Finishing Salts 101 with My Fabulous Food
At My Fabulous Food, we offer a wide variety of high-quality, gourmet finishing salts to elevate the flavor of your dishes. Click here to shop My Fabulous Food's luxury finishing salts. My Fabulous Food's luxury finishing salts are extremely popular and were featured as one of Oprah's Favorite Things!
What did Oprah have to say about My Fabulous Food's finishing salts? "The red grains in Alaea salt get their color from baked clay and make a fine finish for any dish, while the dark grains in black lava salt come from volcanic charcoal, whose smokiness complements grilled steak. This duo is literally the salt of the earth." - Oprah
Finishing salts are a great way to add a touch of elegance and complexity to your cooking, and they can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your food. One of the best ways to use finishing salts is as a final touch. A sprinkle of My Fabulous Food's flake salt over a dish just before serving can add a nice crunch and a hint of saltiness that helps to balance the flavors of the dish. This works particularly well with dishes that have a lot of natural sweetness, such as grilled vegetables, fruit salads, and chocolate desserts.
This article will explore the best uses and sample recipes for nine different types of finishing salts: Black Lava, Alaea, White Truffle, Black Truffle, Smoked Alderwood, Porcini, Black Garlic, Fleur De Sel, and Flake.
Black Lava Salt: Black Lava Salt is a unique type of finishing salt that is infused with activated charcoal. It has a unique, black color and a mild, smoky flavor. Black Lava Salt is perfect for finishing sushi, avocado toast, and cocktails. It is also great as a rim salt for Margaritas.
Alaea Salt: Alaea Salt is a traditional Hawaiian salt that is used in the island's cooking. It is made by mixing sea salt with red Alaea clay, which gives it its distinctive color and flavor. Alaea salt is perfect for finishing grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, soups, and stews.
White Truffle Salt: White Truffle Salt is a luxurious finishing salt that is infused with the earthy, pungent flavor of white truffles. It is perfect for finishing pasta dishes, risotto, and eggs. A small amount of White Truffle Salt can also be used to add a touch of elegance to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Black Truffle Salt: Black Truffle Salt is another luxurious finishing salt that is infused with the rich, earthy flavor of black truffles. It is perfect for finishing pasta dishes, risotto, and steak. A small amount of Black Truffle Salt can also be used to add depth of flavor to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Alderwood Smoked Salt: Alderwood Smoked Salt is a type of finishing salt that is smoked over alderwood. It has a unique, smoky flavor that is perfect for finishing grilled meats, vegetables, and soups. It can also be used to add a smoky flavor to cocktails like a Bloody Mary.
Porcini Salt: Porcini Salt is a flavorful finishing salt that is infused with the earthy flavor of porcini mushrooms. It is perfect for finishing pasta dishes, risotto, and steak. A small amount of Porcini Salt can also be used to add depth of flavor to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Black Garlic Salt: Black Garlic Salt is a unique type of finishing salt that is infused with the sweet and savory flavor of black garlic. It is perfect for finishing pasta dishes, risotto, and steak. A small amount of Black Garlic Salt can also be used to add depth of flavor to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Fleur de Sel: Fleur de Sel is a French sea salt that is hand-harvested from the surface of salt ponds. It has a delicate, flaky texture and a subtle, slightly sweet flavor. Fleur de Sel is perfect for finishing salads, seafood, and desserts. It can also be used to add a touch of elegance to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Flake Salt: Flake Salt is a type of finishing salt that has a delicate, flaky texture. It is perfect for finishing pasta dishes, seafood, and desserts. A small amount of Flake Salt can also be used to add a touch of elegance to a salad or a piece of grilled fish.
Here are a few sample recipes that you can try using these different types of finishing salts:
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Grilled steak with Black Lava Salt: Season 2 (8 oz each) sirloin steak with 2 tsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of garlic powder, and 1 tsp of black pepper. Grill the steaks over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Allow the steaks to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle a pinch of Black Lava Salt on top of each steak before serving.
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Roasted vegetables with Alaea Salt: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut 2 bell peppers, 1 onion, and 2 zucchinis into bite-sized pieces. Toss the vegetables with 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of smoked paprika, and 1 tsp of black pepper. Spread the vegetables out on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle a pinch of Alaea Salt on top of the vegetables before serving.
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Risotto with White Truffle Salt: In a medium saucepan, heat 4 cups of chicken broth over low heat. In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 1 cup of Arborio rice, and stir until the rice is translucent. Slowly add the hot chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until the rice is tender. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of White Truffle Salt before serving.
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Old Fashioned with Black Truffle Salt: Rub the rim of a glass with an orange peel and dip it in Black Truffle Salt. Muddle 1 sugar cube and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in the bottom of the glass. Add 2 oz of bourbon and a large ice cube. Stir and garnish with an orange peel.
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Grilled Salmon with Alderwood Smoked Salt: Season 2 (8 oz each) salmon fillet with 2 tsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of garlic powder, and 1 tsp of black pepper. Grill the salmon over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle a pinch of Alderwood Smoked Salt on top of each fillet before serving.
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Wild mushroom pasta with Porcini Salt: Cook 8 oz of your favorite pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pan, sauté 1 diced onion, 8 oz of sliced mushrooms, and 2 cloves of minced garlic in 2 tbsp of butter until softened. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in a pinch of Porcini Salt and a handful of chopped parsley before serving.
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Roasted garlic mashed potatoes with Black Garlic Salt: Peel and chop 6 cloves of black garlic. Boil 4 medium-sized potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes with the black garlic, 2 tbsp of butter, and 1/2 cup of milk. Stir in a pinch of Black Garlic Salt before serving.
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Lemon Tart with Fleur de Sel: To make the crust, combine 1 1/2 cups of crushed graham crackers, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of melted butter. Press the mixture into a 9-inch tart pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F. Allow to cool. To make the filling, whisk together 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1 tbsp of grated lemon zest. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350°F. Allow to cool before serving. Sprinkle a pinch of Fleur de Sel on top of each slice before serving.
- Chocolate truffles with Flake Salt: Melt 8 oz of chocolate in a double boiler. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool in the fridge for 2 hours. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle a pinch of Flake Salt on top of each truffle before the chocolate hardens. Allow the truffles to cool completely before serving.
These are just a few examples of how you can use these different types of finishing salts in your cooking. With a little practice, you'll be able to use them to create delicious and elegant meals that will impress your guests. Try experimenting with these recipes and finding your own unique way to use finishing salts. They are a great way to enhance the flavor of your dishes and elevate your culinary creations. Click here to shop My Fabulous Food's luxury finishing salts.