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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.006.0098.001

Quinoa Salad with Dried Apricots and Baby Spinach

This spicy salad with little jewels of dried apricot in the mix would be welcome at lunch or a simple weekday dinner. You can prepare the salad and dressing ahead of time.

RCI-VG.001.0468.001

Quinoa Salad with Feta

Quinoa Salad with Feta from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1092.001

Quinoa, Shiitake Mushrooms and Adzuki Beans

Quinoa, Shiitake Mushrooms and Adzuki Beans from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0546.001

Quinoa Stew

Quinoa Stew

RCI-RC.006.0099.001

Quinoa with Latin Flavors

Cilantro, lime and scallions lend a bright finish to delicate quinoa. This is a versatile side dish.

RCI-BR.002.0091.001

Quornpitta

This recipe is my own (still under improvement) version on how to make a QE (quick and easy) alternative pitta. Dubbed the "VDP QE Quornpitta", this pitta is prepared with Quorn; its suitable to vegetarians.

RCI-SP.004.0256.001

Rabada

right|Rabada

RCI-MT.003.0075.001

Rabbit in Orange Sauce

300px| Rabbit in Orange Sauce This recipe is for 4 servings

RCI-SP.004.0257.001

Rabbit in Peanut Sauce

This recipe is for 4 serves.

RCI-SN.001.0308.001

Rabbit Paste

In Romanian: Pasta din carne de iepure

RCI-VG.004.1094.001

Radish and Butter Bean Salad

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pryor estate in Grapevine, Texas in 1996.

RCI-VG.001.0471.001

Radish and Orange Salad

Radish and Orange Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0472.001

Radish salad

right|Radish Salad

RCI-VG.001.0473.001

Radish Salad

right|Radish Salad

RCI-VG.001.0474.001

Radish Slaw

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 10 – 12

RCI-BR.005.0517.001

Ragged Robin Cookies

Purchased from the O'Banion Estate in Mesquite, Texas in 1984. Notation on paper indicates this is a family favorite and comes from the 1941 Purity Cookbooks. I took these to last year's cookie exchange and they were a huge hit.

RCI-BR.002.0092.001

Ragi Dosa

frame|Ragi Dosa is one of the traditional foods in Karnataka - India (especially South Karnataka).

RCI-SP.003.0550.001

Ragout of Beef

Makes 6 servings

RCI-MT.001.0210.001

Rahmschnitzel

Traditionally made with veal, schnitzel recipe can also be made with boneless pork loin or chicken breasts pounded into cutlets. The addition of the cream sauce makes it a rahmschnitzel. Serve with Spätzle and German Style Red Cabbage.

RCI-BR.008.0175.001

Raised Pancakes

Raised Pancakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0215.001

Raised Potato Doughnuts

Raised Potato Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0346.001

Raisin bran muffins

Raisin bran muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0216.001

Raisin Bread

Raisin Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0217.001

Raisin Bread I

Raisin Bread I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0475.001

Raisin Cheese Slaw

Fruit and Vegetable Recipes I by the south Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Yields about 4 cups.

RCI-BR.001.0218.001

Raisin Chocolate Kugelhopf

Raisin Chocolate Kugelhopf

RCI-BR.008.0176.001

Raisin Griddle Cakes

From my Grandmother’s Estate. Notation on card says this was one of several griddlecake recipes served at church breakfast fundraisers for years. Dated 1928.

RCI-RC.005.0071.001

Raisin 'n' Orange Oat Bran Cereal

Makes 4 servings

RCI-BR.006.0286.001

Raisin Rice Cereal

Makes 8 servings

RCI-BR.007.0106.001

Raisin Rolled Strudel

Raisin Rolled Strudel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0348.001

Raisin Scones

These scones are juicy with raisins, and the tart taste of buttermilk. With all the raisins, these biscuits are a sweet treat even without any toppings or spreads. You can enjoy them all on their own.

RCI-VG.004.1095.001

Raisin Spice Lentil Cookies

These cookies fill the kitchen with a delicious fragrance while baking. They taste great fresh from the oven with a glass of cold skim milk. Recipe From: Magic Beans, 1996 by Patti Bazel.

RCI-EG.003.0118.001

Rakott Krumpli

(potato casserole) baked in the oven, a popular dish in Hungary.

RCI-MT.005.0250.001

Ramadan Kebab

This special Ramadan dish will remind you of Gyros (Doner) with yogurt and is so easy to prepare. You can start making this 30 minutes before dinner. Use of garlic is one the best ways to make you want to drink water!

RCI-SC.003.0160.002

Ranch Dressing

Makes 3 1/2 cups, takes 15 minutes to prepare. This is a great dressing to use for, just not salads, but for sandwiches and as a dip with crudités.

RCI-SF.001.0295.001

Ranchero Catfish

A Catfish recipe.

RCI-SC.003.0163.001

Ranch-style Dressing and Dip Mix

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-SP.004.0259.001

Rappie Pie

Rappie Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.001.0051.001

Raspberry Omelet

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Hoffman Estate in Grand Prairie, Texas in 1992.

RCI-VG.004.1103.001

Ratatouille with Rice

Makes 6 servings

RCI-ND.003.0012.001

Ravioli with Spring Vegetable Purée

Ravioli with Spring Vegetable Purée from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0439.001

Ravishing Rhubarb Cake

Ravishing Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0440.001

Raw Rhubarb Cake

Raw Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1106.001

Red Beans and Rice Creole-style

Makes 10 servings

RCI-SN.001.0311.001

Red Beet Pkhali

Red Beet Pkhali from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0477.001

Red Cabbage and Baby Spinach Salad

Original recipe Makes 4 servings

RCI-VG.001.0478.001

Red cabbage salad

This is a delicious, traditional Dutch Side Dish

RCI-SP.004.0261.001

Red Chicken Stew

Red Chicken Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0198.001

Red Curry Chicken

Red Curry Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0137.001

Red Fried Potatoes

This recipe taken from www.Portuguese-recipes.com