecake

This recipe is not the real thing but when I'm taking in 1200 calories/day and working out 2 – 3 hours/day training for competitions, I have to watch my calories! To even be able to have cheesecake is a rare treat!

RCI-SC.003.0121.001

Low-calorie Blue Cheese Dressing

Makes 1⅓ cups of dressing.

RCI-SC.003.0122.001

Low-calorie Buttermilk Dressing

Makes about 3 cups dressing for green salads. Will keep in refrigerator for 2 weeks.

RCI-SN.001.0242.001

Low calorie clam dip for vegetables

Low calorie clam dip for vegetables from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0309.001

Low-calorie Eggnog

Makes 10 one half cup servings

RCI-VG.002.0077.001

Low-calorie french fries

Low-calorie french fries from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0386.001

Low-calorie Low-fat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Low-calorie Low-fat Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.003.0125.001

Low-calorie Tomato Dressing

Calorie-counters who are hungry for flavor will find this a very satisfactory salad dressing. It is only 26 calories per tablespoon.

RCI-SC.002.0026.001

Low-carb Bearnaise Sauce

From "Healthy Recipes For Diabetic Friends Y-Group" Original recipe Yield: 4 servings, 1½ cups (6 tablespoons per serving)

RCI-SF.001.0219.001

Low Carb Catfish Broiled with Tomato, Onion, and Cheese Hash

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Yield: 4 servings

RCI-DS.002.0118.001

Low-cholesterol Hazelnut Crunch Ice Cream

Low-cholesterol Hazelnut Crunch Ice Cream from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.002.0027.001

Low-cholesterol Mock Hollandaise Sauce

Makes 1½ cups. 5 mg cholesterol per tablespoon.

RCI-BR.005.0387.001

Low-cholesterol Oatmeal Cookies

Low-cholesterol Oatmeal Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0259.001

Low-cholesterol popovers

Low-cholesterol popovers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0389.001

Low-fat Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe makes:

RCI-BR.003.0261.001

Low-fat Apple Walnut Bran Muffins

Low-fat Apple Walnut Bran Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0317.001

Low-fat Carrot Cake I

Low-fat Carrot Cake I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0390.001

Low-fat Cherry Cookies

Low-fat Cherry Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0319.001

Low-fat Devil's Chocolate Fudge Cake

This recipe for all of you healthy chocolate freaks. Note at the bottom, there is a method for making prune puree (very similar to the wonderslim product that no one can find).

RCI-BR.005.0391.001

Low-fat Fudgy Brownies

Low-fat Fudgy Brownies from the Recidemia collection