27°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Seasonings greetings!
Sprinkle some good tidings on friends, family during the holiday season with sweet, savoury salt combinations
Popcorn salt combinations add a little spice to seasonal fare. (MATTHEW MEAD / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Savoury salt combinations (MATTHEW MEAD / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
It seemed like a tall order. I wanted an edible gift that was fast and easy to make, inexpensive, wouldn't spoil or need to be refrigerated, and that kids could be involved in.
With so many caveats, the field is pretty narrow. I'm not a fan of baking mixes, such as muffins or pancakes. Too much measuring and printing of recipes so recipients know how to use them.
Spice rubs are a good choice. Trail mix is another. But I've done those before and this year I wanted something different, something a little less expected.
The solution I came up with: seasoned salts. The concept is simple. Blend salt with various seasonings, then package them nicely. The kids can even get in on decorating the jars.
There are just a few things to remember as you do this. Most important is that seasoned salts -- whether prepared or purchased -- are intended as finishing salts. That means they should be used to season finished dishes, not during cooking. Most of the nuanced flavour of a seasoned salt would be lost if used for cooking.
For gift purposes, I suggest planning for two kinds of salt -- powdered salt, which is intended for use on popcorn, and flaked salt, which is for sprinkling over finished savoury foods.
First, the powdered salt. The powdered part of this is key. Movie theatre popcorn tends to be perfectly salted because vendors use powdered salt; this adheres to the corn kernels far better than even fine grain salt does. This is why your homemade popcorn usually is unevenly salted, and why you end up with a sea of salt on the bottom of the bowl.
Making powdered salt is simple. Use inexpensive kosher salt, then run it through either a food processor or blender (you also can use a mortar and pestle for smaller batches) until it reaches the consistency of powdered sugar. Seasonings can be mixed in by hand after the salt is ground, or simply added to the processor or blender at the same time.
When selecting seasonings for popcorn salt, don't hesitate to get creative, even mixing sweet and savoury flavours. But always aim to use seasonings with a similar texture as the powdered salt (in other words, finely ground seasonings such as cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder, etc.).
For flake salts intended to use on savoury foods, you'll need to start with pricier flaked sea salt. With these salts, you simply mix them with the seasonings you want, then bottle them. Even easier than powdered salts.
You also have more choice when it comes to seasonings. No need to worry about matching the texture of the salt, which in this case tends to be large and coarse. Finely ground seasonings or more robust dried herbs, or a blend of the two, all work well.
I've outlined a few suggestions for each variety, but this is a creative effort, so just explore your spice cabinet. Be sure to label your salts and include hints on what to use them on.
-- The Associated Press
Popcorn salt combinations
Each makes enough for 4 to 6 gifts, depending on jar size
.5 kg (1 lb) kosher salt, 6 7.5 cm (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, 10 ml (2 tsp) cayenne pepper (grind everything together)
.5 kg (1 lb) kosher salt, 30 ml (2 tbsp) pumpkin pie spice blend (mix the spice blend into the salt after it is ground)
.5 kg (1 lb) kosher salt, 20 ml (4 tsp) garlic powder, 20 ml (4 tsp) smoked paprika (mix the spice blend into the salt after it is ground)
.5 kg (1 lb) kosher salt, 37 ml (21/2 tbsp) Sichuan pepper (grind everything together)
Savoury salt combinations
Each makes 1 to 2 gifts, depending on jar size
125 ml (1/2 c) flaked salt, 10 ml (2 tsp) dried oregano, 10 ml (2 tsp) dried basil, 2 ml (1/2 tsp) red pepper flakes
125 ml (1/2 c) flaked salt, 45 ml (11/2 tbsp) fennel seed, 10 ml (2 tsp) cumin seed, 10 ml (2 tsp) mustard powder
125 ml (1/2 c) flaked salt, 10 ml (2 tsp) curry powder
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 14, 2012 D1
More Life & Style
- Back to Top
- Return to Life & Style
Poll
Most Popular Life & Style
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- 'WhatsApp Messenger' top paid iPhone app in Canada
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Airborne laser spots ancient city complex of roads, canals hidden under dense Cambodian forest
- Doctors say public purse and public health at risk because of government cuts
- Bark in the park more than a lark
- The old wooden church
- Pets of the week
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Apple's big week
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- Yaz and Yasmin pills linked to 23 deaths, say Health Canada documents
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- Small-town Ohio police chief gives quick repercussion for criminals through Facebook floggings
- Ontario workers who fear chemical made them sick told to file claim
- Doctors say public purse and public health at risk because of government cuts
- More than 400 people ordered to leave homes in Fort McMurray due to flooding
- Deadly liver cancer on the rise, but half of cases preventable: Cancer Society
- Climate change keeping early birds from getting worms: study
- Overabundance of carp threatening ecosystem at Saskatchewan's Wascana Lake
- Doc's memoir portrays ERs as frantic, funny, frightening ... but never dull
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Two dead, one injured after helicopter crashes north of Fort McMurray, Alberta
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Magazine's creator says style has no size
- Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the controversial abortion rights crusader, dead at 90
- The end of the credit card?
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- High on tea
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- 'WhatsApp Messenger' top paid iPhone app in Canada
- As more patients get lab-grown body parts, scientists face challenge of making complex organs
- Yaz and Yasmin pills linked to 23 deaths, say Health Canada documents
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- The old wooden church
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Turks and chaos
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Doc's memoir portrays ERs as frantic, funny, frightening ... but never dull
- Cramping their style
- Specialist moving to Toronto after 23 years at cutting-edge sleep lab
- Markdown maven tells world of Winnipeg deals
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Iron overload often missed diagnosis for heart problems
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Yaz and Yasmin pills linked to 23 deaths, say Health Canada documents
- His nose knows: City perfume maker can concoct your personal aroma
- Genealogical searches connect present to past
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.