Delicious Dish

by Carlen
Apr 16, 2016
4 min read

I was chatting with Carol about the "FOOD" category of our blog.

I have to be honest, cooking used to be my thing.

As in, a few years ago.

Let's face it, as moms winging it, our lives are hectic, despite our best planning and good intentions.

Nowadays, I cook quick, no-fuss healthy meals and it works for us. Taco Tuesdays! And maybe I'm fessin' up about Left-overs Taco Thursdays, too. Taco Bars are what I serve every friend that comes over for lunch, even if it's not a Tuesday. Or a Thursday. Honestly, just ask them.

One of my dreams is to own a Taco Truck. Not as a business. Just for me. I'd share it with people, of course. I would.

So in telling Carol about my lack of enthusiasm for fine cooking, our chat sorta drifted to reminiscing about the long-ago Saturday Night Live skit of an NPR Radio Cooking show many of you may know as pop culture.

credit: Saturday Night Live

Margaret Jo McCullen: Delicious Dish, you're on the air.

Caller #1: Hi! I just wanna say that I think your show is terrific… you know I've been making Corn Chowder for years and I've never EVER thought of putting carrots or potatoes in it. Where do you come up with these ideas?

Margaret Jo McCullen: Well, we both keep dream journals….[laughs]

Caller #1: Can I ask you a question? Are you ever gonna do a show on "SALT"?

Teri Rialto: Sure, we've actually got a two part that's coming up in December…

Margaret Jo McCullen: That will be great. Caller #1: I'll cancel my trip! Margaret Jo McCullen: Good… Both: Thanks for calling! Thanks for calling! Margaret Jo McCullen: That was fun getting a call. Teri Rialto: He sounded [laughs]… He sounded like a really nice person. Margaret Jo McCullen: He sure did…. he's neat… Teri Rialto: yeah… he sounded like a nice man. Margaret Jo McCullen: He sounded like lot of fun… Teri Rialto: Yeah… Margaret Jo McCullen: Good time, fun… Teri Rialto: Yeah…

Now Carol and I are no Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon, but after our laughing ceased, she practically pushed me to run over here and write for you about...

SALT!

Did you know there are MANY gourmet salts on the market some of us have never even heard of? Meeee neither!

So here are some thrilling new secrets, lol, I found out about this exciting ingredient!

Here we go.

#Goodtimes

Himalayan Pink Salt. This is your new basic everyday salt. Why? Because it is rich in minerals, contains more than 84 kinds, compared to ordinary table salt. It's also beautiful with a pink-reddish tint and should be 100% natural, free of impurities and toxins from the Himalayas. This pink salt can be fine or coarse and tastes similar to sea salt. Did you know it also comes in blocks of different sizes and is a new way to grill or stove top sear foods directly on the heated salt planks?

Alderwood, Cherrywood and Hickory Smoked Salts. These have been cold-smoked with specialty woods, each to give that distinctive smell and flavor. They should be void of harsh artificial liquid smoke. These salts are aromatic for a reason, pairing well with red meats, poultry and some veggies.

Chardonnay Smoked Salt is smoked in old wine barrels! It is smoky, slightly tart and savory. It tends to be a finishing salt and can be used on meats, fish or vegetables, and is also a wonderful addition to herb blends.

Hawaiian Black Lava Salt. Activated coconut shell charcoal is infused into this salt, which gives it a dramatic hue and unique flavor. Its silky black color makes it a great finishing salt for just about everything.

Black Truffle Salt. Made with the second most expensive mushrooms in the world (white truffles are first). This salt has the earthy character of Italian black truffles, and is often used in special sushi and seafood dishes. For these prices, I personally recommend you use it on whatever your heart desires!

Coffee or Espresso Salt. Not for the caffeine sensitive, this salt is known as the Chocolatier's Salt. It naturally enhances the flavors of chocolate. It is wonderful topping ice cream, cookies, cakes and brownies! Need I say more, let's stock up!

Whoooa, baby! Glad we made it through that wild round up!

Ok, here's my side note: keep in mind that all of these salts are used sparingly, so a little does go a long way.

Also, these quantities have a long shelf life, so it's a great culinary investment.

Hope you try out some new exciting salts in your cooking soon!

Remember, wars have been fought over salt and Gandhi himself marched all the way to the sea (the Salt March) to obtain his salt in protest of high salt taxes from the British!

Let us know if you have used any of these in your cooking or if one of your dreams is to have a Taco Truck too!