The ocean provides flavorful salt that is ideal for finishing dishes.
Sea salt has become fashionable because it is a natural product, and tastes milder than table salt. Sea salt is available from many sources, from grocery stores to specialty retailers. It is available in varieties such as Celtic Grey and Hawaiian Red. However, you can make your own sea salt at home for free. All you need is some clean, unpolluted salt water and a large pot. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Gather sea water from an unpolluted area. There is no way to be sure if the sea water is unpolluted apart from testing it with expensive equipment, but if you gather the sea water from an area of coast that is not near a city or an industrial area you can be reasonably sure that it is safe to use.
2. Strain the salt water though a cheesecloth to catch any debris in the water. Then, pour the strained water into your large cooking pot.
3. Boil the water for 6 to 8 hours until most of the water has evaporated. Stir occasionally to prevent the salt from scalding at the bottom of the pan. Boiling the water kills harmful bacteria and speeds the evaporation process.
4. Pour the rest of the water and salt into a shallow tray. Place the salt mixture in a sunny location indoors where pets will not bother it.
5. Stir the salt occasionally to ensure that all of the water evaporates.
6. When it is completely dry, place the dried salt in a grinder or an airtight container. Sea salt picks up the smells and flavors of other spices in the cabinet, so you must protect it by sealing it in a container.
Tags: salt water, water from