Salt and Pepper:
The Inside Scoop on The Essentials for Every Kitchen
Salt and pepper might seem simple, but the quality and type you choose can make all the difference in your dishes.
Starting from our new salt and pepper mills, which are still selling at a bargain basement price… I will show you how we’re filling them.
Our new Willow and Everett adjustable grinders (which went on sale on Amazon for Amazon Prime Day) to the incredible insiders’ culinary world of salts and peppercorns, here’s everything you need to know to elevate your S&P culinary basics.
Here’s the mills that I purchased: Willow and Everett.
1. Himalayan Pink Salt: The Ancient Crystal
Origins and Unique Properties: Sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, this salt is over 250 million years old. Its pink hue comes from trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
Flavor Profile: Known for its subtle mineral flavor, it’s less salty than table salt, making it perfect for enhancing rather than overpowering dishes.
Best Uses: Ideal as a finishing salt or for everyday seasoning. Its texture grinds beautifully in your new mill, adding a decorative flair to your dishes.
2. Four-Peppercorn Blend: A Symphony of Spice
Black Peppercorns: The staple with a bold, robust flavor. Black pepper is picked when almost ripe and then dried.
White Peppercorns: Earthier and less pungent, white peppercorns come from ripe berries with skins removed. Adds a refined, less fiery spice.
Green Peppercorns: Unripe and mildly spicy, these peppercorns are often used in sauces and marinades for a fresh, vibrant flavor.
Pink Peppercorns: Not true pepper, these bring a sweet, floral note and a pop of color to the blend.
Best Uses: Great for dishes where a balance of spice flavors is desired—try it on roasted vegetables, steaks, or homemade salad dressings.
3. Kosher-Style Flake Salt: The Chef’s Choice
Distinct Texture: Known for its larger, flat flakes, kosher salt is easy to pinch and sprinkle, offering control over seasoning.
Flavor Impact: Pure and straightforward, this salt doesn’t contain any additives, so it dissolves quickly and distributes evenly across foods.
Best Uses: Its flake size and texture make it perfect for seasoning meats before cooking, and it’s also favored for brines, pickling, and seasoning vegetables.
4. Pacific Sea Salt: Ocean Essence in Every Grain
Sourced from Pristine Waters: Harvested from the Pacific Ocean, this sea salt is renowned for its clean, bright taste and the trace minerals it carries.
Natural Purity and Richness: Pacific sea salt is minimally processed, often retaining more natural minerals, which can vary slightly based on the harvesting location.
Best Uses: Finishing dishes such as seafood, roasted vegetables, and desserts that benefit from a subtle crunch and pure flavor.
Choosing the Right Salt and Pepper for Every Dish
Grind Size Matters: Your Willow and Everett mills allow you to adjust grind size for different uses. A coarser grind is perfect for steak, while finer grinds enhance salads or sauces.
Flavor Pairing Guide: Consider pairing Himalayan Pink Salt with lighter dishes like fish and roasted vegetables, while the Four-Peppercorn Blend can amplify hearty meats or stews.
Storage Tips: Salt and pepper are best stored in dry, cool places to retain their freshness and potency, especially in refillable grinders like yours.
Salt and Pepper as the Backbone of Every Dish
Just as the best subscription olive oils elevate dishes, so too do high-quality salt and pepper bring out the essence of every ingredient. Experiment with these basics to discover how simple adjustments can transform your cooking.
Until next time...
I am... Phil Wilson...
And, here’s to living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!
p.s.
Here’s several other herb and seasoning replenishments. If you have not tried a freshly made blend of 5 Spice Powder… you have a treat in store!
