PopSugar

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Homemade Flavored Salt

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:40:47 PST

Salt is one of those essentials in any kitchen, and it can take any dish from OK to amazing with just a quick sprinkle! This holiday season, spend just a few hours making your very own flavored salts for an easy edible gift. The process is simple and the possibilities as to the flavorings are pretty endless. I made three different varieties including roasted garlic salt, meyer lemon salt, and shiitake salt.

The roasted garlic and meyer lemon salts both took a little longer to make, but the shiitake one's incredibly simple and would work with just about any dried herb, from dried mushrooms to chili flakes to rosemary. When combining a salt with a flavoring that is a little more moist like roasted garlic or citrus, you will need to dry it out in the oven for a short period.

I must admit out of my three, I fell in love with my roasted garlic salt; the flavor is more complex than your average garlic salt and is epic on french fries. The meyer lemon salt is more mild but perfect for fish, chicken, and basically anything that needs a hint of citrus. The shiitake version has a very distinct aroma and would be delicious sprinkled on a soup or any dish with mushrooms. Pick up a box of kosher salt at your local market and start concocting your very own flavored salts this holiday season.

Get these incredibly easy recipes when you read more.

Does This New Finding Make You Rethink Your Salt Intake?

Leta Shy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:43:30 PST

Every day new studies tell us what to avoid or what new superfood should be helping us. One thing that's been constant has been limiting our daily salt intake. But a new study suggests that you may not need to care about your salt intake.

The study, published in the Journal of Hypertension, reviewed data and found that while patients who reduced their salt intake lowered their blood pressure, lower sodium intake led to higher cholesterol and adrenaline levels, among other measurements, all of which can affect blood pressure or heart rate. The study didn't look for whether these effects led to higher rates of heart attacks or strokes.

The average American eats much more than the 2,300 mg of per day (about a teaspoon) recommended for healthy adults (at-risk groups should eat 1,500 mg a day). We've always been told that limiting the amount of salt in our diets is important, and experts say this hasn't changed - it's just that some people are more affected by high sodium levels than others. Does this new finding make you rethink your salt intake?

How to Curb Salt - but Not Flavor - in Your Cooking

Susannah Chen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:50:35 PDT

By now you're probably familiar with MyPlate, the government's new food pyramid replacement; in case you hadn't heard, based on the updated guidelines, Americans are consuming far more sodium than they should. And new research suggests that overconsumption of salt affects cognitive function. High blood pressure, water retention, and stupidity? That's too much to bear. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to cut down on salt in the kitchen without impacting the deliciousness of your dinner. See a few easy steps, when you keep reading.

How to Reduce Your Sugar and Salt Cravings

Leta Shy — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:57:03 PDT

It's an endless cycle: satiating your salt and sugar cravings can end up with you just wanting more. Once our taste buds get used to sugary or salty foods, it's hard to cut back. Since most of us are eating way more than the recommended daily values for sugar (six teaspoons of added sugar a day) and salt (1500 to 2300 mg a day) - not to mention the sugar and salt levels hiding in processed foods - cutting back on these addictive ingredients is important.

You can put me in the over-salter group. Whether it's a stir-fry or chips and salsa, I find myself craving salty foods all the time. Lately, however, I've been trying to cut back on my sodium intake, and I've been realizing just how hard it can be.

Are you also a big fan of salt or sugar? Read on for some tips that have helped me cut my cravings.

Morning Links - Angelina Jolie to Make a Salt Sequel!

PopSugar — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:04:00 PDT

Angelina Jolie will be back in Salt 2! - Huffington Post
Prince William and Kate Middleton look for household staff! - People
Think Heather Graham's new movie for kids could be a hit? - Rotten Tomatoes
What's the real story between Jessica Biel and Gerard Butler? - Lainey Gossip
John Travolta takes off with baby Ben - PopEater
Kate Gosselin reveals what exactly she wants in a man - TooFab
All the details on Nikki Reed's engagement ring - Us Weekly
Did you know Colin Firth writes about neuroscience? - Wonderwall
X-Men star and Jennifer Lawrence boyfriend Nicholas Hoult worries he'll never work again - Celebitchy
It's hard to recognize Raven-Symoné now - Amy Grindhouse
Jada Pinkett Smith talks about her marriage to Will - Lifeline Live
Jennifer Garner has a ladies' lunch in LA - I'm Not Obsessed
Find out where Paris Hilton is placing blame for her show's low ratings - The Blemish

How to Cut Sodium Without Sacrificing Flavor

Susannah Chen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:57:04 PDT

Readers, fuzzles wants your advice! She loves food and cooking, but needs to cut down on the salt. "What are your favorite low sodium products and tricks for a tasty lower sodium diet?" she asks. "I've had to get serious about this issue!"

