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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-RC.004.0184.002

Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng Nasi goreng (fried rice) is a popular Indonesian dish. It is easy to make an

RCI-RC.001.0135.001

Nasi Kunyit

It is called 'festive yellow rice' because it is traditionally served during a festival. Keeping with tradition, the Chinese would serve nasi kunyit to mark the birth of their newborn, or as an offering to the Gods.

RCI-RC.001.0136.001

Nasi lemak

Malaysian Cuisine

RCI-RC.004.0186.001

Nasi Lemak

Malaysian coconut rice

RCI-RC.004.0187.001

Nasi Lemak I

Rice with coconut milk. A very popular breakfast or lunch dish, this rice has a nice creamy taste and a fragrant aroma.

RCI-RC.004.0188.001

Nasi Lemak with Sambal Ikan Bilis

This is a typical Malay breakfast dish. coconut rice is best served at room temperature when the fragrance of the coconut rice can be best appreciated. Many different dishes maybe served with it but the most crucial is the chillie sauce.

RCI-SF.001.0252.001

Native American Catfish with Pinenuts

Native American Catfish With Pinenuts A Catfish recipe.

RCI-BR.002.0069.001

Native American Fry Bread

Native American Fry Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.002.0070.001

Native American Fry-Bread

Fry-Bread

RCI-MT.004.0595.001

Native American Game Hens

Native American Game Hens

RCI-VG.004.0949.001

Nauratan

right|Name of the Recipe

RCI-BR.002.0071.001

Navajo Fry Bread

Navajo Fry Bread

RCI-SP.003.0448.001

Nayama Tanzanian Soup

Nayama Tanzanian Soup

RCI-SP.004.0224.001

Ndizi na Nyama

Plantains with meat. Ndizi is the Swahili word for plantains. Nyama is the Swahili word for meat. This recipe can be either Ndizi na Nyama (plantains with meat) or Nyama na Ndizi (meat with plantains) depending on what's in the pantry.

RCI-SP.003.0449.001

Ndole Soup

Ndole Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.001.0039.002

Neapolitan Sauce

# Place bell pepper, onion, celery, garlic and oil in medium saucepan. # Cook and stir over medium h

RCI-SC.005.0115.001

Nepali Peanut Salsa

Nepali Peanut Salsa from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0223.001

Never Fail Fudge

This candy is very rich and very good! Since this candy is so rich, you may want to cut into very small squares.

RCI-BR.006.0216.001

Never Fail Pie Crust

This quick pastry is a no-fail recipe made easily with ingredients usually found in most kitchens. Be sure to use cold water and keep well-wrapped until ready to use.

RCI-SP.003.0452.001

New Brunswick Barley Soup

Contributed by Stephen Ceideburg * Makes 8 servings

RCI-BR.006.0217.001

New England Blueberry Pie

New England Blueberry Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.002.0138.001

New England Clam Chowder II

* Source: San Antonio Express-News, web posted: on 09/11/2007, adapted from Blount Seafood Corp. *

RCI-MT.002.0189.001

New England Sausage and Rice

Makes 2 servings

RCI-SF.002.0181.001

Newfoundland Lobster Salad

A quick but tasty Canadian lobster salad. Not much to say just one thing: make & taste !

RCI-SF.001.0253.001

New Orleans Fish Creole

Makes 6 servings

RCI-VG.004.0951.001

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

Recipe by: Elizabeth Powell Preparation time: 4:00

RCI-VG.002.0098.001

New Potatoes with Three-cheese Fondue

Although a fondue pot suits this recipe, it isn’t absolutely necessary. Simply put the fondue in a decorative microwavable bowl, and serve it warm. When the fondue gets too cold, just rewarm it in the microwave.

RCI-VG.002.0099.001

New Potato Salad

I like this because it is different from the usual homestyle and mustard types of potato salads. It's great for a change.

RCI-SN.001.0266.001

New Year's Guacamole

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-SN.001.0267.001

New York Gameday Guacamole

New York Gameday Guacamole from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0173.001

New York Steak au Poivre

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

RCI-BR.004.0373.001

New Zealand Kiwi Cheesecake

1 hour preparation.

RCI-MT.003.0066.001

New Zealand Lamb

1 serving New Zealand Lamb

RCI-SP.002.0139.001

New Zealand Pumpkin Soup

If we travel and I find pumpkin, this is the recipe I indulge in! 4-6 servings.

RCI-MT.003.0067.001

New Zealand Roast Lamb

New Zealand Roast Lamb

RCI-MT.002.0191.001

Niamiha Cutlet

Niamiha Cutlet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SW.001.0054.001

Nicoise Tuna Sandwich

Nicoise Tuna Sandwich from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0268.001

Nigerian Avocado Dip

Serve as a dip or a spread with assorted breads and crackers.

RCI-SP.004.0226.001

Nigerian Beef-Spinach Stew

Nigerian Beef-Spinach Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0176.001

Nigerian Chicken Salad

Use up leftover Chicken! Best when allowed to chill for a couple of hours.

RCI-SN.001.0269.001

Nigerian Eggplant Dip

serves2

RCI-SP.005.0175.001

Nigerian Groundnut Stew

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

RCI-SP.005.0176.001

Nigerian Groundnut Stew I

Makes 6 servings. Nigerians would more traditionally start by grinding peanuts rather than using peanut butter.

RCI-RC.004.0191.001

Nigerian Jollof Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-MT.004.0598.001

Nigerian Main Dish

Nigerian Main Dish from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0221.001

Nigerian Ojojo

Nigerian Ojojo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0599.001

Nigerian One-pot Chicken Dinner

Nigerian One-pot Chicken Dinner from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0227.001

Nigerian Pepper Soup

A Delicious meat pepper soup which can also serve as a stew or sauce.

RCI-SP.004.0228.001

Nigerian Pumpkin Pork Stew

serves 2-3

RCI-SN.003.0177.001

Nigerian Suya

Nigerian Suya from the Recidemia collection