
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)
Mashed Potato and Rutabaga Casserole
12 servings Mashed Potato and Rutabaga* Casserole
Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
This recipe comes from Montréal, Québec Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group Makes 6 servings
Mashed spinach with fried eggs
In Romanian: Pire de spanac pentru ochiuri.
Masoor Dahl Soup
Masoor Dahl
Massa Sovada
Portugese Sweet Bread Contributed by Cat's Recipes Y-Group
Matambre II
This dish is normally served refrigerated with the beef very cold, which makes for much easier slicing and serving.
Matar Paneer
Serves 3.
Matar Paneer
Serves 3.
Matar Paneer I
Cottage cheese with green peas
Matar Pulao
Peas pilaf
Matata
Clam and peanut stew. Matata is a typical Mozambique entree made with pumpkin leaves. We have used spinach as a substitute. This is one dish that wasn't influenced by the cooking of Portugal.
Matjeri Masala
Matjeri Masala from the Recidemia collection
Matki Chi Usal
Ethnicity - Marathi, West Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner
Matzo Joshawk (Passover Soup)
Matzo Joshawk (Passover Soup) from the Recidemia collection
Matzo Mango Kugel
Matzo Mango Kugel from the Recidemia collection
Matzo Meal Latkes
Matzo Meal Latkes from the Recidemia collection
Matzo Meal Pancakes
These are kosher for Passover
Maui Sweet Potato Bake
An island flavored side dish! It can be prepared in advance - cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or wrap in foil and freeze for up to a month. Defrost overnight in fridge, bring to room temperature (2 hours) then bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
Maya Angelou's Banana Pudding
Created by Maya Angelou
May Day Cookies Tippaleivät
May Day Cookies Tippaleivät
Mayonnaise (cheap version)
Although Mayonnaise is not a Dutch invention, it has become a staple with Dutch chips. Of course the Dutch have made a cheaper version of Mayonnaise, which is easy to make.
Mayonnaise I
In Romanian: Maioneza
Mbaazi wa Nazi
Mbaazi wa Nazi from the Recidemia collection
Mbatata Cookies
Malawi is known as the "warm heart of Africa" due to the friendliness of Malawian people. These cookies can be cut in the shape of hearts to commemorate the Malawian people.
Mbika
Dishes made from the seeds of gourds, , pumpkins, and squashes are termed as Mbika in the Central Africa's Congo River region.
Mbika with Meat
Mbika with Meat from the Recidemia collection
Mchuzi wa Biringani
Mchuzi wa Biringani from the Recidemia collection
Mclean Estate Great Northern Bean Soup
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Mclean Estate in Irving, Texas in 1982.
Mdammas Aljazar
Mdammas Aljazar from the Recidemia collection
Mealie Soup
Corn soup Serves 6
Meat and Potato Pie
Hi GWS, my names AceClown and I'm going to show you how I cook a traditional English meal. The pie! Or to be more exact a meat and potato pie with winter vegetables. This dish came about during WW2 and in the rationing period that followed.
Meat Arepas
Meat Arepas
Meatball - Appetizers
This is a wonderful little appetizer we serve after Christmas Midnight Mass in our house.
Meatball Biryani
Recipe by Hooked on Heat
Meatballs and Gravy
Meatballs and Gravy from the Recidemia collection
Meat Balls Cassoulet
Makes 6 servings
Meat Balls I
Meat Balls I from the Recidemia collection
Meatballs II
Meatballs II from the Recidemia collection
Meat Balls in Tomato Gravy
Meatballs and a unique sauce, great served with your favorite Pasta, or as meatball subs on a crusty bread, with melted mozzarella and dipped into sauce.
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce with Onion, Garlic and Spices
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 4 servings
Meatballs Lihapullat
(for four - five persons) Meatballs Lihapullat
Meatball Soup
This soup beefs up the health by using chicken with lean beef to lower the fat.
Meatball Soup I
Meatball Soup
Meat Balls Stroganoff
Makes 6 servings.
Meatballs with Honey Lime Sauce
Meatballs with Honey Lime Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Meat Balls with Sauce Verte
Makes 4 servings
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce Try these very tender meatballs over baked spaghetti squash or low-carb pasta.
Meat Borscht
It is cooked for several hours on a low flame and its pungent aroma penetrates every corner of the home. It has become popular to serve hot borscht at parties at the stroke of midnight. No one wanting to miss this treat will go home before that hour.
Meat Cakes
Nice for a picnic.
Meat Casserole
This is for 4 servings