Salty advice and a recipe for Chevre with Cyprus Black Flake Sea Salt and Cacao Nibs
Salting as a deliberate act.
Sounds a bit intense. And for Mark Bitterman, it is. It's a call to action, a plan to banish bland food. "Think about salting as a deliberate act," says Bitterman, author of "Salted" (Ten Speed Press, 2010), a 312-page devotional to salt. "This isn't about being a fancy chef. It's about how to make every single food you eat in your daily life come alive." Because truth is, salt has a powerful effect on food. And just a little bit goes a long way. Here's Bitterman's tips to help you sort through the maze of salts that crowd the market. Salts vary in moisture, mineral content and the size and structure of their crystals, Bitterman says. Moisture dictates "mouth feel," while mineral content will play up or tone down a food's intrinsic qualities, such as fruitiness. Crystal size creates different sensations on the tongue.
I bought this as part of a flight of Japanese and Hawaiian salts to "snack" on during a prolonged fast. It tastes very unique and I enjoy it on cooking too.
I tried a sampler box of smoked salts and found the Pecan Smoked Salt amazing. As a result, I purchased a large bottle that now sits on my counter in easy reach while preparing food. I have always liked the smoked salts that The Meadow carries and have gifted them to others. But when I tried the Pecan Smoked Sea Salt for myself it was an unexpected delight. Now the salt finds its way into many of the foods I prepare. My new favorite.
Love the Meadow...been shopping with them since they first opened their New York store 20 years ago. Lately I've been driven to the dark side... dark chocolate. The darker the better and this is pretty dark. Most local chocolatiers will only go to 72%. This is 92. Not for everyone.
This single origin chocolate from Kona, Hawaii is perfection. One only needs to try a small nibble to be filled with the aroma and taste of a tropical treat.