"Pass the Salt please" eh? Salt? uhhhhh let's see if we have any.

[maxman]

We had some friends over for dinner the other day.
Friends we haven't seen for a long time.

Anyway, during dinner they asked for salt.

My wife and I were actually surprised. "uhhh, yeah... I think we have some... maybe..."
We searched high and low and found some salt that we put in a random shaker that just happened to be around and grabbed a pepper shaker that I've been using for the last 10 years.

We have a huge box of salt for baking. We need salt for baking.
We do not use salt for anything and never on the table.
Pepper occasionally when cooking but not on the table either.

I guess what you can take away from this is if you come over to my house for dinner....bring your own salt and pepper.

 

[inspiringK]

I guess what you can take away from this is if you come over to my house for dinner....bring your own salt and pepper.

^^Good to know.

I think a little salt is good. Actually, I have a kind of disconnect between real salt and the kind of salt that you find in boxed food. I don't really worry about using salt in baking or cooking (though once I put enough butter or Worcestershire sauce in anything I don't bother with adding salt). On the other hand, salt already added to preassembled food seems bad.

Salt used to bring out the flavours in freshly made food I'm good with. That being said - our salt container is about 1/4 the size of any other spice container and refilled less frequently than most.

Here's a link talking about why salt is good for you. http://empoweredsustenance.com/salt-is-good-for-you/
I haven't read it in full, it's just the first thing that comes up when I run the Google. I do feel like salt is good and essential, yet should be taken in moderation.

 

[maxman]

It's funny though. I have nothing against salt. It's in a lot of stuff and a lot of the seasonings we use though we do buy low salt or salt free when we find it.
I just never realized that we not only do we not use salt on the table, but we couldn't even find a salt shaker right away.

We just never, I mean NEVER put salt on at the table.

 

[Rockminer]

I don't salt anything either, with the exception of homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers. I love some fresh cracked sea salt on those. I can't remember the last time I used a salt shaker for anything else. I guess I'd fit in rather well at your dinner parties.

 

[jkingrph]

Growing up my mother had very high blood pressure, so it was recommended that she follow a low salt diet. As a result she added no salt to anything, so my dad, sister and myself always grabbed the salt shaker for everything before eating. After finishing school and joining the military, I learned to slow down with it, and later as I got older decided to quit salting everything as my BP started going up, although nothing like my mother's. I actually quit salting everything "cold turkey" so to speak and substituted black pepper. Now when we go to a restaurant, I can tell shortly after eating if they use a lot of salt.

 

[JazzyJ]

I'm the same way. I don't have anything against salt at all...I just never put on anything myself.

 

[inspiringK]

It's funny though. I have nothing against salt. It's in a lot of stuff and a lot of the seasonings we use though we do buy low salt or salt free when we find it.

That's the catch. Many of the mixed seasoning are packed with salt already, so there really is no need to add more salt. Whether it's "steak spice" or "chili", often they can be packed with salt - and dried garlic?

 

[Mike H]

I took a client to lunch recently, Mexican food. He would pick up a tortilla chip, dip in salsa, then salt it before eating. Every single chip !

 

[YetiDave]

You'd have some seriously bland food if you never salt anything. Salt is the single most important seasoning you can possibly use (it's also the one people tend to use very poorly) Not only that but it's kinda vital for this whole being alive thing. To be honest I never have it on the table either though, and I've never had anyone ask for it when they've been eating my food. Guess I must be getting the salt ratio right!

 

[-dave-]

Love salt! And it's good for you! Makes the arteries nice and hard, a hard arterie has to be stronger than a soft one!

 

[JoshuaNY]

I never have salt on the table either. So if you asked for salt at my house you would get my kosher salt bowl. Or perhaps sea salt if I have it

I believe food should be properly seasoned while cooking to bring out the favors of what one is eating. I make my own spice mixes which I never put salt in. Salt is done separately so I can control it.

I don't own a salt shaker, nor do I think table salt belongs in any kitchen, the crystals are too small. It gives your food a salty taste as opposed to bringing out the flavors of the food.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I never use salt at the table- pepper, on the other hand...

 

[Aristeros]

I cook with salt as part of seasoning things normally, but typically only a tiny amount compared to pepper or garlic. I do not typically shake it over food that is already cooked unless it is horribly bland, and even then I am far more likely to reach for hot sauce.

 

[BubblesTGB]

I typically will season with Himalayan sea salt as I go. We are fortunate enough to have a store locally - which is more than I can say for shaving supplies . If I season properly, we don't ever need salt at the table either.

 

[Chadao]

I live alone and usually cook for myself. So my food is seasoned for me when it comes to the table. I will occasionally entertain a single mom friend and her son. After tasting whatever I am cooking, if my mind says "needs salt" then I know it's right for her. I will put a little more salt on my portion.
And I am fond of salt. I used to be a sucker for all the different sel fleurs-nothing wrong with them--but my chef friends all use Diamond Crystal, so that's what I cook with. If someone at the table asks for salt, though, I will dig out one of the gourmet salts. Oh! I have one with black truffles that is terrific on fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.

 

[SiBurning]

I don't have a salt shaker either.

Any recommendations?

 

[mretzloff]

I don't have a salt shaker either.

Any recommendations?

If you are open to a grinder for courser salt, I really like the ones that Peugeot makes (I also like their pepper grinders).

 

[Rushman2112]

I don't often use at the table at home because i season my cooking properly, but it is rare to find a restaurant in Singapore where they use enough salt. The Min of Health has scared Singaporeans witless about the dangers of salt so they all like their food bland and complain if a dish is "saltish" (thats a word they made up here, "salty" would do for most English speakers but hey...).

 

[Kentos]

I salt all my food as it cooks, so we very rarely add salt to a plated meal. Once in a while I goof up so we add salt from a grinder.

 

[jones2289]

I use salt only to bring out flavors when cooking, or if following a recipe. I rarely salt food once it's on my plate, and try to buy low sodium or no sodium seasonings when possible.

However, I have a co-worker who will lift the bun of a McDonald's breakfast sandwich and pour on an entire packet of salt. Yes, I said a MCDONALD'S sandwich. The same guy will also use 1/2 of a small bottle of soy sauce for a meal at a Chinese restaurant.