Is there anything more delightful than the smell of fresh herbs and spices mingling in your kitchen? Lately, I’ve been totally obsessed with the idea of making my own flavored salts! I mean, who would’ve thought that a pinch of this or that could totally transform a dish? Just the other day, as I stood there chopping rosemary from my little windowsill garden, I couldn’t help but wonder why I hadn’t tried this sooner. Wouldn’t a sprinkle of lemony sea salt on my grilled veggies be heavenly? Plus, it feels so rewarding to create something unique that’s not just tasty, but also a bit personal, right? I can already imagine gifting jars of vibrant pink Himalayan salt infused with garlic and herbs to my friends. So, why not dive into this flavorful adventure together?
Items You’ll Need
- Mortar and Pestle
- Salt (kosher or sea salt)
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons
- Air-tight Jars or Containers
- Food Processor
- Herbs and Spices
- Grater or Zester
- Oven or Dehydrator
- Labeling Stickers
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment
First things first, I gather all my ingredients and equipment. I have my kosher salt, a variety of fresh herbs and spices, my trusty mortar and pestle, and my food processor ready to roll. I also have my mixing bowls, measuring spoons, and some air-tight jars for storing my delicious flavored salts.
Step 2: Choose Your Flavor Combinations
The fun begins! I rummage through my herbs and spices. I decide to mix some rosemary and garlic for a savory salt, and some lemon zest with dill for a bright, zesty salt. Oh, and I can’t resist making a spicy chili salt too!
Step 3: Prep the Herbs and Spices
I start by chopping up my fresh herbs. I grab my grater and zest a lovely lemon, letting the aroma fill the kitchen. I chop some garlic as well, feeling the energy of all these fresh flavors coming together.
Step 4: Measure the Salt
Now it's time to measure out my kosher salt. I typically use a ratio of 3 parts salt to 1 part herbs or spices. For example, I scoop 3 tablespoons of kosher salt into a mixing bowl for my rosemary garlic salt.
Step 5: Combine Ingredients
In goes the freshly chopped rosemary and minced garlic into the bowl with the salt. I give it a good mix with my spoon, feeling the textures blend together. For the lemon dill salt, I add the lemon zest and chopped dill with the salt, making sure everything is just right!
Step 6: Pound with Mortar and Pestle
I pour the salt and herb mixture into my mortar. With great enthusiasm, I start grinding the mixture with my pestle, crushing the herbs and garlic into the salt. The scents are divine, and I imagine all the delicious dishes I can make with this!
Step 7: Dehydrate for Extra Flavor (Optional)
For my lemon dill salt, I decide to dry it out a bit. I spread it on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven at a low temperature. After about 20 minutes, I check it and it’s perfectly dried out, intensifying those flavors even more.
Step 8: Store the Flavored Salts
Once everything is mixed well and dried if needed, I scoop the flavored salts into my air-tight jars. I feel proud as I see my flavorful creations come to life!
Step 9: Label and Enjoy
The final touch! I grab my labeling stickers and labels each jar with the name of the flavored salt and the date. Now they’re ready to spice up my cooking adventures! I can't wait to try them out on grilled vegetables and meats.