We couldn't agree more. Just like sugar, salt has snuck its way into our diets in every way possible, so we've been watching our sodium intake, too. FitSugar has plenty of suggestions, like avoiding any foods that include salt as one of the first five ingredients, avoiding soda and sport drinks, and opting for low-sodium products. Personally, I try to stay away from anything in a can that I can obtain fresh, like vegetables or beans; those typically have tons of added sodium.

Did I miss anything? How do you cut down on your salt intake when cooking and dining out?

Do You Measure Salt and Pepper?

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:20:11 PDT

I'm a huge fan of recipes, and while I love adapting them, I equally enjoy following the exact instructions. However, the other day I had a random realization: I never measure salt or pepper. Even if a recipe calls for a specific amount, I prefer to season to taste. How about you? Do you take the time to measure salt and pepper if a recipe calls for it?

Vanessa Hudgens Is a Fan of Himalayan Salt - Are You?

Heather Dale — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:11:25 PDT

In April's issue of Shape magazine, actress Vanessa Hudgens talks about her healthy new lifestyle, which includes regular workout sessions and making delicious, wholesome meals. Her new favorite meal: spinach salad with grilled chicken or salmon, almonds, feta, truffle oil, and Himalayan sea salt.

Interesting that Vanessa is dashing her dishes with Himalayan salt, but it leaves one curious if this flavor enhancer offers more than regular ol' table salt. According to Dr. Barbara Hendel, the coauthor of Water and Salt: The Essence of Life, Himalayan crystal salt is pure, natural, and contains elements found in the ocean. Table salt, on the other hand, is made of only two elements - sodium chloride - and other substances to keep it from clumping in the salt shaker. Himalayan salt contains many minerals, similar to those found in the human body. "The [Himalayan] salt accomplishes many things throughout our bodies . . . It's not only sodium and chloride. It's about 84 minerals in this salt," says Dr. Hendel.

When asked why salt is refined, she explains that 97 percent of all the salt produced is for industry purposes, not for health or cooking purposes - so don't be shy of the chunky salt crystals! You can pick some up at Trader Joe's for less than $5 to see if it adds more than just flavor to your meals. If you're curious about sea salt, learn how it differs from table salt here. Just be sure to take all of this info with a grain of salt - pun intended.

How Much Sodium Is in These Soups?

Leta Shy — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:05:05 PST

The FDA recently changed its recommendations for our sodium intake, reducing the daily max to about a teaspoon of salt a day (2,300 mg.) for healthy Americans. And while the Winter weather means that soup's on, that warm liquid meal is often the source of too much sodium.

Whether it's a homemade healthy soup or a canned variety, understanding the amount of sodium in these salty culprits may make you rethink your soup menu. Here are five popular international soups and their sodium content. Since too much sodium in your diet can lead to hypertension and heart disease, do you need any more reasons to not salt the pot and use only low-sodium stocks?

Yummy Links: From Tomatoes to Salt

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:42:41 PST

A major freeze in Mexico will significantly increase tomato prices. - Wall Street Journal
Also expect to see a rise in the price of cheap beef. - The Consumerist
Learn how to keep salad greens fresh. - The Kitchn
Saveur magazine is now reviewing restaurants. - Eater
Gourmet's Italian Kitchen has hit newsstands. - Gourmet Live
Must make: spinach, provolone, and pepperoni calzone. - Serious Eats
What model Selita Ebanks eats in preparation for Fashion Week. - Grub Street NY
Vote now for the People's Best New Chef. - Eatocracy
An easy way to take your food to the next level? Use good salt. - The Atlantic